Golden Apple Pie
Pies are the dessert I like best to prepare. This one's the favorite for family get-togethers, and it has been awarded blue ribbons at a couple of local fairs. —Theresa Brazil, Petaluma, California
Five-Star Brownies
There’s a bit of my state’s history behind these brownies’ name and shape. In 1990, when I entered them at our state fair, Kansas was celebrating the 100th birthday of a famous native son, Dwight Eisenhower. In fact, that occasion was the theme of the fair. So I renamed my brownies, in honor of the rank he’d achieved as a general, and cut them out with a star cookie cutter. They ended up winning a blue ribbon! —Pam Buerki Rogers, Victoria, Kansas
First-Place Coconut Macaroons
These coconut macaroon cookies earned me a first-place ribbon at the county fair. They remain my husband's favorites—whenever I make them to give away, he always asks me for some, too! I especially like that this macaroon recipe makes a small enough batch for the two of us to nibble on. —Penny Ann Habeck, Shawano, Wisconsin
Golden Peach Pie
Years ago, I entered this pie in the Park County Fair in Livingston. It won a first-place blue ribbon plus a purple ribbon for Best All Around! Family and friends agree with the judges—it's a perfectly peachy pie. —Shirley Olson, Polson, Montana
Cherry No-Bake Cookies
I've always loved my no-bake cookie recipe, but I was never able to place at the fair with it. So I mixed in some maraschino cherries, added a few drops of almond extract, and voila! We won a blue ribbon at the county fair in 2010. —Denise Wheeler, Newaygo, Michigan
Streuseled Zucchini Bundt Cake
With so much zucchini in season, I found a new way to use it up in this spiced and lightly sweet cake. It even won a blue ribbon at our county fair! —Regina Stock, Topeka, Kansas
Texas Pecan Pie
I won a blue ribbon for this pie at the Texas State Fair. In the military for over 20 years, I didn't really start cooking until after I retired. Now I enjoy spending my time in the kitchen.—Michelle Shockley, Wichita, Kansas
Blueberry Lattice Bars
Because our area has an annual blueberry festival, my daughters and I are always looking for great new berry recipes to enter in the cooking contest. These lovely yummy bars won a blue ribbon one year. —Debbie Ayers, Baileyville, Maine
Sandy's Chocolate Cake
Years ago, I drove 4-1/2 hours to a cake contest, holding my entry on my lap the whole way. But it paid off. One bite, and you’ll see why this velvety beauty was named the best chocolate cake recipe and won first prize. —Sandra Johnson, Tioga, Pennsylvania
Double Peanut Pie
I created this recipe for a national pie contest and won second place for my state. Many peanuts are grown here, and I always look for ways to use local products. —Vivian Cleeton, Richmond, Virginia
Apple-Cherry Cream Cheese Pie
A layer of sweetened cream cheese topped with a tart fruit filling makes this apple cherry cheese pie popular with family, friends and co-workers. It won the blue ribbon at a local fair. —Donna L. Rettew, Jonestown, Pennsylvania
Winning Apricot Bars
This apricot jam bar cookie recipe is "down-home" baking at its best, and it really represents all regions of the country! It's won blue ribbons at county fairs and cookie contests in several states! This treat is easy to make, and it's perfect for potluck suppers, bake sales, lunch boxes or just plain snacking. —Jill Moritz, Irvine, California
Fudge Pecan Brownie Tart
I love inventing my own recipes and entering contests—I won a blue ribbon at the Iowa State Fair for this one! —Gloria Kratz, Des Moines, Iowa
Homemade Pear Pie
I entered this pie in a local baking contest and ended up winning! Bartlett pears hold up well when baked, adding a nice layer of texture. —Darlene Jacobson, Waterford, Wisconsin
Double-Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake
I thought cheesecake and pumpkin pie would be amazing together. This creamy combo won a prize in our local pie contest, so I guess the judges agreed! —Noel Ferry, Perkasie, Pennsylvania
Amish Sugar Cookies
These easy-to-make, old-fashioned sugar cookies simply melt in your mouth! This is one of the best Amish cookie recipes I've ever had. I've passed this one around to many friends, and after I gave it to my sister, she entered the cookies in a local fair and won the best of show prize! —Sylvia Ford, Kennett, Missouri
Contest-Winning German Chocolate Cream Pie
I've won quite a few awards in recipe contests over the past 10 years and am delighted that this luscious pie sent me to the Great American Pie Show finals. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan
Frosted Cashew Cookies
We savor these cookies every Christmas, but they're special year-round with coffee or tucked into a lunch box. I won a ribbon with these cookies at my county fair.—Sheila Wyum, Rutland, North Dakota
Caramel Apple Pie with Streusel Topping
I developed this recipe through the years to get it exactly where we want it. I've entered several pie contests with it and placed first each time—one bite and you'll know why this pie's a winner! —Laurel Dalzell, Manteca, California
Blue Ribbon Red Velvet Cake
This two-layer beauty features a striking red interior. It calls for more baking cocoa than most red velvet cakes, making it extra chocolaty. Feel free to change the color of the food coloring to suit the occasion. I'm proud to say that this recipe won a blue ribbon in the holiday cake division at the 2006 Alaska State Fair. I think this award winning red velvet cake recipe will be a winner in your house, too! —Cindi DeClue, Anchorage, Alaska
Rhubarb-Filled Cookies
I won a blue ribbon at our local fair for these tender cookies. They're so pretty with the ruby-red filling peeking through the dough. Try making these special cookies and watch the smiles appear. —Pauline Bondy, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Marble Chiffon Cake
This confection’s a proven winner—it earned me a blue ribbon and was named Division Champion at the county fair in my hometown! It’s our favorite. I’m the third generation in the family to make it. —LuAnn Heikkila, Floodwood, Minnesota
Pumpkin Cookies with Browned Butter Frosting
The recipe for these pleasantly spiced pumpkin cookies won a champion ribbon at our local county fair. These are a family favorite, and everyone enjoys the soft, cake-like texture. —Robin Nagel, Whitehall, Montana
Strawberry/Rhubarb Crumb Pie
Everyone seems to have a rhubarb patch here in Maine. This pie won first prize at our church fair; I hope it's a winner at your house, too! —Paula Phillips, East Winthrop, Maine
Contest-Winning Chocolate Potato Cake
I won grand champion honors in a potato festival baking contest with this moist chocolate cake. The icing recipe can be doubled for real sweet tooths. A great-grandma, I’ve spent over 85 years on the farm. —Catherine Hahn, Winamac, Indiana
The post 25 Blue-Ribbon Winning County Fair Desserts appeared first on Taste of Home.
Annamarie Higley