Eat Well with Wisconsin Apples!

Click Here to Jump to recipes                    Find out when your favorite variety will be ripe!

Health Benefits of Apples

Apples are unique.  They differ from other foods because they're one of the best sources of pectin, a type of fiber.  Research indicates that pectin limits the cholesterol the body absorbs and may be an important link to preventing heart disease.

Besides being high in pectin, apples are a source of vitamins A, B1, B2, C and niacin as well as minerals phosphorous, iron, magnesium, iodine, and potassium.  Apples are low in sodium.  That means that apples help prevent infections, aid growth,  are important for eyesight, and help digestion.

Dieters often find apples an ideal food because they're sweet and bulky, yet only have 80 calories per medium apple.  They fill you up, not out.

Keeping Qualities

Select the right apple for your needs.  Various apples mature at different times and have individual characteristics.  Tart, firm apples are for cooking; sweeter apples are best eaten raw.  Use the tart, firm apples for pies, desserts, cakes, breads and sauces. Put the sweeter apples in the lunch box or for salads and snacks.

Apples come in all shades of red, yellow, and green.  Full color alone is not indicative of quality or maturity.  A mature apple has full flavor and aroma, and pleasing flesh texture.  The surface should be firm and reasonably free of bruises, blemished, and surface breaks.  If the skin looks damaged, it may mean that the fruit is too ripe or was handled poorly.

Apples have good keeping qualities.  Handle them lightly - a little care on your part helps them retain their sweet crispness and juiciness.  Store small quantities in your refrigerator, in plastic bags in the crisper - between 34 and 40 degrees F.   You can keep larger quantities in a cool basement; a cool spot in the garage will do until freezing time.

Because apples can absorb odors from other foods stored in the same area, keep apples in plastic bags.  The plastic also helps to retain their own moisture.

To keep cut apples from turning brown, sprinkle the sliced apples with lemon juice or immerse the in a solution that will coat and protect them.  One to two tablespoons of juice per one cup of water works well.

Apple ripen six to ten times faster at room temperature than if they were refrigerated.  One or two days sitting on the counter top and the fresh crunch of your apples is lost forever.

Winning Apple Recipes

The Wisconsin Apple Growers Association is proud to sponsor the annual State Fair Recipe Contest.  Here are some winners and entries from past Wisconsin State Fair Contests!  

2022 Wisconsin State Fair Recipes

Apple of my eye pie Division

Apple Pie-fection  - 1st place

Catherine Price, Big Bend

Pate Sucree (Sweet Shortcrust Pastry)	Filling
3 large Egg Yolks 1/4 c Heavy Cream 2 3/4 c All-purpose Flour 1 c chilled, unsalted Butter, cut into 1/2" cubes 1/4 C Sugar plus 3 Tbs 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt	6 c  Peeled and thinly sliced Granny Smith apples 1/2 c  white Sugar 1/2 c  brown Sugar 1/2 c  All-purpose Flour 1 tsp  Cinnamon

  

To make pastry, everything must be cold.

Whisk egg yolks and cream in small bowl; set aside.

Pulse flour, sugar and salt in a food processor to combine.  Add the butter and pulse until a coarse crumb forms.  With machine running gradually add cream mixture; blend just to combine.

Transfer dough to a large work surface.  Knead just to incorporate, 4-5 turns.  Divide dough in half; shape each half into a 1-inch think disk and wrap each disk separately in plastic.  Chill until firm, at least 2 hours.

Remove one piece of dough from refrigerator, and roll out a circle to fit your pie dish, making sure it overlaps the lip of the dish slightly.  Lightly grease the pie dish and snuggly fit the dough into it, leaving the excess to overhang; prick the bottom of the pie crust with a form and return it to the refrigerator. 

Prepare the pie filling by combining the dry ingredients and coating the apples evenly.  Take out the lined pie dish and place the apple mixture into the dish.

Roll out remaining  ball of dough to form the top crust.  Place top crust over the apple filling, adjusting as necessary, being careful not to stretch the dough.

Complete the pie by decorating the crust (flute, vent or pattern)  [an egg wash can be brushed on the top crust, if desired.]

Bake in hot over (375F) 45-50 minutes; pie is ready when the top is nicely brown and apple are cooked...you can test the doneness of the apples by using a cake tester through the vent holes in the top of the pie.

Nana's Brown Bag Apple Pie  - 2nd place

Lois Trongard, Pewaukee

Crust	Filling	Streusel Topping
1 1/2 c  All-purpose Flour 1/2 c  Shortening 1/2 tsp  Salt 5 Tbs Ice Water	8 c  Peeled and Granny Smith apples 1/4 c  Sugar 2 Tbs  All-purpose Flour 1 tsp  Cinnamon 1/2 tsp  Nutmeg 2 Tbs Lemon Juice	1 c  Granulated Sugar 1 c  All-purpose Flour 2/3 c  Butter 1 large Paper Bag

Preheat oven to 400F.  Combine the first measure of flour, salt and shortening using a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Stir in the water, a little at a time, using a fork and form the dough into a ball.  Roll our the pastry dough on a lightly floured board.  Roll to a 11- or 12-inch diameter.  Fit into a 9" pie pan and flute the edges.

