Tag: Blue Ribbon Group

Mocha Cake & Cupcakes

Mocha Cake & Cupcakes: If you want to be a blue ribbon baker, bake this Minnesota State Fair 1st place winning recipe. The batter has both freshly brewed coffee and espresso powder in it, plus cocoa powder. As a result, the cake’s flavor is out of this world. The thick, rich and creamy buttercream frosting is phenomenal as well.

Plated Mini Mocha Cake & Cupcakes

Dahna Jacobson, a repeat winner in multiple divisions, absolutely loves this mocha cake recipe, originally a cupcake recipe from the Brown-Eyed-Baker. She adapted it into a layer cake.

Mocha Cake & Cupcakes

The mocha chocolate cake immediately became Dahna’s go-to recipe and she went on to win multiple Minnesota State Fair ribbons with it, including one in 2023. Ten years in – 2014 was her first year competing – and she already has 12 ribbons total, including 3 blue ribbons, mostly for various cakes, but also quick breads. Dahna keeps photo boxes celebrating her achievements, like this one.

About her state fair baking experiences, Dahna shared, “I’m most proud of my first ribbon because I entered a single cake that year and really didn’t expect to win. I had never entered any baking competitions prior. Also, my first blue ribbon has a funny story. When I arrived at the fairgrounds, my white cake had shifted and was smushed on the side… I rushed home and made a fresh batch of buttercream and re-frosted the cake and it ended up winning first place!

TV News Appearance

We invited Dahna to showcase this favorite mocha cake recipe of hers on KARE 11 News (NBC-Minneapolis St Paul), live at the fairgrounds. Here’s a link to her appearance. Find it here.

This mocha cake & cupcakes recipe makes one double layer cake, 32 cupcakes, or about 64 miniature-sized cupcakes. You simply adjust the pans and baking times for the different versions.

Put this is the must-make pile for your next home-baking adventure. It’s a winner!

-Cyndi

p.s. Love the buttercream? Try these, also cupcakes, or type in “buttercream” as a search option for numerous more options.

 

Homemade Salted Nut Rolls

Homemade Salted Nut Rolls: if you love Pearson’s Salted Nut Roll candy bars, you are in for a treat. This recipe makes the best homemade salted nut rolls. Seriously. The BEST! Everyone who tastes them absolutely loves them.

They are the perfect combination of sweet, salty, chewy and crunchy. Plus, you can make them a variety of ways. We like the classic, log form, because they are so cute on a stick. However, with Salted Nut Roll Bars, you just have to shape the nougat into one portion.

But first, let’s talk about overall helpful tips and tricks. This is a fun recipe. You just may get your hands messy, but the caramel is so tasty to clean up.

Preparation Tips

  • To get started, get yourself A LOT of salted peanuts. A LOT. They’re what makes this treat so fabulous.
  • I usually make at least two cans of the caramel at a time so I have it on hand
  • Make these homemade salted nut rolls in two stages if desired, by freezing the marshmallow “nougat” after you have formed the logs
  • Avoid some messiness by using forks to work with the logs for the caramel and peanut layers
  • Experiment with how you like the nutty exterior. With a rough chop, you’ll need to press the peanuts a bit to adhere them to the inner layers and you’ll get a big crunch. With a finer chop, you get more coverage but a more chewy, less chunky bite.
  • Consider making recipe as is first, especially if you want the classic taste and look, and go from there.
  • The recipe “as is” has, in our experience, the best nougat to caramel and peanuts ratio. It also tastes the most like the Pearson’s salted nut roll candy bar, which I love.
  • Try variations on the recipe, like the “low sugar version” where you sweeten cream cheese with honey or a sugar substitute, then use a sugar-free caramel ice cream topping.
  • You can opt to use min or full size marshmallows instead of marshmallow fluff. About 3 cups would work, plus 3 cups of powdered sugar, a stick of butter (8 tablespoons), a teaspoon of vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
  • Then there is, of course, the no-fuss version made as a layered pan of bars.

