Skip to content

Top Navigation

Midwest Living Midwest Living
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Home
  • Garden
  • Holidays
  • Videos
  • current issue
  • Sweepstakes
  • Road Rally
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Win Your Dream Getaway!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Magazine Issues
  • Destinations
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Midwest Living

Midwest Living Midwest Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 Fresh Places to Eat, Drink, Play and Stay This Winter

      7 Fresh Places to Eat, Drink, Play and Stay This Winter

      Hot off the minds of Midwest travel writers: a fresh look at where to eat, drink, play and stay around the region. Read More
    • Meet Five Midwest Cake Creators (and Try Their Recipes)

      Meet Five Midwest Cake Creators (and Try Their Recipes)

      One has conquered the world of plant-based baking. Another runs a microbakery from her home. Two own businesses with their spouses. And the fifth is a James Beard finalist chef. The common thread? Absolutely delicious cakes. Read More
    • The No-Fail Relish Tray Recipe is Here

      The No-Fail Relish Tray Recipe is Here

      For many Midwesterners, holiday feasting kicks off with a relish tray. We dare not mess with an icon—at least, not too much. Read More
  • Travel

    Travel

    See All Travel
    Why Wisconsin Supper Clubs Just Keep Getting Better With Age

    Why Wisconsin Supper Clubs Just Keep Getting Better With Age

    At Wisconsin supper clubs, the steak is served rare and the traditions are well done. Like the brandy in an Old-Fashioned, these timeless institutions only get better with age.
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Family Travel
    • Around the Region
    • Beyond the Region
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Missouri
    • Nebraska
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • South Dakota
    • Wisconsin
    • Free Travel Info
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food
    Tomatoey Parmesan Beans

    Tomatoey Parmesan Beans

    This sleeper hit of a weeknight dinner comes from Food Network star Molly Yeh's cookbook Home is Where the Eggs Are—and is basically a vehicle for Parmesan and garlic toast. No complaints! (The alternate version, with ham and cream, is excellent too.)
    • Comfort Foods
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Breakfast
    • Quick & Easy
    • Chicken
    • Soups & Stews
    • Midwest Favorites
    • Fruits & Vegetables
    • Fish
    • Grilling
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    Avid DIYers Transform a 1929 Chicago Home One Project at a Time

    Avid DIYers Transform a 1929 Chicago Home One Project at a Time

    With visions of dinner parties and game nights dancing in their heads, a Chicago couple renovated their historic (and first) home, one DIY project at a time.
    • Quick Decorating
    • Featured Homes
    • Organizing & Storage
    • Outdoor Living
    • Seasonal Decorating
    • Room Decorating
  • Garden

    Garden

    See All Garden
    How to Care for Flowering Houseplants

    How to Care for Flowering Houseplants

    Author Lisa Eldred Steinkopf shares how to make blooms last longer—and repeat.
    • Container Gardens
    • Flowers
    • Featured Gardens
    • Midwest Gardening Calendar
    • Garden Ideas & Inspiration
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays
    Unique Midwest Light Displays to See This Winter

    Unique Midwest Light Displays to See This Winter

    Buses, trains and very few automobiles—check out these out-of-the-ordinary holiday lights displays.
    • Easter
    • July 4th
    • Thanksgiving
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
    • Valentine's Day
  • Videos

    Videos

    See All Videos
    Chef Jorge Guzmán's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales

    Chef Jorge Guzmán's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales

    Tamales are a project, but many hands—even tiny ones—make lighter work.
    • Brighten Your Front Door with This Colorful Easter Egg Wreath
    • These DIY Orange Beeswax Candles Will Make Your Home Smell Amazing
    • Ring in the New Year with This Glam Star Garland
    • How to Make a Modern Fruit Cake Box
    • An Eye-Catching Oval Treat Box You Can Make
    • Make a Colorful Paper Raffia Wreath to Welcome Fall
    • How to Make a Dried Floral Arrangement
    • How to Make an Easy Pina Colada
    • How to Make an Amazing Pavlova
    • How to Make Pumpkin-Spice Icebox Cake
    • How to Make an All-Butter Pie Crust
    • DIY Pistachio Wheat Stalks for Fall Decorating
  • current issue

    current issue

    See All current issue
    About Us

    About Us

    • March/April 2022 Issue
    • January/February 2022 Issue
    • November/December 2021 Issue
    • September/October 2021 Issue
    • July/August 2021 Issue
    • May/June 2021 Issue
    • Summer 2022 Issue
    • Fall 2022 Issue
    • Winter 2022 Issue
  • Sweepstakes
  • Road Rally
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Win Your Dream Getaway!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Magazine Issues
  • Destinations
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Midwest Living
  2. Food
  3. Comfort Foods
  4. How to Make State Fair Foods at Home

How to Make State Fair Foods at Home

By The editors of MidwestLiving.com Updated February 18, 2021
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Corn Dogs
Credit: Andy Lyons

Have a particular fair food that you crave every year? Here's a sampler of blue-ribbon attractions to make at home—both foods sold at state fairs as well as prize-winning fair and festival recipes.

