Say it with Cake

Whether you send an email, text, tweet or Facebook message, in today’s day in age, there are a million ways to say “I’m sorry.” But can anything truly top an apology cake? The gal in this 1957 advertisement for Betty Crocker Devil’s Food Cake Mix certainly sets the bar high with her “valiant try”—a dinner of expensive steak, French fries and a “splendiferous” cake “that whispers two words so potent” the offended will “leap right out of his chair.” 

Fast forward 57 years, and apology cakes are still a thing—though the ones that go viral have a decidedly more offensive bent—and the expectation of who’s responsible for baking them has opened up to include all genders and ages. And all the while, with easy-to-make mixes, frostings and recipes at the ready, Betty’s been there to help us smooth things over, one delicious forkful at a time. 

Have you ever made up with an apology cake? If so, we’d love to hear about it!

Be sure to check out our Vintage Betty page for more great blasts from the past! Can’t get enough of all things old-school? For more great stories of General Mills’ most iconic brands, also check our Tumblr for daily posts.