Age group(s) for this recipe:
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School

Estimated time:
If you have one of these toy ovens in your home, you already know that saving time with one is sort of a laughable concept. The time-consuming elements include finding a particular product in the store, plugging in the oven ahead of time to let it warm up, finding the special pan in the bottom of the toy box or under the sofa (if you are lucky, it surfaces), greasing the pan, waiting thru "is it done yet???" being asked every 30 seconds, and cleanup.

Number of servings:
One Box Betty Crocker Stir n' Bake = 6 bags mix

Ingredients: (Hit your return key to start a new line)
Betty Crocker Stir n' Bake cake mix is the only type I have found that is an "add water" only type of affair. It comes with a cute little disposable pan the size of the box, and a packet of frosting.

The cake this mix produces when used as per instructions is pricier than ordinary mixes, considering its size, and tastes different. Sweeter, maybe. Stores can't carry all available brands, and this type is not available consistently in all regions. It may be seasonal; it would be a convenience to be able to slip a cake back into a box and pack it along for a picnic, then toss the box and pan later.

Back to EZ Bake toy ovens:

One box of Stir n' Bake mix can be divided evenly into 6 tiny ziploc bags. This will be a scant 1/3 cup of mix in each bag. (It is easier to subdivide any remainder than to spoon out of the first 5 bags to make the 6th a full portion).

Directions:
The li'l pan needs to be greased and dusted with flour. Depending upon the child's age and coordination, the adult may want to quietly do this while the child mixes. (Globbers of Crisco on the outside of the pan would have an evil burning smell, and too much inside would ruin the cake.) Tap excess flour out.

The child can mix the product in a small bowl, with a standard spoon. Add 4 teaspoons of water to the mix. If this seems too thick, add only enough to make it a smoother mix. Watery batter is not a plus.

Let this little cake bake for 13-15 minutes. The heat source is a light bulb. Timing varies according to how much batter the child actually gets into the pan. Filling much over half full isn't recommended. Set a timer. Read a little story book or two.

Other suggestions and comments:
The toy oven does get hot! Safety is the paramount issue. The child needs oven mitts, supervision, etc., at all times.
In fact, if the child is too young to have any comprehension of the words "No!" and "Wait!", do not allow the child near this "toy".

Of secondary importance: once the cake has been shoved out of the oven compartment, it really can't be jammed back in again. The "in" slot is not as high as the "out" slot, and the top of the cake would smoosh off, creating a royal mess that will involve unscrewing the entire unit for interior cleaning, which is not the icing on the cake of any parent's day. The view window on these ovens could be better! If the cake is not entirely done, but sets up enough to remove from the pan, the parent can try to ease it from the pan to a napkin and zap it very briefly in the microwave to finish the job. With practice, you'll get better at assessing "done" by timer, viewing, and sense of smell.

Test the oven before the baking session. It is dismal to get the batter in the pan and discover too late that the light bulb won't function.

Interest in these toys waxes and wanes. Perhaps only parents who had one or coveted them as a child understand the fascination. Even if parents don't provide them, Grandparents might. Or, the neighbor has a garage sale, and your child sees a toy oven there. The neighbor smiles a twisted grin and says, "c'mon, Mom/Dad. Just 25 cents!" Much like Barbie, the original setup is not expensive. The toy company's mixes are pricey, and not especially tasty. My kids didn't care for their cookie mixes in the least. "Gross" about covers it.

Subdividing a box of "real" cake mix means the frosting packet isn't likely to last for 6 baking sessions. One other "frosting" option my son likes is Jif chocolate and peanut butter spread, right out of the jar, so I don't necessarily even bother to cut open the frosting packet. We save it for cupcakes or graham cracker sandwiches some other day.

Because each "easy" bake session takes just as long as producing a real cake, another option is to let the child help with a standard (water, oil, eggs added) mix as much as possible, then let the child spoon out enough batter to fill that little pan. That just isn't quite the same for some kids; that's why I got crazed enough to divvy up the Stir n' Bake product. Our experience has been based primarily on yellow cake, but as I recall, I have seen it in chocolate, possibly carrot, and brownie.

These toy ovens should be stored in an out of sight, out of reach, secured area, especially if your child is of a highly independent nature. The risk of fire or injury is enough, but in addition: "out of sight is out of mind". For the adult, playing with these can be fun, or just one of the many sacrifices made as a parent, but some busy days it's not even an option.

If the "pusher" thing (for inserting and removal of the pan) breaks, and duct tape won't do the job...or it gets lost entirely, a long-handled wooden spoon can be used by the adult to insert the pan, push it thru, then "catch" it at the exit.

If you thinks this sounds too complicated, I agree with you 100%, but we all do crazy things for love.