Nostalgia is really having a moment lately — with ballet music boxes, Y2K fashion, and celestial decor from the ’90s trending. You don’t have to actually remember old-school products to feel nostalgic attachment to them; just knowing that something is from (or inspired by) the past can bring about feelings of comfort. You can revisit the charm of simpler times in all sorts of ways, and holiday gift-giving is a great time to do just that. One retro item now available at Sam’s Club is sure to please the people in your life who have a sweet tooth — no matter how old they are, or how well they can cook. I’m talking about the Easy-Bake Oven.
What Is the Easy-Bake Ultimate Toy Oven?
The Easy-Bake Oven is a mini “oven” designed for youngsters that uses an electric heating element to transform batter mix (sold separately) into sweet and savory treats like cookies, cakes, and pizzas without the hazards of conventional ovens. It was first introduced in 1963 and has since gone through many redesigns over the years, so the Easy-Bake you had when you were growing up may look nothing like the Easy-Bake your mom or younger cousin owned.
The one being sold at Sam’s Club is emblazoned with a colorful pattern and retails for $34.98. It doesn’t resemble a traditional oven; if anything, it looks sort of like a cross between a boom box and a toaster oven. It’s about 20 inches long, 9 inches wide, and 10 inches high, so it should easily fit on most tables or countertops as long as they’re near an outlet.
Although “toy” is in the name, you can indeed make real treats in your Easy-Bake Oven, which is why it’s meant for children ages 8 and up. There are thin openings on the left and right side, so you can slide your creations in and out without burning your fingers, and instead of a temperature dial, there’s just a simple “on” and “off” switch. However, because this is an electrical toy with a heating element, make sure to handle it with caution to prevent any burns or electric shock. Adult supervision is recommended.
An Alternative to Shop if You Don’t Have a Sam’s Club Membership
Sam’s Club is a warehouse store that technically requires a paid membership to shop there — even online. There are ways to get a Sam’s Club membership for cheap, but if you don’t want to commit, it’s not the only store you can find an Easy-Bake at. You can find the same Easy-Bake Oven on Amazon — but at $159.99, it’s far, far more expensive. It does come with four baking mixes and a mini whisk, but that still doesn’t quite justify such a steep price. You can also try to search for it on eBay, which has a mix of newer and vintage Easy-Bake models, including some listed as brand-new.