Midwest Fair Favorites

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.

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Blueberry-Almond Bars

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.Blueberry-Almond Bars

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Blue-Ribbon Angel Food Cake

This angel food cake, based on a family recipe, won a blue ribbon at Ohio's Canfield Fair. A Midwest classic, it was featured in our August 1995 issue.Blue-Ribbon Angel Food Cake

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Hot Dogs on a Stick

Also known as corn dogs, these state fair staples taste best when served right after cooking. Flour, dry mustard, cornmeal and sugar form the base for the batter. Be sure to pass lots of ketchup and mustard for dipping!Hot Dogs on a Stick

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Grilled Behemoth Drumsticks

Many Midwest state fairs serve this portable food with a medieval twist. Brush drumsticks with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and then grill to juicy perfection.Another grilled favorite: Hearty Iowa Chops. The thick, slow-cooked chop lures many visitors to the Iowa Pork Producers tent at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.Grilled Behemoth Drumsticks Hearty Iowa Chops

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Strawberry Smoothies

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.Strawberry Smoothies

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Singular Strawberry Shortcake

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.Singular Strawberry Shortcake

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Lemon-Orange Shakeups

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!Lemon-Orange Shakeups

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Rib Eye Sandwiches with the Works

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.Rib Eye Sandwiches with the Works

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Minnesota Fudge Puppies

These waffles get their name from the fact that they're served on a stick, like corn dogs. They're a staple at the Minnesota State Fair, where Granny's Kitchen makes fresh Belgian waffles, dips them in chocolate and tops them with whipped cream and crunchy sprinkles, strawberries or candies. Our version uses frozen waffles.Another fun fair dessert: Elephant Ears. Our version starts with frozen white bread dough and adds sugar and cinnamon.Minnesota Fudge Puppies Elephant Ears

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Marjorie's Chocolate Chip Cookies

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.Marjorie's Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Caramel-Apple Pie

This recipe took first place two years in a row at the Applejack Festival's pie-baking contest in Nebraska City, Nebraska. The pie is easier to eat than a caramel apple, but tastes just as good!Caramel-Apple Pie

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Double Chocolate-Cherry Cookies

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.Double Chocolate-Cherry Cookies

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Bear-chaser Blueberry Pie

This recipe, from Angle Outpost Resort in Angle Inlet, Minnesota, won top honors at a local Blueberry Fest. We loved the intense blueberry flavor softened by the cheesecakelike cream cheese. The recipe calls for a traditional homemade crust, but you can shorten prep time by using any type of purchased crust. Our picture shows the pie with a graham cracker crust.Bear-chaser Blueberry Pie

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Paradise Pumpkin Pie

A cheesecake layer and nut topping help this pumpkin pie stand out from its peers. This recipe was a winner at the Morton, Illinois, Pumpkin Festival baking competition.Paradise Pumpkin Pie

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Midwest Fair Favorites

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Blueberry-Almond Bars

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Blue-Ribbon Angel Food Cake

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Hot Dogs on a Stick

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Grilled Behemoth Drumsticks

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Strawberry Smoothies

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Singular Strawberry Shortcake

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Lemon-Orange Shakeups

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Rib Eye Sandwiches with the Works

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Minnesota Fudge Puppies

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Marjorie's Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Caramel-Apple Pie

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Double Chocolate-Cherry Cookies

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Bear-chaser Blueberry Pie

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Paradise Pumpkin Pie

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