Betty Crocker is an advertising character that was created in 1921. Originally, "Betty Crocker" was just a signature used to personalize responses to inquiries. The first official portrait of Betty Crocker was created in 1936. The portrait has been updated seven times to reflect current styles: 1955, 1965, 1969, 1972, 1980, 1986 and 1996.
The 1948 postcard above has the 1936 portrait of Betty Crocker and shows one of the five Betty Crocker Kitchens that were at General Mills in Minneapolis at that time. This is the Terrace Kitchen which was used for general testing, preparing luncheons for distinguished guests, and trying out new recipes under typical home conditions.
The first ad, for Betty Crocker Cake Mixes, is from a 1952 American Family magazine and also has the 1936 portrait. This ad answers some "important questions" about cutting a cake, using fresh eggs, and sifting confectioner's sugar.
The 1948 postcard above has the 1936 portrait of Betty Crocker and shows one of the five Betty Crocker Kitchens that were at General Mills in Minneapolis at that time. This is the Terrace Kitchen which was used for general testing, preparing luncheons for distinguished guests, and trying out new recipes under typical home conditions.
The first ad, for Betty Crocker Cake Mixes, is from a 1952 American Family magazine and also has the 1936 portrait. This ad answers some "important questions" about cutting a cake, using fresh eggs, and sifting confectioner's sugar.
The second ad, for Gold Medal Flour, is from a 1955 American Home magazine. This ad has the updated 1955 portrait of Betty Crocker and a recipe for "Bon Bon Cookies." Santa Claus (bottom right) has a suggestion for "Mr. & Mrs. America" to "This Year Give Food."
More Information:
General Mills - The History of Betty Crocker (pdf)
Betty Crocker Website
love that vintage postcard and the yummy recipes..fabulous graphics!
ReplyDeleteOh boy, those Bon Bon Cookies sure do look delicious! I love the old ads too. I like to buy old magazines just to look at the ads! The kitchen on that postcard is huge!
ReplyDeleteHappy VTT!
What an interesting and informative blog. I enjoy hearing the history on various items. You did a great job researching Betty Crocker. Glad you left me a comment. Your are welcome anytime.
ReplyDeleteThose cookies look amazing! Thanks for all the BC history; I love learning that stuff.
ReplyDeleteLove the Betty Crocker questionnaire. That is so interesting. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh those bon bons! So pretty. I'm not much of a baker but I do follow Bakerella's and she makes things like that. I tried one of her recipes for cake balls and for the life of me I cannot understand how they make everything look so nice. You should check it out because she makes some fun stuff.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bakerella.com/
P.S. I am not associated with her in any way.
I wish I had kept my old cook books-I gave them away!
ReplyDeleteLike old magazines it's fun to read them
Love those Bon Bon cookies, they too
ReplyDeletegood to eat! I learned how to cook
from an old Betty Crocker Cook Book.
Thanks for the memories!
Love the postcards and the ads... and those cookies looked awfully good.
ReplyDeleteI always thought there really was a Betty Crocker. Looking at the old cookbooks is fun, things have changed so much!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! The 1955 Betty Crocker is the one I remember-it was fun to see her earlier "self"!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipe-I saved it, I've always wanted to know how to make those bon-bon cookies!
Great ads, it was fun to see how the character was updated.
ReplyDeleteLove it! I am so going to make these bon bon cookies for christmas this year!
ReplyDeletelove these ads...aren't old magazines and advertisements so neat?! I love them!
ReplyDeleteeeeek. The bon bon advertisement is adorable!
ReplyDeleteI have a Betty Crocker cook book from the 70's, and her picture on it is a little more updated even than the last one you showed here.
ReplyDeleteI'll say this for old Betty - - - she has some pretty good recipes and tips in her cook book!!!
Did not know that good old Betty was for advertising purposes only!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Living it up at Lakewood,
Cindy
Oh wow, loved this post! And would love to find that post card and frame it. I will keep a look out for those ads too!
ReplyDeleteHappy vtt!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteHappy VTT. Thanks for coming by for a visit. Loved your collection of Betty Crocker ads. The Betty Crocker book on my kitchen shelf is my moms from the 50's.
Debbie
This is really cool! I had some neat old cook books...I wonder if I still have those around somewhere...
ReplyDeleteVery interesting and informative post!
ReplyDeleteBoy, you can sure tell what the priority was for women back in the day.
ReplyDeleteI have been reassured lately that more young women are still interested in home cooking.Maybe things will turn back around.
I love this post!! All the desserts just look divine don't they....I love vintage ads, they are so charming.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend and a wonderful VTT!
Love the pics and now I'm hungry for some candy cookies!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing and Happy VTT!
I want to try those bon bon cookies! thanks for enlarging the recipe so I can!
ReplyDeleteI'm just getting around to visiting the VTT blogs. It's always so fun to see what everyone is showing.
ReplyDeleteJocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/