Start Slideshow

1 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Corn Dogs

Corn dogs
Credit: Andy Lyons
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These state fair staples taste best when served right after cooking. Flour, cornmeal and sugar form the base for the batter. Be sure to pass lots of ketchup and mustard for dipping!

1 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Puffs

Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Cheese Puffs
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Dawn Logterman of Verona, Wisconsin, created this clever twist on the classic cream puffs served at the Wisconsin State Fair. Her recipe was a finalist in one of our recipe contests.

2 of 13

3 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Strawberry Smoothies

Strawberry Smoothies
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Blended strawberry drinks always rank high with visitors to the South Dakota State Fair in Huron. Here's our version of the sweet, crimson specialty, which also is popular at other fairs. (Love other flavors? See more smoothie recipes.)

3 of 13

Advertisement

4 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Grilled Pork Chops

Spice-Rubbed Grilled Pork Chops on a Stick
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Thick, grilled pork chops are a favorite at many state fairs. Our recipe was inspired by the juicy chops traditionally served along the route of RAGBRAI (the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa).

4 of 13

5 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Singular Strawberry Shortcake

Singular Strawberry Shortcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Besides golden caramel corn, burgers, funnel cakes, and sweet corn, strawberry shortcake stars at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. Here's our Test Kitchen's recipe for individual-size shortcakes to try at home for a summertime treat. (And here's a link to more shortcake recipes for different flavors and fillings.)

5 of 13

6 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Rib Eye Sandwiches with the Works

Rib Eye Sandwiches with the Works
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Juicy grilled beef topped with caramelized onions makes a mouthwatering sandwich at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis. Serve on split and toasted rolls with steak sauce or creamy Dijon-style mustard.

6 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Minnesota Fudge Puppies

Minnesota Fudge Puppies
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These waffles get their name from the fact that they're served on a stick, like corn dogs. They used to be a staple at the Minnesota State Fair, where Granny's Kitchen made fresh Belgian waffles, dipped them in chocolate and topped them with whipped cream and crunchy sprinkles, strawberries or candies. Our version (recipe link above) uses frozen waffles.

Another fun fair dessert: Elephant Ears. Our version starts with frozen white bread dough and adds sugar and cinnamon.

7 of 13

8 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Blueberry-Almond Bars

Blueberry-Almond Bars
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fruit fillings complement the sweetness of other bar cookie ingredients. Blueberry-Almond Bars was a grand champion award recipe at the Marshall County Fair's annual Blueberry Bake-A-Rama in Plymouth, Indiana. Lori Van Der Weele combined blueberries, butter, white baking pieces and almonds for this winner.

8 of 13

9 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Blue-Ribbon Angel Food Cake

Blue-Ribbon Angel Food Cake
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This angel food cake, based on a family recipe, won a blue ribbon at Ohio's Canfield Fair. 

9 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Grilled Behemoth Drumsticks

Grilled Behemoth Drumsticks
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Many Midwest state fairs serve this portable food with a medieval twist (recipe link above). Brush drumsticks with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and then grill to juicy perfection.

10 of 13

11 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Lemon-Orange Shakeups

Lemon-Orange Shakeups
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This quick-fix summer soother, served at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, is a simple but refreshing blend of lemon juice, orange juice, sugar and water. Just shake and serve!

11 of 13

12 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Marjorie's Chocolate Chip Cookies

Marjorie's Chocolate Chip Cookies
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Marjorie Johnson of Robbinsdale, Minnesota, won one of her 2,500 state fair ribbons with this recipe. It's also part of her cookbook, The Road to Blue Ribbon Baking.

The secret to these cookies' great flavor: All butter (no shortening or oil); heavy on white versus brown sugar; chopped walnuts.

12 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Double Chocolate-Cherry Cookies

Double Chocolate-Cherry Cookies
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Carol Schneider of Wausau, Wisconsin, brought home a blue ribbon when she entered these cookies at the Wisconsin State Fair. The recipe combines white and semisweet chocolate with dried cherries and walnuts.

13 of 13

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By The editors of MidwestLiving.com

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 13 Corn Dogs
    2 of 13 Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Puffs
    3 of 13 Strawberry Smoothies
    4 of 13 Grilled Pork Chops
    5 of 13 Singular Strawberry Shortcake
    6 of 13 Rib Eye Sandwiches with the Works
    7 of 13 Minnesota Fudge Puppies
    8 of 13 Blueberry-Almond Bars
    9 of 13 Blue-Ribbon Angel Food Cake
    10 of 13 Grilled Behemoth Drumsticks
    11 of 13 Lemon-Orange Shakeups
    12 of 13 Marjorie's Chocolate Chip Cookies
    13 of 13 Double Chocolate-Cherry Cookies

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Midwest Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Help
    • Free Newsletters this link opens in a new tab
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Renew this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Affiliate Program
    • Free Travel Info this link opens in a new tab
    • Special Promotions this link opens in a new tab
    • Sweepstakes this link opens in a new tab
    • Video
    • Home Advisor this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMidwest Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Midwest Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.midwestliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    How to Make State Fair Foods at Home
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.