Combine the sugar, second measure of flour, the cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon juice in a large bowl.  Toss the apple slices in the mixture.  Arrange the apple slices in the pie crust.

Topping: Combine the sugar and flour in a bowl and cut the butter using a pastry cutter.  Sprinkle the topping over the apple pie filling making sure the whole pie is covered.  Place the pie in the large paper bag.  Place the paper bag on a baking sheet and loosely fold the open end of the bag under.  Bake until the apples are tender, 50-60 minutes.  Carefully remove the pie from the bag.  Makes 1 pie.

Apple of My Eye Pie - 3rd place

Marilyn Kosina, Greenfield

Crust	Filling	Streusel Topping
1  c  Flour 1 stick Butter 1/2 tsp  Salt	6 apples of your choice 2 Tbs  All-purpose Flour 3/4 c  Sugar 1 tsp  Cinnamon 1/2 c  Ground Nuts	3/4 c  Flour 1 c  Sugar 1/2 c  Butter 1/4 tsp Cinnamon 1 jar Caramel Topping

Filling: Mix together and put into pie shell.

Topping: Mix together and sprinkle over the apples.  Bake at 400F for 15 minutes, then turn over to 350F and bake for 1 hour.  Cover with foil if the top is getting too brown.  Cool pie and drizzle with caramel topping and ground nuts.

2020 Wisconsin State Fair Recipes

Caramel Apple Division

Caramel Apple Cheesecake  - 1st place

Lorri Remich, East Troy, WI

Ingredients

CRUST:

I 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup ground pecans

1 stick melted Wisconsin Butter

2 T sugar

1 T cinnamon

CARMEL APPLE LAYER:

30 caramel candies, unwrapped

2T cream or milk

2T flour so that your caramel doesn't dissolve into the cake I

2 peeled and sliced Wisconsin grown Apples

FILLING:

3-8 oz packages cream cheese (room temp)

2/3 c. loosely packed brown sugar

3 T apple juice concentrate

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

1 T. flour

TOPPING:

Whipped Cream, cooked Wisconsin apples and a caramel drizzle

Directions:

Mix crust ingredients together and press on the bottom and 1/2 up the side of a 9.5" springform pan. (l

line with parchment paper tool)

Bake at 350 for 8 minutes.

Remove from oven and while it cools, reduce oven temperature to 325 and prepare caramel apple

layer... melt candies with milk until smooth, then add flour... toss with apples and layer evenly on top of

your par baked crust.

Cream room temperature cream cheese with sugar, vanilla, apple juice concentrate, cinnamon until

smooth, then add eggs one at a time. Mix thoroughly, but do not over mix. Overmixing creates air that

can result in cracks. Cracks are the enemy of cheesecake!

Place in the center of the oven with a pan of water beneath the pan. l'm not a big fan of water baths

because the texture of the cake often comes out too soft.

Allow to cool completely, refrigerate overnight.

Top with whipped cream, Wisconsin Apples and drizzle with caramel.

Note: the apples I used for the topping I cooked in apple juice from a local orchard (Thank you Elegant

Farmer!) I did NOT add sugar because the apples are already perfectly sweet and with the added

caramel drizzle, I didn't want it to be too sweet.

 WI BEST APPLE GOOEY POKE CAKE - 2nd Place

Elaine Mason, Oconomowoc, Wis

CAKE:

3 3/4 CUPS WISCONSIN FUJI, JAZZ, GALA APPLES, CHOPPED

1 TABLESPOON GROUND CINNAMON

2 TEASPOON APPLE PIE SPICE AND 1/2 TEASPOON FOR THE FROSTING

2 1/4CUP ALL PURPOSE FLOUR

1/2 tsp Baking powder

1/2 tsp Baking soda

1/2 tsp Salt

1 3/4 Granulated sugar

1 CUP BUTTER, SOFTENED

2 TEASPOONS VANILLA

4 Large Eggs

1 LARGE EGG YOK

1 CUP Buttermilk

1 CUP Walnuts

TOPPING:

 1 1/2 Cups Wl JAZZ, GALA, FUJI APPLES, CHOPPED

1/2 CUP APPLE JUICE

1/4 CUP BROWN SUGAR

PLACE IN SMALL SAUCEPAN AND SAUTE/ LOW HEAT TILL APPLES ARE SLIGHTLY TENDER, COOL

1 1/2 CUPS CARAMEL SAUCE *  (MAY USE STORE BOUGHT OR HOMEMADE)

FROSTING:

12 OZ SOFTENED CREAM CHEESE

6 OZ SOFTENED BUTTER

2 TABLESPOON SOUR CREAM

1/2 TEASPOON VANILLA

1/2 TEASPOON APPLE PIE SPICE

2 CUPS POWDERED SUGAR

 DIRECTIONS

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES, LINE A 9 X13 PAN WITH PARCHMENT PAPER

MIX DRY INGREDIENTS IN SEPARATE BOWL. WITH A STAND MIXER, CREAM BUTTER, SUGAR, ADD EGGS.

