These classic recipes took home the coveted blue ribbon at fairs across the country. Make these blue-ribbon recipes for cookies, cake, pie (and even a big burrito) and you, too, will feel the victory.
28 Blue-Ribbon Recipes Ready to Win Your Heart
Blue-Ribbon Butter Cake
I found this buttercake recipe in an old cookbook I bought at a garage sale and couldn’t wait to try it. I knew it had been someone’s favorite because of the well-worn page. —Joan Gertz, Palmetto, Florida
1/27
2/27
Fudge Pecan Brownie Tart
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love inventing my own recipes and entering contests—I won a blue ribbon at the Iowa State Fair for this one!
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 580 calories, 37g fat (17g saturated fat), 128mg cholesterol, 236mg sodium, 61g carbohydrate (43g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein.
3/27
Streuseled Zucchini Bundt Cake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Inspired by an abundance of zucchini, 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
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 287 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 259mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
4/27
Cashew Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Some merry dairy snacking is guaranteed when you pass out these cashew-packed goodies! I found the recipe years ago in a flier promoting dairy products. It's been this farm wife's standby ever since. —June Lindquist, Hammond, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 100 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
5/27
Golden Apple Pie
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 480 calories, 24g fat (15g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 480mg sodium, 65g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
6/27
Rhubarb Cookies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
We have two prolific rhubarb plants, so I’m always looking for new ways to use the harvest. The recipe for these soft, delicious cookies, flavored with coconut, was given to me by a friend. —Shauna Schneyder, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 126 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 68mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
7/27
Cornbread Muffins
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I love making corn bread and corn muffins, but often the results are not moist or sweet enough for my taste. So I experimented until I came up with these light, pleasantly sweet muffins. They ended up winning a blue ribbon at our county fair. —Patty Bourne, Owings, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1 muffin: 254 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 241mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
8/27
Texas Pecan Pie
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I won a blue ribbon for this pie at the Texas State Fair. Since I was in the military for more than 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
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 466 calories, 23g fat (4g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 151mg sodium, 62g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
9/27
Gingersnap Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A classic New England cookie, gingersnaps are now universal. My grandma kept two cookie jars in her pantry. One always had these crisp and chewy gingersnaps in it. They’re still my favorite cookie. My daughter, Becky, won a blue ribbon for this recipe at a 4-H fair. —Deb Handy, Pomona, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 92 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 106mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
10/27
Blueberry Lattice Bars
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Since our area has an annual blueberry festival, my daughters and I are always looking for amazing new recipes to enter in the cooking contest. These lovely bars won a blue ribbon one year. —Debbie Ayers, Baileyville, Maine
Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 233 calories, 11g fat (7g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 109mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
11/27
Amish Sugar Cookies
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These easy-to-make, old-fashioned Amish sugar cookies simply melt in your mouth! I've passed this recipe around to many friends. After I gave it to my sister, she entered the cookies in a local fair and won best of show. —Sylvia Ford, Kennett, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 117 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 48mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
12/27
Sesame Wheat Braids
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 loaves (16 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
When I started making this bread, my husband and our six children liked it so much that I was baking every day! I was thrilled when the judges at our county fair gave these braids both a blue ribbon and a best of show award! —Nancy Montgomery, Hartville, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 102 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 226mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
13/27
Blue-Ribbon Doughnuts
Total Time
35 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
What could be more delicious than a warm homemade doughnut? I've been making these tasty treats for my children and grandchildren for many years. —Kay McEwen, Sussex, New Brunswick
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 197 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 147mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
14/27
Tropical Muffins
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I entered these muffins at our county fair and won the grand champion award for baked goods. They're so moist, they don't need butter. —Sylvia Osborn, Clay Center, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 225 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 249mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
15/27
Apricot Bars
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This 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! Easy to make, it's perfect for potluck suppers, bake sales, lunchboxes or just plain snacking.—Jill Moritz, Irvine, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 195 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 72mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
16/27
Muenster Bread
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
1 loaf (16 pieces)
From the Recipe Creator:
Many years ago my sister and I won blue ribbons in 4-H with this bread. The recipe makes a beautiful golden loaf with cheese peeking out of every slice. —Melanie Mero, Ida, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 273 calories, 16g fat (9g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 399mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 11g protein.
17/27
Ultimate Double Chocolate Brownies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
As someone who grew up in the country, I love getting out into nature whenever I can. I also love home-style recipes, including these yummy brownies. —Carol Prewett, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Nutrition Facts:
1 brownie: 159 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 73mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
18/27
Apple-Cherry Cream Cheese Pie
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A layer of sweetened cream cheese topped with a tart fruit filling makes this pie popular with family, friends and co-workers. It won the blue ribbon at a local fair. —Donna Rettew, Jonestown, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 713 calories, 37g fat (22g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 414mg sodium, 93g carbohydrate (55g sugars, 5g fiber), 7g protein.
19/27
Blue Ribbon Beefy Burritos
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I have a son who lives in Mexico, so we don’t see him very often. When I make these burritos, it feels as if he is right there at the table with us, inhaling them. —Marina Castle, Canyon Country, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 burrito: 682 calories, 37g fat (17g saturated fat), 103mg cholesterol, 1166mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 34g protein.
20/27
Corn Chowder
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings (about 2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Chowder is a classic comfort food here in the Northeast, especially during cooler weather. Whenever I make a trip home to Pittsburgh, Mom has this simmering on the stove for me.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 271 calories, 14g fat (8g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 889mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein.
21/27
Blue-Ribbon Herb Rolls
Total Time
55 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These rolls have been a favorite of ours for nearly 25 years. I even baked them in an old wood stove when we lived on a farm. I developed the recipe using several techniques I learned while studying the art of bread making. The recipe won a blue ribbon at our county fair. —Mary Ann Evans, Tarpon Springs, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll: 94 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 150mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
22/27
Red Velvet Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
It's just not Christmas at our house until this festive cake appears. This is different from other red velvets I’ve had; the icing is as light as snow. For quicker assembly, you can leave the layers untrimmed and simply frost the top and side of the cake with icing. —Kathryn Davison, Charlotte, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 595 calories, 34g fat (21g saturated fat), 115mg cholesterol, 564mg sodium, 71g carbohydrate (52g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
23/27
Cheese & Garlic Biscuits
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My biscuits won the prize for best quick bread at my county fair. One of the judges liked them so much, she asked for the recipe! These buttery, savory biscuits go with just about anything. —Gloria Jarrett, Loveland, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 biscuit: 81 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 176mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
24/27
Lime Mint Jelly
Total Time
20 min
Servings
5 half-pints
From the Recipe Creator:
This holly-green jelly won a Best of Show at the county fair and I was so thrilled. Flavored with lime, it's delicious on roasted meats. —Gloria Jarrett, Loveland, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 79 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
25/27
Icebox Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
7 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This cookie recipe from my 91-year-old grandmother was my grandfather's favorite. She still makes them and sends us home with the dough so that we can make more whenever we want, I love to make a fresh batch when company drops in. —Chris Paulsen, Glendale, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 31 calories, 1g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 32mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
26/27
Blue-Ribbon Rye Bread
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
3 loaves (12 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
My kids once had a little bread business, selling homemade loaves to neighbors and people in the community. Many purchased this rye that won best of show at our county fair. —Susanne Spicker, North Ogden, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 81 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 67mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
27/27
Cherry No-Bake Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 5-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I 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 almond extract and voila! I won a blue ribbon at the county fair in 2010. —Denise Wheeler, Newaygo, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 81 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 29mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
