Released by Christi Lightcap, state.co.us
Bakers warm up the ovens for the Gold Medal Flour Cookie Contest at the Colorado State Fair. The competition will reward the most delicious, unique and flavorful cookies from area bakers. The entry fee is only $5 and cash prizes await the top three finishers, including a $200 award for first place, $100 for second and $50 for third.
Using the premium quality of Gold Medal Flour, contestants are asked to create their own unique cookie recipe for any kind of cookie from scratch. Any style, size or shape is welcome. Let your taste buds and imagination run wild. Judges choose winning recipes based on appearance, flavor, and texture.
Bakers the deadline to enter the Gold Medal Flour Cookie Contest is September 1, 2016, through the Fair’s General Entry office, Monday-Friday, 8am to 5pm, or call 719.404.2080. New this year, exhibitors can now enter online. For more information, visit www.coloradostatefair.com/events/2016/gold-medal-flour-cookie-contest.
For inspiration, try these Caramel Corn Cookies, a past blue ribbon winner.
Caramel Corn Cookies
1/2 cup butter
1 /2 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/3 cups All-Purpose Gold Medal Flour
1/4 cup corn flour
2/3 cup freeze-dried corn powder
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup Dulce de leche (from 13.4 oz can)
1/3 cup chopped pecans
Combine butter, shortening and sugars. Beat 2 minutes. Add vanilla and egg. Beat 5 minutes. Add cinnamon, Gold Medal flour, corn flour, corn powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix until dough comes together. Cover and chill dough 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Portion out dough by rounded tablespoons, rolling each into a ball. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Pat to 1/2-inch high disks. Bake 15-18 minutes. Cool completely. Drizzle with Dulce de leche and sprinkle on pecans.
The Colorado State Fair runs August 26-September 5, 2016. For more information, visit www.coloradostatefair.com.
The 2016 Colorado State Fair will mark the Fair’s 144th year as Colorado’s premier celebration of agriculture. The Fairgrounds provides nearly $34 million in economic activity to Colorado throughout the year; $29 million of that activity is driven by the annual State Fair event. In addition to showcasing Colorado agriculture, the annual event features one of the country’s largest traveling carnivals, artwork, crafts, food competitions, thrilling rodeo action, a wide variety of food and merchandise booths and a Fiesta Day honoring Colorado’s ties to the Hispanic culture.
Ed. Note: Some flour is under recall. Check the US FDA information online before using flour that may be under a current recall.