ADD DRY INGREDIENTS.  ADD BUTTERMILK AND VANILLA.  FOLD IN APPLES AND WALNUTS.

BAKE 45 MINUTES: COOL

POKE HOLES IN CAKE WITH A SPATUIA AND POUR CARAMEL SAUCE OVER CAKE. PLACE COOKED APPLES

ON TOP REFRIGERATE OVER NIGHT

FROST BEFORE TAILGATING/SPRINKLE WITH1/2 CUP TOFFEE BITS / DRIZZLE \A/ITH CARAMEL TOPPING

SERVES:12

*MY CREAMY CARAMEL SAUCE

 3/4 CUP BUTTER, 1 1/2CUPS BROWN SUGAR,   2 TBS WATER, 1/4 TSP SALT

1/2 CUP EVAPORATED MILK, 1 TBS VANILLA

IN MEDIUM SAUCE PAN, PLACE THE BUTTER, SUGAR, AND

WATER, STIR OVER MEDIUM HEAT, BRING TO A BOIL AND WHISK TILL THICKENED, ABOUT 5 MINUTES

TAKE OFF HEAT AND STIR IN MILK AND VANILLA.

CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE DELIGHTS - 3rd Place

Susan Hogg, Greenfield, Wis.

INGREDIENTS

Cinnamon Apple 

3 cups diced WISCONSIN granny smith apples 

2 tsp lemon juice r 

1/8 tsp nutmeg  

2 tsp cinnamon

6 Tbs brown sugar 

1 Tbs butter

Apple Pie Cheesecake

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk (1/2 can)

1 pkg full-fat cream cheese, softened

1 Tbs lemon juice

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 tsp Apple Pie spice

Additional:   1- cup apple granola (From Elegant Farmer)

Caramel Sauce 

1/2 cup sugar

3 Tbs salted butter; room temperature

1/4 cup heavy cream, room temperature

INSTRUCTIONS

Cinnamon Apple:

1. Combine apples, lemon juice, nutmeg, cinnamon and brown sugar in a saucepan. Mix to coat evenly.

2. Add butter and cook apples for about L5 minutes or until apples are slightly soft.   Allow to cool.

Caramel Sauce:

1. Place sugar in a saucepan and heat on medium-high while whisking or stirring until the sugar has melted

[about 5 minutes). Continue whisking until the temperature reaches 350 degrees or the sugar has turned

an amber color.

2. Remove melted sugar from heat and add butter. Whisk until melted together and mixed to one color..

3. Add the heavy cream and whisk until combined.

4. Cool caramel to room temperature.

Apple Pie Cheesecake:

1. Add the condensed milk, cream cheese, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and apple pie spice to a large bowl, then

beat with mixer for 2-3 minutes, until mixture is smooth and fluffy.

ASSEMBLY

1 Pipe an even layer of the cheesecake into the bottom of the cup.

2. Add about 2 tsp granola in an even layer.

3. Drizzle caramel over granola.

4. Spoon apples over caramel.

5. Repeat layers 1-4, then drizzle more caramel over the top.

6. Store in the fridge for 2-3 hours or longer/ready to serve.

Makes 8

2018 Wisconsin State Fair Recipe Winner

APPLE BARS DIVISION

App-lava - First Place

Stephanie Paul, Butler, WI

Ingredients

• 14 Sheets Phyllo Dough
• 2 Sticks Butter, Melted
• 1/4 tsp Freshly Ground Nutmeg
• 4 Cups Finely Diced Apples, Peeled
• 1/2 Cup Leinenkugel Honey Weiss
• 1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1 Cup Cream Cheese
• 1/2 tbl Cinnamon
• 1 tbl Sugar
• 2 Cups Honeycrisp Apple Juice
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Half n Half

Instructions

Peel and chop apples and place in a sauce pan. Mix in beer and brown sugar and cook on high until reduced (about half, little liquid.) Mix cream cheese with sugar and cinnamon. 

Mix the butter and nutmeg together. Brush butter on the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 pan. Cut the phyllo sheets in half and cover with a damp cloth.

Place first sheet in pan, and brush butter on sheet. Top with another sheet of phyllo dough and repeat. Repeat steps until you have 10 sheets that are buttered. 

Spread 1 cup of apples on phyllo dough. Spread as evenly as possible. Top with 4 more sheets of phyllo dough, buttering between. Spread cream cheese mixture, evenly, using an offset spatula. Top with 4 more sheets of phyllo dough. Spread last cup of apples, evenly. Top with 10 more sheets of phyllo dough. buttering between each one. Put extra butter on top layer. 

Cut strips 1.5" Wide. Cut strips into 2" bars. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes, or until golden brown.

When app-lava is nearing finishing baking time, boil apple juice in same sauce pan as the apples were cooked in. Reduce to 1/3 cup.

Then apple juice is reduced, add in sugar and mix. There should be at least 4 tbl butter left from buttering of the phyllo dough. Stir in 4 tbl of that butter into the apple juice mixture. Whisk in half n half. Whisk on high until temperature reaches 240 degrees. Pour over bars and let sit for at least 6 hours (uncovered.)

