Betty Crocker and Norman Rockwell

I've been looking at old radio scripts from some of Betty Crocker's numerous radios shows. Cooking School of the Air wasn't her only show. Mercy me, no. (as Grandma would say) This one is fantastic, she was interviewing Norman Rockwell. He would go on to paint a portrait of Betty that was not ultimately chosen. I write about it in my book, Finding Betty Crocker.
 

Betty Crocker Secret History

There was so much secret Betty Crocker history that I couldn't include in my book, nor my documentary film because it would have reflected negatively on the current brand. At least that was the fear at the time, mostly coming from lawyers. 

But that doesn't mean those stories are lost. They're in the process of being resurrected in a new way. Expect some intriguing secret history to come your way soon! And if there's an aspect you want included, please let me know!

Documentary film and book on Betty Crocker

One of my favorite moments from my documentary film on Betty Crocker - The Betty Mystique. If you want to see the whole doc, just reach out and I'm happy to send you a link.

Where's the Cake?

My first documentary film 

My master's thesis turned book on Betty Crocker

Happy Vintage Valentine!

Happy Vintage Valentine!

New Betty Crocker project in the works!

A photo from my research pile. A new Betty Crocker project is cooking. Good thing I saved all the research I compiled for my book and documentary film. I could seriously open up a Betty Crocker museum. (Update: I donated a lot of my research to the General Mills archives and the special collections at the Hennepin County Library)  

Poor poor Betty Crocker

Things have gotten so bad for Betty Crocker that she made the front page of the local newspaper for failing. That's got to be a first for one of the most powerful brands in the world.

General Mills just can't figure out how to get America baking again. Too bad they don't ask me because I wrote the book on her.

Here's a hint Betty Crocker's people, go deeper and get smarter. What you're doing isn't working. When did it work? And why? If you really can't figure out it, get in touch with me but this time, it won't be for free.

(FYI Betty's people ask me to consult for FREE every six months or so...presumably because they are so broke they can't afford consultant fees.  Poor, poor Betty Crocker)

Dear Betty Crocker executives of 2016, this is also a hint! Love, Susan Marks

Vintage Betty Crocker and holiday baking traditions!

Are you ready for some holiday baking? My family's annual Fudge Fest is this weekend. We travel to my parents' house to make my Grandmother's homemade fudge recipe - with numerous modifications. Last year a journalist and photographer covered the Marks Family Fudge Fest! The newspaper was doing a series on holiday baking traditions.

Note the Betty Crocker apron at Fudge Fest!

Recently I talked to two account executives from two different food companies. Both of them expressed great interest in getting customers back to the good old days of baking. 

After years and years of listening to people's stories about Betty Crocker/baking with mom/vintage cookbooks/etc,  I can say with great confidence that I know what's important to people in this nostalgia baking realm and I could get people baking again. However, I don't just give my ideas away, so if a company wants me to consult, they need to hire me. 

There's something so special about holiday baking especially the way it honors those we've lost and still love very deeply! 

Happy Holiday Baking!

 

 

Vintage Betty Crocker NOT wearing red

Have I ever mentioned how much I love it when Betty isn't wearing red? I haven't no idea why it gives me such a thrill. In the archives at General Mills there are a few painted portraits of Betty wearing green and blue. Wouldn't it be great if they brought some of these portraits back?

Vintage Betty Crocker Coronation Cake

When's the last time you made a Coronation Cake? That's what I thought. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Can't get enough of "glamorous" cakes? You should check out my book on Betty.

Betty Crocker in the Kitchen

Don't you just love this dishwasher wrap? Read all about it here!

Turns out a former Betty Crocker Kitchen staffer lived in this house and the newest owner got her Betty on in a very creative way.

Baking, Blue Ribbon and Betty! Whisk Factor at TPT

Read Klecko's take on the event and more here!

What a great event Justin Madel put on for TPT's Whisk Factor. The Minneapolis/St. Paul PBS affiliate station, TPT, really knows how to put on an event!

It was Baking, Blue Ribbons and Betty and I presented with Master Baker, Danny Klecko and the reigning Blue Ribbon/Sweepstakes winner - Marjorie Johnson.

We met some great people who are very interested in the Baking Renaissance and we even talked to some great folks from General Mills.

And the baked goods that were served - compliments of Klecko and Justin - were sublime. I even got to sample the treats Marjorie submitted to this year's  Minnesota State Fair baking competition. They were really, really good. Wow. I wouldn't be surprised if she were to add more ribbons to the 2000 she already has.

For the record, Marjorie was as sweet, funny, entertaining and adorable as ever. Who knew behind the "little old lady" persona beat the heart of one savvy and fierce competitor. I wish I had an I love Marjorie Johnson button to wear to the Minnesota State Fair!

Happy Baking!

Feeling Betty Crocker

 

 

This week is all about Betty. I'm getting reading for the big Baking, Blue Ribbons and Betty event at TPT a week from today. And I'm being interviewed for an internet radio show called A Taste of the Past. And finally, I'm writing a chapter for the Oxford Companion to Sweets. Remember what I said about Betty choosing me?

Baking, Blue Ribbons and Betty!

 

I'm talking Betty as this very fun event! I even got the honor of naming it! Find out more here.

Betty Crocker rocks!

People are always interviewing me about Betty Crocker and most of the time we are talking Betty's history. But occasionally the interviewer wants to talk about Betty today and I'm sort of stumped on what to say. I mean, Betty Crocker today is just so boring.

Well, I've changed my tune as of today. Betty Crocker of 2013 is not boring, she rocks. She supports same-sex marriage in Minnesota! She's even serving up her famous cake. Thank you, Betty!

Listen for yourself right here! Watch here!
Read here!

And let love rule!!

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.

Merry Kitschmas!

If you're more Martha than Betty, this site is not for you. But if you, like me, cannot get enough of Kitschmas, consider this an early Kitschmas gift. 

Fun Forums

Love the online forums that talk about my book, Finding Betty Crocker. This forum is particularly fun because it is part of the Betty Crocker website.

A little update, I'm working away on the Munsingwear book. It's going well. Of course, the rest of my friends are enjoying their summer while I'm a slave to history writing, but other than that, it's going well.

Reading anything good this summer? I recommend anything by this author!

Advertising Icons

Taking a small break from Betty to write about another advertising (and Minnesota) icon - Musingwear. I hope you enjoy the imagery.