The 1990s:A Culinary Melting Pot

By the 1990s, recipes entered in the Pillsbury Bake-Off^® Contest reflected a fusion of ethnic flavors with traditional American cooking. Tastes had grown more international, and formerly unusual ethnic and "gourmet" ingredients and flavors had entered the mainstream.

The number of men participating continued to grow. In 1996, 14 of the 100 contest finalists were men. Perhaps even more significant, the first Bake-Off^® finalist to win the $1 million Grand Prize in 1996 was a man.

Entries reflected the growing interest in quick, simple ideas. New recipe categories focused on easy preparation and included a broader array of Pillsbury products to encourage solutions to everyday cooking challenges.

MILLION-DOLLAR WINNER! An easy make-ahead recipe is a fun and impressive dessert for your next gathering.

Entertaining is simply the best with winning recipes from the Bake-Off^® Contest from easy appetizers to decadent desserts.