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A look back at the Easy-Bake Oven
The Easy-Bake Oven has countless fans around the world, and many of them went on to become accomplished chefs, as this WNYW report from February 2, 2003 explains.
Few toys have remained as popular over time as have the Easy-Bake Oven.
The pop culture staple has a dynamic history, with many different models and features spanning more than 60 years. Here is a look back at the hit toy:
Easy-Bake Oven history
The idea for the Easy-Bake Oven was born from seeing pretzel vendors on the streets of New York City in the early 1960s.
Anticipating parents’ safety concerns, then-maker Kenner substituted two 100-watt light bulbs for a heating element to minimize the possibility of burnt fingers.
FILE - Easy-Bake Oven by Hasbro (Photo by Matthew Simmons/WireImage for Silver Spoon (formerly The Cabana))
In 1963, the original Kenner model, a turquoise range with a carrying handle and pretend stovetop, retailed for $15.95, according to Hasbro.
Five years later, the ovens were a household name and another household name joined the mix: Betty Crocker. The food brand began offering a line of miniature boxed Easy-Bake mixes, from Devil’s food cake to Bisquick pancakes.
Various colors and models were offered throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s, to reflect design trends. For example, an avocado green model was the rage in 1971 and the oven entered the ‘80s with a sleek, orange, white and brown design.
In 1991, the Kenner Easy-Bake became the Hasbro Easy-Bake Oven when the two companies merged.
Throughout the ‘90s, more and more snack items were added to the mix, such as nachos and Pop-Tarts, along with decorating accessories.
In 2006, the Easy-Bake Oven was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame.
Today, more than 30 million Easy-Bake brand ovens have been sold. Hasbro’s current model is sold exclusively at Walmart and retails for $44.97.
How does an Easy-Bake Oven work?
The Easy-Bake has two distinctive features: the push pans and its light bulbs.
The treats are mixed in a small baking pan, and then pushed into the oven with a special, elongated tool. When the treats are fully baked, the pan is pushed out of the oven.
Over time, some Easy-Bake Oven models have switched from cooking by light bulb to using a heating element.
A food ‘renaissance’
Hasbro says an Easy-Bake Oven is a great way for kids to learn kitchen skills, such as how to follow recipes, measure ingredients and take safety precautions in the kitchen.
It’s also a great tool for letting kids play while having an adult experience.
Alison Barshak, a James Beard award nominated chef & former restaurant owner, told FOX 5 WNYW in 2004 that she believed the "restaurant renaissance" in America was thanks to Easy-Bake Ovens.
Celebrity chef Bobby Flay has also been outspoken about having an Easy-Bake Oven as a kid, and told The Today Show in 2004 that he owes his career to it.
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