Just like many little girls, back in the days, i was looking forward to learn to cook, and mostly to bake. Of course, baking cookies, or a cake was a dream for me. That is, until i got my own "oven": the famous "Easy Bake" oven.
Baking with a light bulb
I was quite intrigued when i saw my Mom place two bulbs in my new oven. Sure, i wanted to see my cake rise, but how it is going to cook? I was 7 when i got that oven for my birthday and at that time, i didn't realize that the heat from the light bulbs could be enough to bake something (i knew it was hot to the touch, but to heat something?)
A few mixes
The oven came with a few mixes for cake and icing, cookies and brownies. Each mix was good enough for one 4 inch cake, or a dozen 1 inch cookies or maybe 3 normal size cookies. They were tiny mixes and it didn't take long for me to go through them, as you can imagine.
Birthday cake
A couple of weeks after getting this oven, it was my Mom's birthday, so guess who baked the birthday cake? Yes, it was me, with my new skills and equipment. I remember my Dad helping me decorate the cake and put little candies to shape the number 31 for my Mom's 31st birthday.
Upgrading to the oven
I am not sure how long i used this oven, but i know i had it until we moved, at age 10. During the move the oven was given away to a cousin, i was told, but it was ok because i had already graduated to using the real kitchen oven for baking cakes and cookies, using larger box mixes from Betty Crocker.
This is it
This is the actual model of oven i got, although different, more modern versions have come afterward. I remember that aqua color! I found out, with some quick research, that this model was created in 1963.
Did you ever get a toy oven to bake? Or did you start cooking and baking right from the real thing? Share your story in the comments below.
2 thoughts on “Remember when…? – Baking”
I remember when I was very young I wanted to cook. My very first dish was yellow Jello. I was allowed to do every part, except pouring the boiling water. I was about 4.
When the Easy Bake ovens first came out, I wanted one so bad!! I was about 10, so I had helped in the kitchen a lot, but it was NEW, and I wanted one. My Mom took me to the store, and we looked at one for a long time. She pointed out the tiny size of the cake pan, and made me figure out how big the pieces of cake would be for 6 people. We then went and got a good cake mix, and I made a real cake, all alone, even using the big mixmaster.
I still love to bake!
I am sure you cooked better cakes in the real oven!!! and surely had bigger portions too!