National Easy-Bake Oven Day is celebrated on November 4 every year. Baking in an Easy-Bake Oven is a satisfying and rewarding experience. You know what we’re talking about if you had one as a child. If you didn’t, it’s never too late. Pretending to be an adult is fun when you’re a kid (also, the only time it is exciting). And the Easy-Bake Oven provides the ideal recipe for playing a fairly accurate game of pretend. The early models of Easy-Bake Ovens utilized the excess heat from incandescent bulbs to heat the oven — talk about innovation. Dry powdered mixes, sold with the oven and separately, are used to prepare the cookie dough.
History of National Easy-Bake Oven Day
Who would have thought that bulbs could bake cookies? Yet someone did. At Kenner Products, a salesman named Norman Shapiro returned from a sales trip with the inspired idea of making a toy oven using incandescent bulbs that would bake cookies. During his sales trip, he saw street vendors keep pretzels warm using a contraption that employed light bulbs. Eventually, his idea reached the ears of Ronald Howes of the “Give-A-Show Projector” fame.
For the ones who are scoffing at the thought of baking using light bulbs, with the right design, the temperature can rise up to 350 degrees Celsius. In 1963, the iconic Easy-Bake Oven quickly became the hottest selling product. Ever since, it has continued to receive the love of children. More than 500,000 Easy-Bake Ovens were sold in the first year. By 2013, 30 million Easy-Bake Ovens and 150 million packets of cookie mix (and other mixes) were sold. That’s a lot of tiny meals from tiny chefs.
Some tiny ovens had also appeared before Easy-Bake came along. They used wood pellets as fuel. However, they were not as efficient or safe as our culinary star here. The Easy-Bake Oven was quick to win the trust of parents, who found the idea of cooking using a lightbulb harmless.
National Easy-Bake Oven Day timeline
The first batch of Easy-Bake Ovens is launched.
The bulb is replaced with a coil due to a government rule that mandated lightbulbs must have better energy efficiency.
A 13-year-old girl starts a petition for a gender-neutral color for Easy-Bake Ovens; the oven is then released in black and silver.
The day is created to celebrate the simply brilliant Easy-Bake Ovens that kids love.
National Easy-Bake Oven Day FAQs
What is a good age for an Easy-Bake Oven?
The Easy-Bake Oven is suitable for children aged eight and above.
Is the Easy-Bake Oven discontinued?
Easy-Bake Ovens continue to be sold by the toy manufacturer Hasbro.
What is the difference between the Easy-Bake Oven and the Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven?
The Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven is bigger than the Easy-Bake Oven, allowing bigger portions of delectable meals to be cooked.
National Easy-Bake Oven Day Activities
Bake some cookies
Pull out that Easy-Bake Oven from the attic, garage, or storage and bake some cookies smelling sweet of nostalgia. Enjoy mixing the ingredients and creating the dough; the overall process is absolutely delightful. And in the end, you get to eat your creations.
Try out a new recipe
You can try the ones sold by Hasbro (the company currently making the Easy-Bake Oven) or make something unique from scratch (we hear there is a cookbook available). You have an opportunity on this day to try something new.
Throw a tea party
If you have kids, this will be one memorable day for them. After baking the cookies, dress up and throw an elegant tea party and let your inner child out on this day.
5 Fun Facts About Easy-Bake Ovens
The price tag of the oven
The first Easy-Bake Ovens were sold for $15.95.
The Toy Hall of Fame
Easy-Bake Oven received a place in the Toy Hall of Fame in 2006.
Gourmet recipes
There is an “Easy-Bake Oven Gourmet” cookbook with unique recipes suitable for cooking in the Easy-Bake Oven.
Heating problem
A number of burn cases in children were reported following the switch from a light bulb to a heating element in 2006.
An ‘All-Time Great Toy’
It was named one of the ‘100 All-Time Great Toys’ by “Time” magazine.
Why We Love National Easy-Bake Oven Day
It reminds us of happy times
This day reminds us of our childhood and the wonderful times spent in pretend play as chefs. A trip down the memory lane of simple and happy childhood days is always welcome.
It celebrates simplicity
Empty the contents of the packet and add some water, and the mixture is ready to cook (though its edibility remains questionable). This day is a celebration of simpler times. So have fun doing this uncomplicated activity.
It’s not on a screen
With tangible and realistic results, motivating kids to steer their eyes away from the screen is easier. And, who doesn’t enjoy watching the dough rise?
National Easy-Bake Oven Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | November 4 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | November 4 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | November 4 | Thursday |
| 2028 | November 4 | Saturday |
| 2029 | November 4 | Sunday |