Makes 30 Bars

2017 Wisconsin State Fair Recipe Winner

APPLE CRISP DIVISION

Apple Crisp - First Place

Susan Kelley, New Berlin, WI

Topping

• 3/4 C All-Purpose Flour
• 1/2 C Pistachios, chopped fine
• 1/4 C Walnuts, chopped fine
• 3/4 C Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
• 1/2 C packed Light Brown Sugar
• 1/4 C Granulated Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Apple Pie Spice
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 8 T Unsalted Butter, melted

Filling

• 3 lbs Golden Delicious Apples (about 7 medium), peeled, cored, halved and cut into 1/2 inch thick wedges
• 1/4 C Granulated Sugar
• 1/4 tsp Ground Cardamom
• Seeds from 1 Vanilla Bean
• 1 C Apple Cider
• 2 tsps Juice from 1 Lemon
• 2 T Unsalted Butter

FOR THE TOPPING:  Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees.  Combine flour, pistachios, walnuts, oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, apple pie spice and salt in medium bowl.  Stir in butter until mixture is thoroughly moistened and crumbly.  Set aside while preparing fruit filling.

FOR THE FILLING:  Toss apples, granulated sugar, cardamom, and vanilla bean seeds together in large bowl; set aside.  Bring cider to simmer in large skillet over medium heat; cook until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 5 minutes.  Transfer reduced cider to bowl or liquid measuring cup; stir in lemon juice and set aside.

Heat butter in now-empty skillet over medium heat.  When foaming subsides, add apple mixture and cook, stirring frequently, until apples begin to soften and become translucent, 12 to 14 minutes.  Remove pan from heat and gently stir in cider mixture until apples are coated.  (For the Fair, I transferred the apples to a 13 x 9 inch pan, but the recipe can be completely made in an oven-proof skillet.)

Sprinkle topping evenly over fruit, breaking up any large chunks.  Bake until fruit is tender and topping is deep golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.  Cool on wire rack until warm, at least 15 minutes, and serve.

2016 Wisconsin State Fair Recipe Winners

APPLE PIE DIVISION

Rum Raisin Apple Pie - First Place

Christine Foris, Milwaukee, WI

• 2 Pie Crusts
• 5 C. Apples peeled, cored and sliced; I used Granny Smith, Transparent and Honeycrisp
• 1 T. Lemon Juice
• 1/2 C Golden Raisins
• 1/4 C Spiced Rum
• 1/2 C Pecans; coarsely chopped and roasted
• 1/4 C Hickory Nuts; coarsely chopped and roasted
• 1/3 C Walnuts: coarsely chopped and roasted
• 5 T. Tapioca Powder
• 1/2 C Brown Sugar
• 1/2 C White Sugar
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 1 tsp. Cinnamon
• 1/2 stick unsalted Butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/4 C White Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon

Make pie crust and put in refrigerator.  Pull 10 minutes before ready to use.

Soak golden raisins in spiced rum for at least one hour.  While raisins are soaking, peel, core and slice apples.  Mix with tapioca powder, sugars, cinnamon, lemon juice and salt.  Let sit for at least 10 minutes; Add raisins and mix well, let sit while laying out crust.  Combine the three nuts in a bowl and mix.  Remove 1/3 cup for bottom crust and 1/3 for top of pie.  Add the remaining 1/3 to fruit and mix well.

Place pie crust in bottom of pie plate.  Press 1/3 cup nuts in the bottom of the pie crust.  Pour filling into crust.  Top with cubed butter.  Roll out top crust.  Place on top of the filling.  Press top and side crust together with fingers.  Spritz top of crust with water or egg whites mixed with water and top with cinnamon and sugar.  Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, then turn down to 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Remove from oven and cool on rack for 1 hour.  Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

Apple Pie with Cinnamon Cream Topping - Second Place

Eileen Stutt, Wauwatosa, WI

Crust

• 2/3 C Crisco Butter Flavored Shortening
• 1 2/3 C All Purpose Flour
• 2/3 C Sugar
• 1/2 C Ground Almonds
• 1/2 C Smucker's Seedless Red Raspberry Jam

Filling

• 1/2 C Sugar
• 1 1/2 T Cornstarch
• 1 T Grated Orange Zest
• 3/4 tsp. Cinnamon
• 3 Large Tart Apples, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 T Crisco Butter Flavor Shortening

Topping

• 3 T Butter
• 1/2 C All-Purpose Flour
• 1/3 C Sliced Almonds
• 1/4 C Packed Light Brown Sugar
• 1/2 Tsp. Cinnamon

Cinnamon Cream Topping

• 1 Package Vanilla Sugar
• 1 Package Whip It
• 1/8 tsp. Cinnamon
• 1 C Heavy Whipping Cream

For the crust:  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a large bowl, combine shortening, flour, sugar and ground almonds with fingers or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Using well-floured fingers, press dough into bottom and up sides of a tart pan with a removable bottom  Spread jam over crust.

For the filling:  Combine sugar, cornstarch, orage zest and cinnamon.  Add apples and toss to coat.  Arrange apple mixture in crust.  Dot with shortening.  Bake for 30 minutes.