This Five Boys Baker recipe was my initial attempt at trying to replicate my favorite candy bar. The recipe’s filling, made with marshmallows, was delightful. That said, I ended up going with a simpler marshmallow fluff version with a different process and shape. Plus, the biggest difference is my go to caramel hack: boiling sweetened condensed milk in an unopened can, then simmering for two hours. SO EASY!

Yet another variation to try would be shaping the nougat into small round shapes (instead of logs) before dipping each in caramel and tossing in a bowl with peanuts. Salted nut balls, anyone? =)

Plated Salted Nut Balls - Homemade

Yet another, shorter variation is making this recipe into bars.

Salted Nut Rolls - Variation

Whatever way you make these, you are going to love them! They are truly my obsession. Same with this nutty tart you can make into cookie cups or tiny tarts.

-Cyndi

 

Zucchini Bread Mini Muffins

Zucchini Bread Mini Muffins: you make these delightful treats with classic quick bread ingredients. The zucchini and vegetable oil give the muffins a terrific texture, a quality also helped also by using both baking soda and baking powder. The hint of cinnamon is delicious, as are the walnuts. They give a delightful chewiness to the muffins. If you are not into nuts, simply leave them out!

Single Zucchini Bread Mini Muffin

These zucchini bread mini muffins are a delight to eat and make. You can make them into regular size muffins or a loaf, and with or without walnuts. Your choice! Whatever way you make this winning recipe, you will love it!

Zucchini Bread Mini Muffins overhead

The recipe comes from Heather Pfeiffer, who used the recipe and placed second for zucchini bread at the 2023 Minnesota State Fair. It was featured in recipe demos and tastings at the 2024 Minnesota State Fair, hosted by the Blue Ribbon Group in the Creative Activities Building’s Cambria Kitchen. Heather’s main tip with the recipe is to drain but not squeeze the grated zucchini before mixing it in. Don’t miss Heather’s blue ribbon winning cookies, also on this site here.  And if you love quick breads, this one is a must try too!

Enjoy!

-Cyndi

 

 

Lemon Coconut Balls

Lemon Coconut Balls: a blue ribbon winning recipe at the 2023 Minnesota State Fair.

These are another must bake cookie. Delightfully easy and deliciously perfect. You can make these lemon coconut balls with or without macadamia nuts.

Recipe contest goes to Heather Pfeiffer, pictured here with Blue Ribbon Group founder, Cyndi Harles.

Heather has won numerous ribbons at the fair. We invited her to showcase these cookies at our demo day event at the state fair. They were a huge hit!

Find all the recipes we featured in the Creative Activities Building, Cambria Kitchen, here.

2024 “Top 30 State Fairs” List  

New: 2024 “Top 30 State Fairs” List  

Do you love state fairs like we do? Check out our new 2024 “Top 30 State Fairs” list. This second annual compilation is based exclusively on two factors: per day attendance numbers (total 2023 attendance divided by total days open) and their baking competitions (history of past Blue Ribbon Group special contests). Our other criteria? They have to take place the second half of the year, the Blue Ribbon Group official state fair season.
Attendances ranged from 27K to 153K for per day averages (based on top 30 list). That is A LOT of people through the gates each day. All take place in the second half of the year, with the majority happening in August and September.  The State Fair of Texas has the highest total  attendance – 2.5 million – but since it’s spread out over twice as many days as Minnesota and others, it lands in the 4th “best state fair” spot.
Top 30 State Fairs List - Best State Fairs

Big E Fair Added for 1st Time: Lands in Top 10

New to our “Top 30 State Fairs” list is the Big E, the biggest fair in Massachusetts.  I lands in the # 8 spot. The Big E is considered America’s only multi-state fair and is the largest in the whole NE region. As a result, we count the Big E as a state fair. It represents all of New England with entertainment, unique foods, competitions, and more. Per research, the Big E’s Massachusetts State Exhibition Hall literally pays homage to all six New England states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. We have had many cookie contests at the Big E in years past. Welcome to our best state fair list Big E!
The other biggest changes with our list:
  • Attendance leapt at many of the fairs, especially at Kentucky (up 14 percent) and at Wisconsin, Ohio, and New York, among others
  • Total attendance for all 30 top fairs jumped from 22.2 million fairgoers to 23.5 million
  • We narrowed the top 30 list to only have official state – or multi-state – fairs.
  • At the same time, we added 20 runner-up best fairs, an Honorable Mention list.

