Author: Cyndi Harles

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”

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”

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

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:

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.
Sign up for the Competition Department email list here and be sure to choose “Creative Activities” as your email list.
Create your online account here (then be sure your registration clears and is confirmed by email).
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.

Espresso Salted Caramel Turtle Sandies

These Espresso Salted Caramel Turtle Sandies are another all-time favorite cookie from our archives. With state fair season upon us, the timing is perfect for trying new recipes. Give this one a shot. Maybe perfect it for a cookie to enter at your fair this year.

The espresso powder the recipe calls for gives the cookie distinction. It is in the cookie dough, along with mini chocolate chips and pecans, which add another dimension to the cookie. Once baked, you add a caramel drizzle, made from caramel bits. You finish the cookies with some flair: a sprinkling of chopped pecans and a drizzle of bittersweet chocolate chips.

Espresso salted caramel turtle sandies won first place many years back at the Ohio State Fair, 2014, to be exact. Recipe credit goes to blue ribbon winning baker, Janet Gill.

Janet wanted to compete with a new take on the famous Pecan Sandies many of us know. Mission accomplished! With its mocha flavor and delicious drizzles, Janet created quite an epic cookie and deserves major kudos.

My mom who baked our test run with me said to note that tasters should chew slowly and luxuriously to enjoy all the delightful dimensions of this cookie! I agree. Find out for yourself and bake these today! And if you love pecans, be sure to try this other Ohio State Fair winning cookie for Toasted Pecan Honey Squares.

-Cyndi

Best Turkey Burgers

Want a recipe for the very Best Turkey Burgers? Look no further. This recipe is simple, yet incredibly tasty and delicious. Plus, you can add or swap ingredients to make a variety of flavors.

These burgers have become one of my favorite go-to meals. I never tire of any of the flavors and find them a big crowd pleaser.

Best Turkey Burgers? What’s In them?

ground turkey: I like to keep two or three packages in my freezer, for whenever the turkey burger craving hits. And it’s often!
red bell pepper: for added color, moisture, and hit of sweetness
red onion: for the taste and aromatic factor
quick oats: a binder that’s another protein source
garlic: an essential for extra flavor and zip
ground cumin: adds a glamorous taste to it
Worcestershire sauce: a classic ingredient
jalapeno: another essential, for me, for heat

This is a big batch recipe for the best turkey burgers. Cut if you want smaller quantities, or better yet, make the entire batch and freeze portions for later use.

I like to insert parchment or wax paper between each burger for easier separating once their thawed. You could also freeze in larger portions and divide into the size you want when you’re ready to cook them.

They taste great on the grill. I use a wire mesh pan I have prepped with nonstick spray and place that right on the grill. I made them wide and flat since they perk and firm up as they cook. If I am frying in a pan, I flatten them a bit extra with a spatula before and as I cook them.

Favorite Toppings? Tomatoes and red onions!

Mix It Up!

For flavor variety, add some or all of these ingredients for Thai- inspired burgers. Just be sure to offset any liquid additions with more quick oats. My favorites? The first two on this list.

garlic chili paste
red curry paste
sesame oil
soy sauce
fish sauce
fresh lime juice

Red chili paste is the “secret ingredient” I’m told. I tend to agree.

For a different tack, you can opt for a classic version and go with these mix-ins.

grated carrot: a medium or large sized one works well
fresh thyme leaves, minced or dried
egg

This version will give you a firmer burger that’s more meatloaf like in texture and flavor.

The recipe below gives you ingredients for 3 types. For serving, all are tasty enough to eat solo. You could smother it in avocado for a high-protein, low carb type of meal. Or you could do the traditional bun, lettuce and tomato which is also really taste.

Any way you go, this will make a delicious meal. Enjoy!

p.s. And if you’re looking for another great ground turkey recipe, give this protein bowl a try and use ground turkey.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

I hope you get to enjoy these soon!

-Cyndi

Toasted Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Toasted Pecan Shortbread Cookies: these are an outstanding winning recipe from the Wisconsin State Fair, created by Joan Giesfeldt. They are an all-time-favorite from our archives, winning 1st place a decade ago, 2014.

They are an impressive cookie, and Joan shared a few tips about preparing them:

Toast the pecans ahead of time to bring out their nutty aroma and flavor. (Note: Browning the butter for the filling is going to boost that nuttiness also.)

For the vanilla ingredient, Joan says she prefers a Madagascar version. She also used an ultra-fine baker’s sugar for sprinkling on the top half of the cookie.

With the richness of the dough, her other tip is to handle the dough as little as possible once it comes out of the freezer. The cookies will keep their form a bit better.

When we test ran these toasted pecan shortbread cookies, they were a favorite among our tasters. Let’s just say one off them said they were magical!

Cookie lovers and baking fans: take the time to bake a batch of these sooner rather than later. They are totally worth your time!

-Cyndi

P.S. Looking for more Wisconsin winning recipes? Don’t miss this one, yet another all-time favorite.

Lemon Lavender Cookies

Lemon Lavender Cookies. Don’t those sound delicious? They are from Indianapolis hobby baker Jennifer Dickie, who won several special contests we organized at the Indiana State Fair. Jennifer grows her own lavender and puts it into her cookies. She says they’re deceivingly simple but have a big wow factor when people taste them. They are a light, delicate cookie and not overly sweet.