For the topping:  Combine topping ingredients with a fork until crumbly.  After pie has baked for 30 minutes, sprinkle with topping.  Bake pie for 15 minutes more.  Remove pie from oven and cool on a wire rack.

For the cream topping:  Beat vanilla sugar, whip it, cinnamon and shipping cream until thickened.  Decorate pie with cream topping.

Wisconsin Maple Bacon Apple Pie - Third Place

Lois Trongard, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

Crust

• 2 1/2 C Perfect Pastry Blend or Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 3/4 tsp. Salt
• 1/3 C Vegetable Shortening
• 1/2 C (1 Stick) Cold Unsalted Butter
• 7 - 10 T Ice Water

Filling

• 8 C peeled, cored and sliced Apples
• 2 T Lemon Juice
• 3/4 C Sugar
• 4 T Pie Enchancer
• 2 T Apple Pie Liquor
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp Allspice
• 1/4 C boiled cider
• 2 T Butter, diced in small pieces
• 8 - 10 Slices of Bacon
• 1/4 C Maple Syrup

To make the crust:  In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.  Work in the shortening until the mixture is evenly crumbly.  Dice the butter into 1/2" pieces, and cut into the mixture until you have flakes of butter the size of a dime.  Add the water 2 T at a time, mixing with a fork as you sprinkle the water into the dough. 

When the dough is moist enough to hold together when you squeeze it, transfer it to a piece of wax or parchment paper.  It's OK if there are some dry spots in the pile.   Use a spray bottle of water to lightly spritz these places; that way you'll add just enough water to bring the dough together without creating a wet spot.

Fold the dough over on itself three or four times to bring it together, then divide it into two pieces, one about twice as large as the other.  The larger piece will be the bottom crust; the smaller piece, the top crust.  Pat each piece of dough into a disk about 3/4" thick.

Roll each disk on its edge, like a wheel, to smooth out the edges.  This step will ensure your dough will roll out evenly without a lot of cracks and splits at the edges later.  Wrap in plastic and refrigerate foe 30 minutes before rolling.

Lightly grease a 9" pie pan that's at least 2" deep.  This will make serving the pie easier after it's baked.

To make the filling:  Combine the sliced apples, Apple Pie Liquor and lemon juice in a large mixing bowl.  In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, pie enhancer, salt and spices  Sprinkle the mixture over the apples and stir to coat them.  Stir in the boiled cider or apple juice concentrate.

Roll the larger piece of pastry into a 13" circle.  Transfer it to the prepared pan, and trim the edges so they overlap the rim of the pan by an inch all the way around.  Spoon the apple filling into the pan.  Dot the top with the diced butter.

Roll out the remaining pastry to an 11" circle.  Cut decorative vent holes, if desired; or weave a lattice.  Carefully place the pastry over the apples.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Roll the overhanging bottom crust up and over the top crust pinching to seal the two.  Crimp the edges of the pie, then place it in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to firm up the crust while the oven finishes heating.  Take pie out of refrigerator and place 5 slices of bacon evenly across the top of the pie crust.  Weave the other 4 pieces over and under the first 5.

Place the pie on a parchment-lined baking sheet.  Bake the pie for 20 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees and bake for 40 minutes more, until you see the filling bubbling inside the pie.  Check the pie after half an hour of baking time and cover the edges with foil or a pie shield to keep them from browning too quickly, if necessary.

When the pie is done, remove it from the over, brush with maple syrup and cool it completely before slicing.  Makes 1 pie.

2015 Wisconsin State Fair Recipe Winners

SALAD DIVISION

Badger Apple & Kale Salad - First Place

Named for the Red and White colors in the salad.

2015 Wisconsin State Fair - 1st Place

Susan Hogg, Greenfield

• 3 cups curly kale, washed and dried (from Farmer's Market)
• 1 pear, peeled and julienned
  
• 1 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1 cup "fresh curly lettuce," washed and dried (from Farmer's Market)
• 1 cup dried Wisconsin cranberries
  
• 1 cup Wisconsin crumbled gorgonzola cheese
• 3 pink lady apples, peeled and diced
• 1 ambrosia apple, peeled and diced
• 1 cup pecan halves
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1 small kohlrabi, peeled and diced (from Farmer's Market)
• 6 Tbsp. sugar, divided
• 1 small fennel, cut into fine julienne, (Save a few of the top leaves for garnishing finished salad.)

DIRECTIONS:

To create candy pecans: melt butter in large (10") skillet, add pecans and 4 Tbsp. sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until browned — being careful not to burn (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in remaining 2 Tbsp sugar. Spread on waxed paper to cool — break apart any that are stuck together so they cool/dry separately. Set aside to top salad before serving.

After dicing apples, be sure to coat in lemon juice to prevent browning (and for flavor).

In large bowl, tear curly kale and curly fresh lettuce. Add apples, kohlrabi and pear. Set aside 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds and pecans, but add remaining ingredients and toss with Apple Vinaigrette Dressing (see below).

