My Cooking Tool- The Microwave Oven

Do you remember the Easy Bake Oven of the 70s? My oldest sister had one. I used to gaze longingly as she brought out her Oven, stirred the mix, popped the little pan into the Oven and ceremoniously placed the finished product on the table. Oh, how I wished that were mine! Unfortunately, I never got to experience the thrill of making my own Easy Bake Cake - as daughter 3 of 3, by the time I was old enough the Oven was long gone, never to be replaced.

Ah, but recently I discovered how to fulfill my Easy Bake Oven dream without actually buying one. How, you ask with bated breath? All I need is my microwave oven!

Now don't be disappointed. I know most of you only use your microwave for defrosting and reheating. But, add a Greeting Cake from The Greeting Cake Company, LLC and your microwave really is the Easy Bake Oven reincarnated.

I discovered this on Father's Day 2005, when my 6- and 3-year-old daughters decided to make a Greeting Cake for my husband. We had a Greeting Cake kit from Anita DeFrank of http://www.EasyBakeGreetings.com . The girls loved it because every thing was just their size. Our kit came in a clear 4" round microwavable container and included instructions, white cake mix, chocolate frosting mix, a cute little spoon (a la Baskin Robbins), a small mixing container, sprinkles, a candle and confetti! The cover label had a smiley sun and "Have A Nice Day!" on it; had I thought of it advance, I would have gotten a "Happy Father's Day" label instead.

In less than 10 minutes, we were done. (Total duration will vary depending on how many sprinkles stick to little hands and need to be licked off one by one.) We presented Daddy with his very own cake, song and all. Daddy is a dessert connoisseur and so we waited expectantly for his review…thumbs up! Hurray for us!!

Find tips about growing peppers and pepper pictures at the Fruits And Vegetables website.