Betty Crocker, an invented persona and mascot, is a brand name and trademark of American food company General Mills. The name was first developed by the Washburn Crosby Company in 1921 as a way to give a personalized response to consumer product questions.

Commentary on Betty Crocker website and free 2008 calendar at bettycrocker.com/2008

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Turns out black people are just the untapped market Betty Crocker's been searching for. Or, as the food giant's press release puts it: "Black-eyed peas cornbread salad. Sweet potato pie smoothies. West African peanut stew."

When I heard this, I was shocked. I went into my kitchen and checked the cupboards and the refrigerator. MSG was in everything ; the Campbell's soups, the Hostess Doritos, the Lays flavored potato chips, Top Ramen, Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, Heinz canned gravy, Swanson frozen prepared meals, and Kraft salad dressings, especially the 'hea

My mom had plenty of cookbooks around the house — she was a dietitian, after all — but I loved that the Betty Crocker book was meant just for kids.