Apple Vinaigrette Dressing:

• 1/2 c. canola oil
• 1 Tbsp. honey
• 3/4 c. apple juice concentrate
• 2 tsp. sugar, or to taste
• 1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 tsp. garlic & herb powder
• 1/3 cup. white wine vinegar
• 1/4 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. dijon mustard
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp. lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl. Keep refrigerated (refrigerate about an hour before serving to mix flavors well). Shake or whisk and pour on salad, then toss salad before serving.  Add pecans and 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds to top salad before serving.

Serves 6-8

Wisconsin Apple Crunch Salad - 2nd Place

Wisconsin State Fair 2015 - 2nd Place

Elaine Mason, Oconomowoc

• 2 CHOPPED WI FIJI APPLES
  
• 2 CHOPPPED WI GALA APPLES
  
• 2 CHOPPED WI MCINTOSH APPLES 1 CUP SHREDDED BROCCOLI 1/2 CUP SHREDDED CABBAGE
  
• 1/4 CUP SHREDDED CARROT
  
• JUICE OF 1 LEMON
  
• 1/4 CUP SLICED ALMONDS
  
• 1/4 CUP CHOPPED DRIED APPLES
  

PLACE INGREDIENTS IN MEDIUM SALAD BOWL

DRESSING

• 1 CUP WI APPLE CIDER
  
• 2 T APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
  
• 2 T CLOVER HONEY
  
• 1 TSP CINNAMON
  
• 1 CUP CANNOLA OIL
  

WHISK DRESSING IN LARGE BOWL.  POUR OVER SALAD JUST PRIOR TO SERVING STORE IN REFRIGERATOR

SERVES 6

Apple Cranberry Salad - 3rd Place

Wisconsin State Fair 2015 - 3rd Place

Jan Schwart, Franklin

Chop with.skins left on the following:

• 2 Granny Smith Apples
  
• 2 Pink Lady Apples
  
• 2 Yellow Gold Apples
  

Place in white soda to prevent browning while preparing the apples.  Drain and add the following:

• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  
• 1/2 cup pepitas
  
• 1/2 cup diced celery
  
• 1/2 cup small marshmallows
  
• 1/2 cup coconut
  

Dressing

• 1/2 cup poppyseed dressing
  
• 1/2 cup sour cream
  
• 1 tsp honey
  

Blend well and add to apple mixture. Refrigerate in a covered bowl for 1-2 hours before serving.

Apple Salad - 4th Place

Wisconsin State Fair 2015 - 4th Place

Terry Magestro, Oak Creek

• 2 C. Wisconsin Paula Red Apples, unpeeled, cored, diced
  
• 1C. celery, diced
  
• 1C. each shredded red and green cabbage
  
• 1 C. shredded carrot
  
• 3/4 C. sour cream
  
• 2 T. apple cider vinegar
  
• Salt and sugar
  
• 1/2 C. chopped walnuts
  
• 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
  

Combine apples and vegetables. Combine sour cream and cider vinegar; salt and sugar to taste. Add to mixture along with walnuts. Toss to mix. Sprinkle bacon on top. Serves 3.

2014 Wisconsin State Fair Winning Recipes

APPLE PIE DIVISION

Crunchy Pecan Topped Apple Pie

Sheila Bethia - 1st Place

Filling:

• 7 apples, peeled and sliced thinly
  
• 1/2 c sugar
  
• 1 tsp cinnamon
  
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
  
• 2 dashes salt
  
• 2 Tbs flour
  
• Juice from 1/2 lemon
  

 Mix together in a bowl.

Topping:

• 1 c chopped pecans
  
• 1/2 c packed brown sugar
  
• 1 tsp cinnamon
  
• 1/2 c flour
  
• 3 dashes salt
  
• 3 Tbs. butter
  

 Mix all, except the 3 Tbs of butter together.

Pie Crust:

• 1 c flour
  
• 1/2 tsp salt
  
• 1 1/2 tsp sugar
  
• 6 Tbs Butter-Flavored Crisco
  
• About 3 Tbs cold water
  

Blend dry ingredients. Cut in Crisco until it looks like course corn meal. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Mix with fork until it comes together. Shape in patty. Cover with saran wrap. Chill 2 hours. Roll out between 2 floured saran wrap or wax paper sheets to 1/8" thick. Place carefully into pie pan.

To assemble, pour filling into prepared pie crust. Sprinkle topping over filling. Tap down slightly with fingers so it looks even. Then dot 3 remaining tablespoons of butter all over filling. Bake in a preheated 425º oven for about 12 minutes. Then turn down oven to 400º and continue baking until golden and bubbly for about 30-40 minutes.

Apple Currant-Almond Pie

Barbara Zagrodnik - 2nd Place

 1/2 c dried currants

• 2 Tbs apple brandy
  
• 1/2 c sliced almonds
  
• 7 c thinly sliced tart apple
  
• 1/2 c white sugar
  
• 1/4 c brown sugar
  
• 3 Tbs flour
  
• 1/2 tsp lemon zest
  
• 1 Tbs lemon juice
  
• 1/2 tsp Vietnamese cinnamon
  
• 1/8 tsp grated nutmeg
  
• Pinch of salt
  
• 2 Tbs unsalted butter, diced
  
• 1 Tbs milk
  
• 2 tsp white sugar
  

Pie Crust:

• 3 c all purpose flour
  
• 1/4 tsp salt
  
• 3/4 c chilled, unsalted butter, cubed
  
• 1/4 c vegetable shortening, chilled
  
• 2 egg yolks
  
• 8 Tbs cold water
  

Soak currants overnight in apple brandy.

