EZ Bakes

What do you know about Easy Bake Ovens? I learned a few new things today. First of all, they are in hot demand at Christmas time. Little girls around the ages of 5-9 decide they need one to bake cookies.  Second, they are not as simple as they sound. Third, they can become a sore spot if two or more people choose this as their gift to the little girl. A serious miff can occur if she opens one 24 hours before she was supposed to open another one. Questions, like “how could you do that? didn’t you know I was going to give her the EZ Bake?” No, not many people worry about what someone else is giving a child. Chilidren are easy to please and can tolerate duplicates or replacements. Adults seem to be less adaptable!!

Yes, adults like to give them. However, many parents do not like to see them unwrapped. A wave of dismay and disbelief washes over their faces, because 9 times out of 10, they were planning to overlook this Santa wish. It reminds me of the time I sent headbands that could be made with various looks. My daughter in law said quite simply, “Next time this comes in the mail, you need to come with it!” Ha Ha

Why are they special? They are economical, if you don’t have to buy a lot of those little mixes. They are educational, since they help children learn the steps to cooking. They could be instrumental in a future baker’s life. My daughter told me that she was interested in cooking at that age and she loved her Easy Bake Oven. I can’t say I felt the same. It always filled me with angst- the mess, the electric cord, the reading and timing and general unknown. Things can and do go wrong. I worried about her burning her fingers. After all, there is a big Danger Danger Danger written in black marker on the oven. She didn’t worry about anything. She just had fun, baking and creating, tasting and admiring her handiwork.

I am not a natural cook. She inherited that talent from someone else in her lineage. I will say baking from a tube of pillsbury cookie mix is no easier for me. Take a look at these. Which looks better? I don’t really think there is a whole lot of difference. So, the Easy Bake Oven is “their size” and serves an important purpose in learning and growing.