Grand Prize: Grasshopper Cookies & Cream Cheesecake
I created this mint chocolate cheesecake for our high school's annual fundraiser. We were told that it brought a hefty price and was one of the first desserts to go! If desired, the cookie pieces may be stirred into the batter instead of being added in a layer. Keep the pieces fairly small; otherwise they have a tendency to rise to the top. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
1st Place: Triple-Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
What could be better than a brownie crust layered with chocolate cheesecake and topped with chocolate ganache? These cheesecake bars will satisfy even the biggest chocolate lovers out there. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin
2nd Place: Gouda & Roasted Potato Bread
Our family tried roasted potato bread at a bakery on a road trip, and I came up with my own recipe when we realized we lived much too far away to have it regularly. It makes for a really amazing roast beef sandwich and is also great with soups. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
3rd Place: Coastal Coconut Cream Cake
This is my son's county fair cake. He was awarded a top-10 prize and auctioned his coconut cream cake off for big bucks! —Amy Freeze, Avon Park, Florida
Runner Up: Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting
I am a healthy eater most of the time...but this apple spice cake is worth the splurge! Every year, I treasure the opportunity to make my own birthday cake, and I choose this. You can add a cup of raisins to the batter before baking if you'd like. —Jennifer Owen, Louisville, Kentucky
Runner Up: Caramel-Scotch Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
I came up with this cream cheese coffee cake recipe so I could make a delicious brunch treat using convenience pastry for the base. If there's any left, we like to store this easy cake in the refrigerator after it cools. It seems to taste even better cold. —Sherry Little, Sherwood, Arkansas
Runner Up: Chai-Spiced Star Bread
My chai star bread is great for potlucks or parties because it's easy to share and looks beautiful. Prepare it ahead of time, refrigerate, then just pop it in the oven before serving. Try using this recipe with other fruits, too, like persimmons or apples. —Elizabeth Ding, El Cerrito, California
Runner Up: Garlic Rosemary Pull-Apart Bread
This recipe is a different type of pull-apart bread. It can be eaten by itself dipped in marinara or as part of a meal. You could add sun-dried tomatoes, pesto or an onion soup mix packet instead of the rosemary garlic for a different flavor. —Christina Trikoris, Clarksville, Tennessee
Runner Up: Lemon Popovers with Pecan Honey Butter
My mom passed this recipe down to me many years ago. We love the delicate lemon flavor with the pecan honey butter. The popovers are a nice addition to any dinner but they're especially delicious at breakfast with a bowl of fruit and yogurt. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Runner Up: Oma's Marzipan Stollen
My German grandma followed this stollen recipe and made it for us when we were young. I love this dessert. It tastes great, and it reminds me of her and the German food she made. I often freeze this sweet bread once it's shaped into a braid. Then I can pull it out the night before, let it rise on the counter overnight, and bake it in the morning. —Abigail Leszczynski, Beauford, South Carolina
Runner Up: Praline Pumpkin Pecan Pie
My husband and I are not big fans of traditional pumpkin pie, but my mother and others are, so we must have pumpkin pie as one of the desserts at Thanksgiving. I decided to meet everyone halfway with this pumpkin pecan pie recipe and it was a hit. Now I bring it to Thanksgiving every year. My mother doesn't even feel the need to bake her own pumpkin pie! —Emily Reese, Glade Hill, Virginia
Runner Up: Vanilla-Glazed Ginger Scones
Gingerbread is a flavor that works with all sorts of delicious holiday baked goods. To glaze these ginger scones, just dip a fork or spoon into the glaze mixture and then drizzle over the tops. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
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Rachel Seis