In food processor, pulse flour and salt; pulse in butter and shortening until it's in crumbs. Pulse in egg yolks until mixed then add 8 tablespoons water, pulse until dough holds together.

Transfer to work surface and gently pat together in half and flatten each into disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour or longer.

On lightly floured surface, roll out each disc of dough into circle; line a 9" pie pan, trim edges.

In a large bowl, toss together apples, currants, almonds, white sugar, brown sugar, flour, lemon zest and juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Place in pie shell, dot with butter. Top with remaining dough. Cut vents in top and decorate top of pie with apple cookie cutter shapes. Brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake in bottom third of 425º oven for 15 minutes, reduce heat to 350º and bake for another 40-45 minutes. Cool on rack.

Serves 8.

Caramel Apple Pie

Terry Mayestro - Third Place

Crust:

• 1 1/4 c flour
  
• 1/8 tsp salt
  
• 1/2 c shortening
  
• 2 Tbs. cold water
  

In a medium bowl, mix flour and salt.

Cut in shortening with a pastry blender till fine crumbs appear. Sprinkle with water and toss till well blended. Press firmly into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, roll out to a 13" circle. Fit loosely into a 9" deep dish pie plate. Trim and flute edge.

Filling:

• 7 c peeled, cored, and sliced Wisconsin apples
  
• 1/2 c firmly packed light brown sugar
  
• 1 Tbs cornstarch
  
• 1 Tbs lemon juice
  
• 2 Tbs sugar
  
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  
• 1 tsp vanilla
  

Topping:

• 3/4 c flour
  
• 3/4 c pecan halves
  
• 1/2 c sugar
  
• 1/4 tsp salt
  
• 6 Tbs cold butter, cut into pieces
  

Caramel and Garnish:

• 3 Tbs cold butter, cut into pieces
  
• 1 Tbs water
  
• 30 caramels
  
• 1/2 c chopped pecans
  
• pecan halves
  

Preheat oven to 400º Combine apples, brown sugar, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Set aside. Mix sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Stir into fruit along with the cinnamon and vanilla. Pour fruit mix into pie shell. Put on center rack of oven and bake 30 minutes.

Make crumb topping. Combine the first flour ingredients in food processor, chopping nuts coarsely. Scatter butter over mix and pulse processor till mix resembles fine crumbs. Refrigerate till ready to use.

Remove pie from oven and reduce oven to 375º Sprinkle crumbs over pie, spreading evenly. Return to oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Cool for 1 hour. Combine butter, water, caramels in the top of a double boiler. Melt over hot, but not boiling water. When melted, whisk till smooth, then drizzle over pie. Place pecan halves nicely on pie and then sprinkle chopped pecans over pie.

Jazzed Up Candy Apple Pie

Beth Campbell - Fourth Place

Crust Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c graham cracker crumbs
  
• 3 Tbs powdered sugar
  
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  
• 1/3 c butter, melted
  
• 3/4 c caramel ice cream topping
  
• 1 c chopped pecans
  

Preheat oven to 375º. In a medium bowl, combine the crumbs, sugar, cinnamon and melted butter. Mix well and press into a 9-10" pie plate and up the sides. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes until golden brown in color. Pour the caramel into the shell and sprinkle with 1 cup of chopped pecans. refrigerate pie shell while making apple filling.

Apple filling:

• 5 Tart apples, peeled, cored, sliced
  
• 5 Tbs butter, melted
  
• 1/2 c brown sugar
  
• 1/4 tsb salt
  
• 1 tsp cinnamon
  

In a large pan combine the melted butter, apple slices, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. Cook over medium high heat for 15 to 20 minutes until the apples are softened and tender. Let cool for 10 minutes and pour into the pie shell. Reduce the oven to 350º.

Cream Cheese Topping:

• 8 oz cream cheese
  
• 1 tsp vanilla
  
• 1 egg
  
• 1 Tbs lemon juice
  
• 1/2 c sugar
  

In a medium bowl, using a hand-held mixer on low speed, combine the cream cheese and sugar for about a minute. Add the egg, lemon juice and vanilla and beat for 1 minutes or until fully blended. Pour over the apple filling in the pie shell. Bake for 30 minutes until an inserted knife comes out clean. Remove the pie from the oven and let cool. Refrigerate for 4 hours.

Topping:

• 3/4 c heavy cream, whipped
  
• 2 Tbs powdered sugar
  
• 1/2 c caramel ice cream topping
  
• 1/4 c pecans
  

Top with whipped cream, caramel and pecans and either drizzle on top or swirl with a knife. Slice and serve. Yield: 8 to 10 slices.

