A Look Back at the History of Easy-Bake Ovens

Raise your hand if the first time you baked a cake solo was in the Easy-Bake Oven (thought so). This classic toy was first introduced to the world in 1963 and has created thousands (millions?) of mini desserts and happy stomachs over the past five decades. But just like kitchen decor has changed drastically over the years, so has this mini oven. Take a spin through the different looks of one of our favorite toys:

1963

The very first design was a bright teal color with an itty bitty stovetop. It used a incandescent light bulb as a heating source that got up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and launched in November — just in time for Christmas shopping season.

1971

This clunker looked like many kitchens from the '70s with its avocado green color and faux-wood paneling. We're sure little girls loved baking in mini versions of their mom's spaces.

1973

A few years later, this deep red model came out. Notice the Betty Crocker branding? They're the company behind the cake mixes sold for the toy and had flavors like German Chocolate to Rainbow Chip even back in the day.

1981

A boxy yellow design gave life to a mini microwave, cleverly called the "mini-wave," complete with a knob and numerical buttons. Fun fact: It was also the first version Todd Coppee owned — he's the author behind the award-winning book about the toy, Light Bulb Baking.

1993

Circa the 30th anniversary, Hasbro upped the ante with the Snack Center, which featured a new, sleeker design and more recipe options.

2003

But forget cake or snacks, the Easy-Bake Real Meal Oven let kids make dinner — like pizza, pasta, and nachos — and replaced the previous light-bulb cooking method with a heating element.

2006

Sadly, this adorable front-loading design was recalled, because there were reports of kids getting their fingers caught in the opening. While cute, it was one of the biggest flops in Easy-Bake history.

2011

A few years later, this bright purple model with a much more modern (and almost outer space-like) look hit the market. We hope you like it, because it's the same style that's on shelves today.

2013

Not into purple?  Don't worry: Thanks to a 13-year-old girl who campaigned for a gender neutral design (she just wanted to get her littler brother an Easy-Bake Oven that wasn't pink or purple for Christmas!) this black beauty is available, too.

From: Good Housekeeping US


By Lauren Smith

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