Each year The Association of Connecticut Fairs sponsors baking contests open to the public at participating member fairs. There are separate contests for Junior and Adult divisions, each with a specific recipe. A Two-Crusted Apple Pie Baking contest is also held.
Who may enter
The contest at each participating member fair is open to all men, women and juniors. Commercial, industrial or professional bakers are not eligible. Divisions: Juniors (ages 7 to 15 as of July 1st) and Adult.
How to enter
All men, women or juniors entering a contest at any participating member fair is automatically entered and competing in the local contest. Contestants may enter the contest at as many fairs as they wish until they win first prize. They will then represent that fair at the state baking contest. Please submit entries to both the local and state contest on disposable plates. The Association of Connecticut Fairs and the member fairs are not responsible for the return of plates, trays or containers.
Judging
Judging will be based on appearance, flavor and texture. The Association of Connecticut Fairs will furnish judges’ score sheets to each fair and the contestant will receive these sheets at the end of the contest. Additions, deletions or substitutions in the recipe are not permitted and will result in disqualification. All decisions of the judges are final.
Local contest
The winner of the local contest will receive a blue ribbon from the Association of Connecticut Fairs and will then become eligible to submit their entry at the state contest. In the event that only one entry is received at the local contest and that entry is worthy of first prize, that entry must be awarded the first place ribbon.
State Contest
The state contest is held as part of the Fall Meeting and Convention of the Association of Connecticut Fairs. Entries for the state contest are accepted from 8:00 am to 10:00 a.m. on the day of the judging (contact your local fair or visit www.ctagfairs.org for the date and location). Contest winners are announced at the Fall Meeting. Each fair is responsible for contacting their contest winner and providing them with information. The Association of Connecticut Fairs does not contact individual fairs or contest winners in regards to contest and banquet reservations nor does the Association of Connecticut Fairs cover the costs of attending the awards banquet. NO BANQUET RESERVATIONS FOR CONTEST WINNERS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE DOOR.
Ingredients
For the cake
3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 egg
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon King Arthur Baking All-Purpose flour, divided
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
For the topping
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/3 cup King Arthur Baking All-Purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Grease an 8×8-inch pan.
3. In a large bowl, cream 3/4 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup butter, 1 egg, and the lemon zest together until fluffy.
4. In a separate bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour with the baking powder and salt.
5. Add the dry ingredient mixture and the milk into the sugar mixture, alternating between the two as you add and mixing until just combined.
6. Toss the blueberries with 1 tablespoon of flour.
7. Fold the blueberries into the batter.
8. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
9. For the topping, combine the butter, brown sugar, white sugar, flour, and cinnamon together in a small bowl until a crumbly mixture forms.
10. Sprinkle the topping mixture over the batter in the pan.
11. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40-45 minutes.
12. Once cooled, cut into 9 equal pieces.
Submit five pieces on a white paper plate.
Judging Criteria
| Flavor | 40 points |
| Overall appearance | 25 points |
| Texture | 15 points |
| Following Directions | 10 points |
| Aroma | 10 points |
| Total Score | 100 points |
Prizes
The following prizes and a rosette will be awarded at the annual state contest held in November. Honorable Mention Ribbons will be awarded.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20.00 | $15.00 | $10.00 | $7.50 | $5.00 | $5.00 | $5.00 | $5.00 | $2.50 | $2.50 |
King Arthur Flour is sponsoring ribbons and prizes at the Annual State Contest held in November.