 

2013 Wisconsin State Fair Winning Recipes

APPLE DESSERTS

Wisconsin Apple Cream Cheese Praline Cake

Elaine Mason, Oconomowoc   1st Place

Cake:

• 3 cups Chopped apples (Gala)
  
• 3/4 cup Applesauce
  
• 1 cup Pecans, chopped
  
• 3 cups All-purpose flour
  
• 1 cup White sugar
  
• 1 cup Brown sugar
  
• 2 tsp Cinnamon 1 tsp Salt
  
• 1 tsp Baking soda 1 tsp Nutmeg
  
• 1/2 tsp Allspice 3 Eggs
  
• 3/4 cup Vegetable Oil 
  
• 1 tsp Almond extract
  

In a large mixing bowl, mix eggs, oil, applesauce, almond extract and sugars. Add dry ingredients. Add apples and nuts.

Cream Cheese Filling:

• 1 pkg Cream cheese, softened
  
• 1/4 cup Butter, softened
  
• 1/2 cup White sugar
  
• 1 Egg
  
• 2 Tbs Flour
  
• 1 tsp Almond extract
  

In a separate mixing bowl, blend together filling ingredients. Pour half the cake mixture into a prepared angel food pan. Spoon cream cheese filling over mixture. Top with remaining cake mixture.

Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool.

Praline Frosting:

• 1/2 cup Brown sugar
  
• 1/4 cup Butter, softened
  
• 6 Tbs Milk, divided
  
• 1 cup Powdered sugar
  
• 1/2 cup chopped Pecans plus half Pecans for decoration
  

Heat brown sugar, butter, and 3 Tbs of milk in a medium sauce pan. Bring to boil over medium heat for 1 minute, stirring often. Add to powdered sugar and 3 Tbs of milk. Drizzle over cake. Sprinkle chopped pecans over frosting and place half pecans on edge of cake.

Serves 12

My Best Apple Cheesecake

Jim Papala, Cudahy   2nd Place

• 1 cup Graham cracker crumbs
  
• 3 Tbs Sugar
  
• 2 Tbs Pecans, finely chopped
  
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
  
• 1/4 cup Butter, melted
  

Filling:

• 3 pkg (8 oz) Cream cheese, softened
  
• 3/4 cup Sugar
  
• 3 Eggs, slightly beaten
  
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
  

Topping:

• 2 1/2 cup Apples, chopped & peeled
  
• 1 Tbs Lemon juice
  
• 1/4 cup Sugar
  
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
  
• 6 Tbs Caramel ice cream topping, divided
  
• 2 Tbs Pecans, chopped
  

In a bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, sugar, pecans, and cinnamon; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom of a lightly greased 9 inch springform pan. Place pan on baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Place pan on wire rack.

In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in vanilla. Pour over crust. Toss apples with lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon; spoon over filling. Return pan to baking sheet.

Bake at 350° for 60-70 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge to loosen. Drizzle with 4 Tbs caramel topping. Cool one hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.

Remove sides of pan. Drizzle with remaining caramel topping; sprinkle with pecans. Keep refrigerated.

Awesome Apple Cobbler

Donna Westray, West Allis   3rd Place

• 5 large Apples, tart—peeled and cored
  
• 1/2 cup Dried cranberries
  
• 1/2 cup Sugar
  
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
  
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  
• 1 Tbs Cornstarch
  
• 1/2 cup Butter, melted
  
• 1/3 cup Pecans, chopped
  
• Powdered sugar

Topping:

• 1 cup All purpose Flour 1/2 cup Sugar
  
• 1/2 tsp Salt 1/2 cup Milk
  
• 1 Egg
  

Preheat over to 350°. In a bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, salt, egg, and milk for the topping; set aside. Cube 4 apples and slice the remaining apple. In a bowl, combine the cubed apples, cranberries, sugar, pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg and cornstarch. In an 8" x 8" pan, melt the butter. Pour apple mixture into pan and pour topping over all. Arrange the apple slices in the center like a flower. Bake 20-25 minutes. Cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Scotch Caramel Apple Crisp

Kim Skadahl, Milwaukee   4th Place

• 1/2 cup Old fashioned rolled oats
  
• 1/2 cup Honey Graham crackers, finely crushed
  
• 1/3 cup Brown sugar, packed
  
• 1/3 cup Flour
  
• 1/4 cup Planters salted peanuts, finely crushed
  
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
  
• 1/3 cup Butter, melted
  
• 2 large Apples, tart-peeled, cored, and sliced
  
• 1/3 cup Hershey's caramel syrup
  
• 2 Tbs Butterscotch Schnapps
  
• 1 Tbs Cornstarch
  
• 1/2 cup Butterscotch chips
  

Heat oven to 375°

Tip: Crush graham crackers and peanuts in separate plastic bags. Use a rolling pin.

Mix oats, graham crumbs, brown sugar, flour, peanuts, cinnamon and melted butter until well blended; set aside. In a bowl, mix together caramel syrup, schnapps and corn starch. Add apples, stir until coated. Lightly spray 8" x 8" baking pan with no-stick cooking spray. Pour mixture into pan and flatten out. Sprinkle butterscotch chips over the apple mixture. Sprinkle with oat topping. Bake 35-40 minutes until apples are tender. Cool slightly before serving.

4 servings