Oh Domestic Science no one appreciates you enough!

7th December 1964: From left to right, Susan Andrews, Christine Brain, Jennifer Paxton and Judy Evans, four pupils of the Clarendon School in South Oxhey, Hertfordshire display the Christmas cakes they have designed and created in their Domestic Science class

West High School domestic science class 1926 | Denver Public Library 

For my book Finding Betty Crocker I did a lot of research on the Domestic Science and Home Economics Movements and some days, I just feel so nostalgic for the good ol' days that I never actually experienced - save for a 6th grade home ec unit that strikes me as some sort of dream now.

Betty Crocker Vintage Baked Alaska Recipe

 

Betty Crocker's Baked Alaska recipe has a special place in my heart because it is the only thing I remember baking in  my 6th grade  Home Ec class. At the time, Home Ec was mandatory for all 6th graders at my school. I was in a "pod" of 4 students in Kitchen Station #1. My pod mates were Brenda Bliss, Kyle Holen and one other male student that I can't seem to remember. (A lovely side note: I'm still great friends with Brenda and Kyle!) 

The Baked Alaska mystified me. How could we put ice cream in the oven without it melting all over? It particular, I remember whipping up the meringue. It took forever. And the Baked Alaska turned out beautifully. 

Years later, while writing Finding Betty Crocker, I reflected on my one Home Ec memory quite frequently. And I was surprised to hear a former Betty Crocker home economist tell me about serving Baked Alaska at the Betty Crocker Search for the All-American Homemaker of Tomorrow Scholarship banquet the year Alaska became a state. (I know what year that was, do you know? Without googling it? )

It was no easy feat to whip up hundreds of Baked Alaska for the banquet, but, of course, Betty's staff pulled it off without a hitch.