Blue Ribbon Foodies

Needing a Salted Nut Roll Fix? Try our homemade version for a fun no-bake recipe! You can make them in different shapes, or in an easy, bar form.

Find the recipe and tons of tips for making, via the link in the comments!

Thanks for having me on today to talk about competing in the new special contests: Land O’Lakes Best-Ever Shortbread Contest and the Blue Ribbon Savory Scone Contest. The registration deadline is tomorrow (Tue Aug 4, 4:30pm), so get signed up and best of luck to you all!

To watch it: https://kstp.com/special-coverage/minnesota-live/blue-ribbon-baking-contests/

Find inspiration for your own baking at:
LandOLakes.com
BlueRibbonFoodies.com
KingArthurBaking.com

As a warm up to the Blue Ribbon Savory Scone special contest at this year’s Minnesota State Fair, I baked these Caramelized Onion Scones from the Land O'Lakes website. Wow. They are mind-blowingly delicious. As I cooked down the onions, the butter worked its magic, and the scent in the kitchen was mouth-watering. Coming out of the oven, I could barely let the scones cool before noshing on one.

I can’t wait to see what everyone bakes up as their entries. Reminder, for the Minnesota State Fair, Tuesday (Aug 4, 4:30pm) is the deadline for registering to compete. Go to the Competitions/Creative Activities section MNStateFair.org

To try this phenomenal savory scone recipe find the recipe link in the comments. Then, find inspiration for your own entry with recipes on:
LandOLakes.com
KingArthurBaking.com
BlueRibbonFoodies.com

Hey Home Cooks of Minnesota!

Do you have your registration in for this year’s Minnesota State Fair Baking Competition? Look for these special contests among the lineup!

-Land O’Lakes Butter ”Best-Ever Shortbread Contest”
-Blue Ribbon Group “Savory Shortbread Contest”

Each offers $350 in prizes, plus bonus prizes for all cookie and quickbread blue ribbon winners. These are in addition to the fair’s 80+ general baking categories/classes.

Every win begins with a great recipe and quality ingredients. Find inspiration with these resources and their respective social media:
-LandOLakes.com
-BlueRibbonFoodies.com
-KingArthurBaking.com

To compete, register with the MN State Fair Competition Department (link in comments) by Tue Aug 4 2026, 4:30pm CT. Open to Minnesota residents only.

Hey Minnesota Baking Fans — we’re so excited for the coming up Aug 27 to Sep 7! Get into your baking groove: you’re invited to compete for cash prizes in ✨2 new special contests ✨Each with prizes of $200 for 1st place, $100 for 2nd, $50 for 3rd. Are there Blue Ribbon bragging rights in your future? 👩‍🍳

New Special Contests:
Land O’Lakes Butter ”Best-Ever Shortbread Contest”
Blue Ribbon Group “Savory Shortbread Contest”

Register with the Minnesota State Fair Competition Department at mnstatefair.org By Tue Aug 4, 2026

Baking Drop Off Day:
Sat Aug 22, 2026
9:30am - 1pm

Winner Displays:
Creative Activities Building
Thu Aug 27 - Mon Sep 7
9am - 9pm

Every win begins with a great base recipe. Find inspiration with these resources and their respective social media:
LandOLakes.com
BlueRibbonFoodies.com
KingArthurBaking.com

Competitors (Exhibitors) Register at:
https://www.mnstatefair.org/competitions/creative-activities/baked-products/

Special Contest Questions:
[email protected]

Registration Questions:
[email protected]

First timer? Check out this post for helpful tips.
https://www.blueribbongroup.net/blue-ribbon-foodies/2026-minnesota-state-fair-special-baking-contests/

Go win in the kitchen and at the fair. Best of luck to all of you!

5 years ago at the Minnesota State Fair, this Minnesota Honey Beer Bread from baker Cortney Carlson won best beer bread honors. It was her first ever blue ribbon. Since then, she has entered and won multiple times since. Go Cortney!

Meanwhile, we are now lamenting the impending closure of Bauhaus Brew Labs, whose Wonderstuff pilsner Cortney featured in her beer bread. That key ingredient, along with butter, honey, rosemary, and cheddar cheese, make this a flavorful, delicious bread. It bakes up with a beautiful golden crust 🍻 This is a highly recommended recipe.

Bake it! And go grab a cold one at Bauhaus. They close June 30, after 12 years. This may mean a tear or two in your beer, but that’s okay.

Find the recipe link in the comments!

If you want a showstopping dessert for your summer celebrations, grab this Giant Peanutty Banana Cookie recipe.

This cookie surely makes an impression with its oversized double chocolate cookie base and its delightful toppings. Taking center stage is a peanut butter cream cheese layer, which you top with peanuts and Reeses PB cups. You finish it with banana slices and a chocolate drizzle.

Find the recipe and backstory via the link in the comments.

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Want a super chicken satay for Memorial Day? Look no further than this scrumptious recipe. It’s bougie food made easy. You marinate chicken in a fun mix of sauces and spices. Think soy/fish sauces, honey, and lime, along with garlic, ginger, curry powder, cardamom, and lemongrass. The resulting flavor is fantastic! You can bake or grill the satay. And this will be a perfect weekend to make this recipe. And since you put it on a stick, it is a nice nod to the state fair season coming up. Happy Memorial Day Weekend everyone!

Find the recipe link in the comments.



https://www.blueribbongroup.net/blue-ribbon-foodies/best-ever-chicken-satay/

Brown butter is the star of this Open Sesame Cookie. It is in both the dough and the frosting. It is a simple cookie with complex flavors that are distinct, yet subtle. If you want a break from chocolate and classic cookie flavors, give these a try. They are divine!

Recipe credit goes to Gayle Willard

https://www.blueribbongroup.net/blue-ribbon-foodies/open-sesame-cookies/?recipe