2024 Honorable Mention U.S. Fairs:

For the first time, we also compiled an “honorable mention list” of sorts, to include the largest county and regional fairs we have worked with over the years. This gives our list greater/deeper representation of the entire country.  Six land on the West Coast. Six land in the Northeast. The rest span the entire continental U.S.

Daily average attendance numbers range from 94K to 10K per day, which is how they are ranked here.
Since 2006, Blue Ribbon Group has managed special recipe contests at large state, county and regional fairs. Find a collection of winning recipes at BlueRibbonGroup.net and featured on BlueRibbonFoodies on Instagram and Facebook.

2024 Minnesota State Fair Blue Ribbon Special Contests

2024 Minnesota State Fair Special Contests To Feature New Fresh Salsa, Nutty Cookie, Mighty Muffin Recipe Contests

Minneapolis-St Paul, MN – July 22, 2024 – With over 75 baking and cooking categories at the Minnesota State Fair this year, home cooks and bakers will have many ways to win in the kitchen, including $1,000 in prizes in Blue Ribbon Group special contests and awards. The annual and much beloved tradition of blue ribbon baking and cooking returns!

There’s a new Fresh Salsa contest thanks to Bushel Boy Farms, a Nutty Cookie contest from the Blue Ribbon Group, and a Mighty Muffin contest from 3 Cricketeers. The general/classic baking categories (divided into “classes”), range from 28 types of bread and 21 types of cookies, to 12 different kinds of cakes, and 3 pie flavors, plus international and gluten-free baking divisions. Let the games, er… Minnesota State Fair Blue Ribbon Special Contests BEGIN!

Register by Tue July 30, 2024, 4:30pm; All Special Contests & All Baking Categories Take Place Sat Aug 17, 2024

Rally time is now! Look for these new special contests, each with $100 to $200 for first place, plus runner-up prizes and special awards. Registration is now open. It closes Tue , 2024, 4:30pm CT. Open to Minnesota residents only. All contests happen Sat August 17, 2024, drop off 9:30am to 1pm, Creative Activities Building. Winners announced Thu August 22, 2024. Having trouble finding what you need to participate? Drop us a line here.

Bushel Boy Farms “Fresh Salsa Recipe Rally”

2024 Minnesota State Fair Blue Ribbon Special Contests
Make a fresh-tasting, crowd-pleasing salsa with premium, locally grown Bushel Boy Farms tomatoes as the star ingredient. Bushel Boy’s tomatoes are grown right here in Owatonna, Minnesota at their high-tech greenhouses and picked at perfect ripeness. Combine them with other ingredients for a masterful and award-winning homemade salsa (refrigerated, not processed/canned). Present with your favorite chips for dipping. $350 in prizes await the top 3 winners, plus bonus prizes for canned salsas (Class 1245 & 1246). Find recipe inspiration @BushelBoyFarms on Instagram & Facebook.

Join Bushel Boy Farms to celebrate opening day of the fair, Thu August 22, 2024. They will take over the Cambria Kitchen to showcase fresh tomato creations and salsa contest winners, plus offer complimentary samples and other giveaways throughout the day.