4 Main Ingredients:

Butter
Powdered sugar
Flour
Salt

Ready to make these lemon lavender cookies? Here are the main steps:

Beat the butter until fluffy, then slowly add the powdered sugar, flour and salt, mixing until just combined.
You stir in the zest and dried lavender by hand.
Last, you chill the dough before rolling out with granulated sugar, then cut into desired shapes.

Jennifer suggests dipping your cookie cutters in granulated sugar for easier release. Once baked, which you do for about 20 minutes, you allow them to cool. As an optional finishing step, you can make a simple glaze for on top.

Another great thing about these cookies, you can customize them by changing up the flavors, like we did, morphing them into holiday shortbread. Get creative with the flavors and colors to have various version of this cookie. You are going to love them!

-Cyndi

Creamy Curried Cauliflower Soup

Creamy Curried Cauliflower Soup: this recipe is a must-make on a cold or wet night.

I’m a Minnesota girl who loves the heat of spicy foods. I’m so comforted by creamy soups, especially in the winter months.

For many of my go-to creations I use sweet potatoes or cauliflower and steam them first. It could me my imagination, but the texture seems more “velvety” than when I roast them. (Hint: I remove the leaves and use the entire head, including the stalks.)

This creamy curried cauliflower soup is a soup-er easy recipe. I throw everything, minus the coconut milk, into a big pot, i.e., the cauliflower, broth, onion, and spices.

Then I just crank up the heat and let it stew. In 10-15 minutes, once the onions are soft, I whip out my immersion blender and let it work its magic. That tool is an essential one for me. This way, you don’t have to transfer it to a food processor or blender.

This is a party size recipe, so know you can feed a large group with it or eat what you want and freeze the leftovers. Search for soup or stew on our site here to find more recipes like this.

Enjoy!

-Cyndi

Chocolate Pudding Cups

Say hello to these sensational and succulent-inspired Chocolate Pudding Cups! Pudding never tasted this good or looked as cute!

This easy, homemade dessert will wow your dinner party guests every time. They will want to dive their spoon into these the second you set them down.

Low-To-No Sugar

With no added sugar, these chocolate pudding cups also come with less guilt than your typical dessert like these. At the same time, they are rich, satisfying and deeply chocolatey.

You make “them,” or should we say “it,” with a handful of high quality ingredients. The recipe is not unlike a custard. In fact, with both eggs and cornstarch as ingredients, it’s both. Some would call it “budino,” the Italian term we also love. But alas, we grew up calling it pudding so we’re sticking with that.

The main ingredients?

semi-sweet chocolate chips – use ones with less or no added sugar, like these
egg yolks
Splenda Magic Baker, our favorite zero calorie, zero sugar sweetener
salt
heavy whipping cream
cornstarch
vanilla extract

Those 7 ingredients are all this decadent dessert requires. But then, the extra fun really starts. You can make whipped cream and pipe it on top of the pudding, in any way you desire. We love simple dollops or spiral tops that resemble succulent plants, like what we did these.

Chocolate bar shavings make an excellent garnish. A drizzle would be dandy as well.

However you deck this low/no sugar dessert out, you’ll enjoy every bit of it!

-Cyndi

Best Chocolate Orange Cupcakes

For holiday baking – or any time of year – these “Best Chocolate Orange Cupcakes” are a sure-fire favorite. Seriously. Total crowd pleaser!

The batter has vegetable oil and buttermilk in it, creating a rich, fudgy cupcake that practically glows.

Best Chocolate Orange Cupcakes - Mid Frosting

With a thick citrus buttercream frosting and festive chocolate orange section on top, you get an eye-catching dessert everyone will love.

Decorated Best Chocolate Orange Cupcakes

Baker Tips:

Use a high-quality cocoa powder for a rich chocolate flavor to the cupcake. We used a combo of Dutch cocoa powder and black cocoa and loved the results.
Stock up on Terry’s Chocolate Oranges when you find them. They’re seasonal and can be hard to find
Because the orange extract goes in both the batter and the frosting, use a high-quality brand for a natural tasting citrus flavor. We like these citrus oils from the King Arthur Baking Company. Fresh juice and zest is key also.

Winner at Minnesota State Fair

These best chocolate orange cupcakes are an award-winning creation from Colleen Jensen.

She had a big win with them at the 2022 Minnesota State Fair. Out of 75 entries, these placed third, bested only by this show-stopper winning cake (1st Place) and a Mexican Hot Chocolate Cake (2nd place) we hope to make at some point. That’s essentially a second runner up or a “bronze medal” Olympic win. =)

Colleen titled her contest entry “Merry’s Chocolate Orange Cupcakes.” The name is a play on the “merry” holidays and the popular Terry’s brand that makes the festive candy that the cupcakes feature.

Terry’s Chocolate Oranges are quite an experience. Gifting them to family and friends is a long-time tradition in the U.K. The whack/crack way of opening the candy is delightful.

If you don’t have first-hand knowledge of the “tap it and unwrap it” process, be sure try it out soon.

These Chocolate Orange Cupcakes are a “must-bake” for anyone who loves chocolate or citrus sweet treats. Enjoy!

-Cyndi

Blue Ribbon Group Serving State & County Fairs for 20+ years

Author: Cyndi Harles

Best Turkey Burgers

Best Turkey Burgers? What’s In them?

Mix It Up!

Pistachio Cranberry Scones

Main Ingredients for Pistachio Cranberry Scones

Mini Cheesecakes

Toasted Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Creamy Curried Cauliflower Soup

Chocolate Pudding Cups

Low-To-No Sugar

Best Chocolate Orange Cupcakes

Winner at Minnesota State Fair