10 state fair blue ribbon recipes

When I hear “contest-winning recipes”, I think of ribbons awarded at county and state fairs.

There are dozens and dozens of cooking and baking categories at each state fair. Here, I’ve rounded up 10 winning recipes chosen at random at recent state fairs across the country. Some of these are first place winners while others placed in the top three spots.

If you know of a recipe you love that isn’t on this list, share it with us in the comments below!

Maddie’s Sugar Cookies — 2015 Ohio State Fair

Last year, Margaret Price won the Gold Medal Flour Cookie Contest for these cookies that she baked with her sister, Madeleine. WBNS-10TV shares her recipe.

Lemon Chess Pie — 2015 Texas State Fair

Pucker up! Lisa Arnold won “Best of Show” at last year’s Texas State Fair with this pie. It’s a Southern tradition that we’d like to try! Via StateFairRecipes.com.

Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies — 2014 Indiana State Fair

Lavender isn’t a common ingredient, but it makes these cookies unique. Watch the video from Fox59 to learn how blue ribbon winner Jennifer Dickey makes her recipe.

Tomato Cobbler — 2015 New York State Fair

We usually think of peaches, berries or cherries when we read “cobbler,” but that doesn’t mean you can’t use other ingredients. At last year’s New York State Fair, Jacquelyn Brown was a grand champion winner for her tomato cobbler.

Whoopie Pie Cake — 2015 Minnesota State Fair

A Midwest favorite made into a cake! Karen Cope took home a blue ribbon for this dessert. Via Midwest Living.

Brown Butter Coconut Chewies — 2015 Washington State Fair

First-time state fair recipe baker Rachel Atwood made these cookies — and won! — at last year’s Washington State Fair. Via StateFairRecipes.com.

Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake — 2015 Iowa State Fair

Eileen Gannon was one of the third place winners at last year’s Iowa State Fair for her entry in the “Create a Family Baking Legacy” category. Via The Des Moines Register.

Raspberry Lattice Pie — 2013 Wisconsin State Fair

Pies are a staple at fair baking contests. This one, made by Jeffrey Doyle-Horney pays homage to his grandmother, the creator of the recipe. Via The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Maple Bacon Chocolate Nut Cookie Bars — 2015 Colorado State Fair

Here’s another Gold Medal Flour Cookie Contest winner. This recipe contains some of our favorite ingredients: maple, bacon and chocolate! Via The Denver Post.

Sweet Potato Pie Doughnuts — 2015 North Carolina State Fair

We’ve had apple spice doughnuts, pumpkin doughnuts and blueberry donuts, but sweet potato pie doughnuts are the new kids on the block. Mellissa Ubbens won first prize with this recipe at last year’s North Carolina State Fair.