Blue Ribbon Group “Nutty Cookie Contest”

2024 Minnesota State Fair Blue Ribbon Special Contests

Come compete in the “Nutty Cookie Contest” from the Blue Ribbon Group. We want a creative variety of nut-centric winning cookies. Make your tasty treats with your favorite nuts, from peanuts and pistachios to almonds and cashews. Any nut goes and any type tracks. They can be classic or creative: think biscotti, nut clusters, butter pecan shortbread, monster cookies, and more. Wow the judges with your outstanding cookie, how it looks and what they experience biting into it. A unique mix of cookies will win. Prizes are $200, $100 and $50 for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, respectively. Find inspiration @BlueRibbonFoodies on Instagram & Facebook.

Join us Sun August 25 at the fair for our Nutty Tarts & Treats event (Cambria Kitchen, Creative Activities Building). In the meantime, find a fantastic sample recipe to make here.

Mighty Muffin Recipe Contest

2024 Minnesota State Fair Blue Ribbon Special Contests

Make your 3 Cricketeers Mighty Muffin entry with 3C’s Pure Cricket Powder (1/4 cup or more) and additional ingredients known to give you power and energy, such as nuts, seeds, oatmeal, peanut butter, and chocolate. Awards: $100 (1st Place), $75 (2nd Place), $50 (3rd Place). Find their online store at 3 Cricketeers. Use code StateFair2024 for free shipping on your first order. Share your creative process by posting on Facebook or Instagram. Tag #3cricketeers

Join 3 Cricketeers on Fri August 23 for a day of demos and free tastings (Cambria Kitchen, Creative Activities Building).

Special thanks to our prize partner and all-around amazing baking company:

Key Contest Dates to Remember

  • Competitors Register by Tue July 30, 2024, 4:30pm
  • Drop Off Day Sat Aug 17, 20, 9:30am to 1pm
  • View Winner Displays & Recipe Demos Aug 22 to Sep 2 in Creative Activities Building

First Time Participant or Need a Refresher?

All registration goes through the Minnesota State Fair competition department. Registration is free! Once you’re signed up, there is no obligation if you later can’t participate. Go to the Competitions/Creative Activities/Baked Products section at MNStateFair.org to sign up (under the Participants tab).

Minnesota State Fair Blue Ribbon Special Contests: Quick-start tips:

  1. Find all baking rules, regs, open classes, and cool special contests here and be sure to download the Creative Activities/Baked Goods Premium Book Section. Jump to pages 12-14 for the special contests, page by page.
  2. Sign up for the Competition Department email list here and be sure to choose “Creative Activities” as your email list.
  3. Create your online account here (then be sure your registration clears and is confirmed by email).
  4. For step-by-step guidance: go here (for a written tutorial) or here (for a video) For FAQ (frequently asked questions) go here.

Minnesota State Fair Blue Ribbon Special Contests: Resources are aplenty, but if you still have questions, never hesitate to ask. The state fair competition office can be reached 651-288-4417 or competition@mnstatefair.org. We are available too, at statefairteam@blueribbongroup.net.

Pistachio Cranberry Scones

These Pistachio Cranberry Scones are easy to make at home and have all the flavor of a classic baked good but without sugar. Seriously, they are so scrumptious! Homemade deliciousness! As a result of no sugar, you can eat these with less guilt than sugar-filled ones or store-bought versions.

     Pan of Pistachio Cranberry Scones

There’s something irresistible about the combo of cranberries and pistachio. You’ll love the pop of sweetness from the cranberries and the distinct taste of the pistachio nut.

  • flour
  • granulated sweetener
  • baking powder
  • cream of tartar
  • salt
  • orange zest
  • heavy cream
  • dried cranberries
  • pistachios

Scone Ingredients

You make this recipe in one bowl and on a lightly-floured surface.

Close up of Scone Mixture

They’re simple and easy to shape but not basic tasting. They deserve high marks! Maybe even a blue ribbon!

Closeup: pan of Pistachio Cranberry Scones o

With this Pistachio Cranberry Scones recipe having no added sugar – using Splenda products – it’s perfect for those living with diabetes, I also recently read that pistachios are good for lowering blood sugar levels. Check out the article here.

Mini Cheesecakes

Mini cheesecakes make great after-dinner desserts.

