Blue Ribbon Foodies

06/17/2026

5 years ago at the Minnesota State Fair, this Minnesota Honey Beer Bread from baker Cortney Carlson won best beer bread honors. It was her first ever blue ribbon. Since then, she has entered and won multiple times since. Go Cortney!

Meanwhile, we are now lamenting the impending closure of Bauhaus Brew Labs, whose Wonderstuff pilsner Cortney featured in her beer bread. That key ingredient, along with butter, honey, rosemary, and cheddar cheese, make this a flavorful, delicious bread. It bakes up with a beautiful golden crust 🍻 This is a highly recommended recipe.

Bake it! And go grab a cold one at Bauhaus. They close June 30, after 12 years. This may mean a tear or two in your beer, but that’s okay.

Find the recipe link in the comments!

05/26/2026

If you want a showstopping dessert for your summer celebrations, grab this Giant Peanutty Banana Cookie recipe.

This cookie surely makes an impression with its oversized double chocolate cookie base and its delightful toppings. Taking center stage is a peanut butter cream cheese layer, which you top with peanuts and Reeses PB cups. You finish it with banana slices and a chocolate drizzle.

Find the recipe and backstory via the link in the comments.

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05/22/2026

Want a super chicken satay for Memorial Day? Look no further than this scrumptious recipe. It’s bougie food made easy. You marinate chicken in a fun mix of sauces and spices. Think soy/fish sauces, honey, and lime, along with garlic, ginger, curry powder, cardamom, and lemongrass. The resulting flavor is fantastic! You can bake or grill the satay. And this will be a perfect weekend to make this recipe. And since you put it on a stick, it is a nice nod to the state fair season coming up. Happy Memorial Day Weekend everyone!

Find the recipe link in the comments.



https://www.blueribbongroup.net/blue-ribbon-foodies/best-ever-chicken-satay/

05/07/2026

Brown butter is the star of this Open Sesame Cookie. It is in both the dough and the frosting. It is a simple cookie with complex flavors that are distinct, yet subtle. If you want a break from chocolate and classic cookie flavors, give these a try. They are divine!

Recipe credit goes to Gayle Willard

https://www.blueribbongroup.net/blue-ribbon-foodies/open-sesame-cookies/?recipe

03/28/2026

Today would not be complete without posting something for “National Something on a Stick Day.” Have an awesome weekend everyone!

Pictured: Homemade Salted Nut Rolls, from BlueRibbonGroup.net

03/17/2026

In the spirit of St Patrick’s day, make some melt-in-your-mouth,citrus flavored shortbread. With so few ingredients, be sure to use the good stuff 😊

Lime Icebox Shortbread
1 cup butter, such as Land O Lakes, softened
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon lime extract
2-3 drops green food color
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Cream together butter, sugar, extracts, and food color. Slowly add the flour, scraping down the sides once or twice. Mix just until blended into a smooth soft dough. Form into desired shape (long square logs for bite size portions, as shown). Chill 2 or more hours. Slice and place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake in pre-heated 375 degree oven, just until edges barely start to brown, about 5 minutes for bite size portions, about 7-9 minutes for larger sizes. Keep a close eye on them. Allow to cool on sheet 5 minutes before moving to cooling rack. Enjoy!

03/14/2026

Celebrate!

It’s Pi(e) Day! 🥧 If you multiply 3.14 by 10, you get approximately the amount of new bakery display space added to the Creative Activities Building in 2025 (30 feet, that is).

A brand-new cooler allowed for the showcasing of even more delicious entries, including pies! This expansion was supported by donors of the Minnesota State Fair Foundation 501(c)(3).

03/13/2026

Well, darn it. We missed our chance to highlight these Homemade Samoas for National Girl Scout Day yesterday. Don’t let that stop you from putting these on your must make list. The jumbo size, made in a springform pan, is the easier version of the two options. Both have a great visual presentation and taste phenomenal.

Recipe credit goes to Annette Saylor who won 1st place with the recipe at the Carolina Classic Fair (2016, Gold Medal Flour Cookie Contest).

Find the recipe link in the comments.

03/06/2026

If you are looking for something epic to bake for St. Patrick’s Day coming up, try these Guinness Chocolate Cookies. They won one of our special contests a decade ago, and they are STILL one of our faves.

They feature the notorious dark beer from Ireland and four different types of chocolate: cocoa powder, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. They are rich and they are YUM.

Didja know it’s also Chocolate Chip Cookie Week?

Go ahead, get these cookies in your oven!

Find the recipe link in our bio (on Instagram) or in the comments (on Facebook).

03/01/2026

With today being “National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day,” there’s no better way to kick off the month of March, than making these peanut butter treats.




Coconut Peanut Butter Power Balls

1/4 cup coconut oil

3/4 cup peanut butter

1 cup quick oats

1 tablespoon honey

2 tablespoons wheat germ

2 tablespoons ground flaxseed

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup real maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup mini chocolate chips

1 cup shredded coconut (or flakes), divided



In large bowl, mix until well combined: coconut oil, peanut butter, quick oats, honey, wheat germ, ground flaxseed, vanilla, maple syrup, salt, chocolate chips, and 3/4 cup coconut flakes until well combined. Scoop by heaping tablespoons (about 1 ounce each). Press tightly together and shape into balls. Roll in remaining coconut, pressing as needed to make it stick. Makes 22.