Prize Winning Recipes II

Prize Winning Recipes 

First Place: Cinnamon Popcorn

1 cup butter
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 1/2 cups red hot candies
8 to 10 cups air popped popcorn

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.  Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.  In a medium saucepan, melt butter, corn syrup, and red hot candies.  Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minute.  Put popcorn in a large heat proof bowl.  Pour syrup mixture over popcorn, stir to coat.  Pour mixture onto baking sheets.  Bake for 30 minutes.  Let cool. Break apart.  Store in an airtight container.

Second Place: Kool Aid Pie

1(12 ounce) can evaporated milk
2/3 cup sugar
1 (.15 ounce) package Kool Aid (cherry was used, but you could use any flavor)
2 cups Cool Whip
6 mini graham cracker pie crust, or 1 (9 inch) pie crust

In large bowl, beat evaporated milk with an electric mixer until it is doubled in size.  Add sugar and Kool Aid, beat until thickened, about 5 minutes.  Place in graham cracker crusts.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Top with Cool Whip.

Third Place: Cranberry-Vanilla Cereal Drops

3 cups cereal flakes
1 1/2 cups macadamia nuts, toasted
1 1/4 cups vanilla candy coating
1 1/2 cups small marshmallows
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Line cookie sheets with wax paper.  In large microwave safe bowl, combine all ingredients except candy coating.  In small saucepan, melt candy coating over low heat.  Pour over cereal mixture, stir quickly to coat.  Quickly drop by rounded teaspoons on waxed paper.  If mixture sets up, microwave 30 seconds.  Let drops set for 1 hour or until set.

These are the prize winning recipes from a contest for kid's after school snacks.  The lady who judged the popcorn, couldn't quite eating it.  That made my friend Darrellyn who entered the popcorn recipe and won first place, very happy!

I am in Costa Rica and having trouble with the Internet connection.  I have posted some pictures of my trip on my  Facebook page.

My new cookbook will soon be available at schools, businesses, hospitals, and book fairs in cities across the United States.  Be sure to pick up a copy or two, when you see them.  They make great gifts!

Check back on Tuesday, 

for Tuesday's Tip and Tricks post! 

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Prize Winning Dessert Recipes!

Frozen Harvest Pie 

First Place, Entered By: Gina Kohrs

2 (9 inch) graham cracker crusts

1 quart Butter Brickle or vanilla caramel ice cream, softened

2 cups canned pumpkin pie mix

2 (8 ounce) containers frozen whipped topping, thawed

In large bowl, combine ice cream, pie filling, and 1 cup whipped topping.  Mix well.  Pour into crusts.  Freeze 15 minutes.  Spread remaining whipped topping over pies.  Freeze at least 2 hours.  Garnish with cinnamon and candy if desired.  

 

Cinnamon Caramel Pecan Bake

Second Place, Entered By: Louise Piper

 

4 large eggs, beaten

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 (12 1/2 ounce) jar caramel ice cream topping

1 cup cinnamon chips

1 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In large bowl, combine eggs, butter, and caramel topping.  Mix well.  Add cinnamon chips and pecans.  Mix well.  Pour into 4, 8 ounce buttered ramekins. Bake 25 minutes. 

Decedent Chocolate Hazelnut Pie

Third Place, Entered By: Liza Ludwig

1 pie crust, baked, cooled

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread

1 tub of Philly Cheese Cake Complete

3 cups whipped topping

In large bowl, combine sugar, Nutella, and cheese cake complete.  With an electric mixer, beat for 5 minutes.  Gently fold in 2 cups of whipped topping.  Pour mixture into pie shell.  Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.  Before serving, spread remaining whipped topping over top of pie.  Garnish with chocolate shavings if desired.  

The Winners!

Liza Ludwig (3rd Place), Louise Piper (2nd Place),
and Gina Kohrs (1st Place).

The final contest I judged this summer, was the Quick and Easy Dessert Contest, at the Clay County Fair.  You do the judging in front of an audience.  As you look out over the sea of faces, you can spot the people who have entered the contest.  The stress, anxiety, and hope of winning, is stamped on their faces.  Picking a winner is so hard!  There are so many great cooks who enter the contests.  

The three winners here, out did themselves!  I plan to make each and every recipe in this post.  The Frozen Harvest Pie, will be on my Thanksgiving table.  It is a rich and creamy pie that is sure to please my family.  My mom is making the, Cinnamon Caramel Pecan Bake, this weekend.  That recipe reminds me of pecan rolls.  And I am making the, Chocolate Hazelnut Pie, for the upcoming potluck at our church.  The smooth chocolate flavor, will win over anyone who does not like Nutella. 

Three Iowa State Fair Cookbooks

My Cookbook

I will be drawing a name from my followers to win four cookbooks, on Friday, October 1st.   The contest is open to all of my followers, regardless of where they live.   If your name is drawn and you have a blog, I will mention your blog address on my "Fast Food Friday's" radio show on the The Passion Radio Network, and then post your blog address on my blog. 

 

Sign up as a FOLLOWER for your chance to win!

Check out my blogging buddy, Bo's Blog (say that three times fast), Bo's Bowl.   Not only does he have great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

  

Also check out my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!  Pam is also doing a CSN Giveaway on her blog for a $65.00 gift certificate.