Mini Cheesecakes 2

Their size is small enough so you don’t feel like you are over indulging. At the same time, their richness and creaminess will easily satisfy your sweet tooth. With the paper liners, they transport easily and work well at parties as easy-to-pass-around desserts.

Mini Cheesecakes 3

You’ll love the texture and tang of these mini cheesecakes. You can credit that to the sour cream or Greek yogurt. Another great thing about them is how easy they are to make. There are just three ingredients in the crust: graham crackers, butter and brown sugar. In seconds you are half-way done making this dessert.

The filling has just four core ingredients (cream cheese, egg, sugar, and vanilla), plus whatever flavoring(s) and food color(s) you choose. And that’s the added beauty of this recipe. You can flavor your mini cheesecakes in so many different ways. With all the extracts and compatible ingredients, the options are endless. I’ve made many coconut versions with this coconut extract from Frontier-Co-op, plus a lot with citrus extracts. Key lime anyone? Chocolate is another go-to. And think of all the fruits you could feature. Any berry would work, or banana, or even mango. You could go the cookie/candy path, with crushed Oreos, Reese’s peanut butter cups, or Snickers.

For this version and because of my state fair love, I did cotton candy mini cheesecakes. I’ve been in love with cotton candy as a flavor since my first taste at the since closed, Izzy’s Ice Cream. In fact, I confess to not liking cotton candy itself, at all! But put cotton candy flavoring in something creamy and I’m all in. One of my favorite products to use is Amoretti’s cotton candy “artisan flavor.” It gives the cheesecake almost a raspberry meets cotton candy.

Mini Cheesecakes 4

I hope you get to enjoy these soon!

-Cyndi

 

Apple Pie Cookies

These lattice-topped Apple Pie Cookies are totally tasty and so much fun to make. They won first place at the 2015 Wisconsin State Fair in one of our special contests. The blue ribbon winning cookie recipe comes from Linda Faust. They are an all-time favorite we highly recommend baking.

Linda’s crust calls for coconut oil and uses both white and wheat flours.

Base of Apple Pie Cookies

As a result, the sturdier crust works great to hold the filling and its shape.

Assembly of Apple Pie Cookies

The apple pie cookies recipe is below. You’ll follow these seven easy steps.

  • Pulse the ingredients in a blender or food processor.
  • Roll out into 2 equal 9-inch square portions
  • Cut 1 portion into 1/2-inch strips
  • Cut second portion into 3-inch side-by-side circles
  • Spoon filling into center
  • Weave lattice with strips on top and seal
  • Brush with egg wash and bake

4 Ingredient Filling

The cookie filling has just 4 ingredients:

  • apples
  • cinnamon
  • sugar
  • nutmeg

You cook the apples in a microwave, so it’s ready in minutes. The assembly is the fun part. They’ll be ready for the oven in no time.

The recipe makes 9 cookies. Feel free to double the recipe if you want a bigger batch.

Note: If you’re looking for a whole apple pie, make this blue ribbon winner.

Enjoy!

-Cyndi

 

 

State Fair of Texas Best Sugar-Free Pie

State Fair of Texas Best Sugar-Free Pie: This recipe earned its “best sugar-free pie” at the 2022 State Fair of Texas. It’s a blueberry apple pie that’s packed with 6 cups of blueberries and a sliced apple.

Cut State Fair of Texas Best Sugar-Free Pie

The recipe is from Robert Cook, who has won MANY times at the State Fair of Texas. Learn how to make this “sweetened with Splenda” award-winning pie with Robert’s detailed recipe below.

My family raved about this pie when my niece re-created it for a special occasion. They especially liked how it wasn’t overly sweet.

The filling cooks up perfectly and the pie sliced just how you want it to.

Blue Ribbon Blueberry Apple Pie

If you love fruit pies, this is the recipe for YOU! And if you want more blue ribbon winning pie recipes, simply search for “fruit pie” on our site and you’ll find a huge collection of drool-worthy delights.

Enjoy!

-Cyndi