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1949: WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
The First Bake-Off®
First called Pillsbury’s Best Grand National Baking Contest, the 1949 event brought 100 finalists to New York. Every contestant received at least $100 and kept the G.E. stove they baked on; Eleanor Roosevelt presented the $25,000–$50,000 grand prize, as a special guest of honor.
THE ORIGINAL SETUP
A Ballroom, 100 Ovens
The first contest packed a ballroom with 100 ovens—and drew power from New York City’s subway.
Installing 100 oven stations in the Waldorf-Astoria ballroom—and powering them with New York City’s subway supply—was an engineering feat. Every contestant received at least $100 and kept the G.E. stove they baked on; the grand prize ranged from $25,000 to $50,000, including bonuses.
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1950s–1960s: A BAKING LEGACY
Recipes Made History
From kitchen favorites to baking icons, these recipes helped the Bake-Off® live beyond the contest.
From Peanut Blossoms to Tunnel of Fudge Cake, Bake-Off® recipes became kitchen legends—shaping holiday tables, product innovation, and the way home cooks shared their best ideas.
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