Raleigh Woman, Knightdale Boy Win N.C. State Fair Bacontastic Fair Food Challenge

RALEIGH – Gail Fuller of Raleigh took first place honors and $500 in the adult category of the N.C. State Fair Bacontastic Fair Food Challenge presented by the N.C. Pork Council.

Christian Davis of Knightdale won first place and $500 in the youth category for his Pizza Bacon Bagel, besting his mom Yvonne Payton Davis who took home third-place honors and $200 in the adult category for her Bacon Stuffed French Toast Sticks.

Second place in the adult category and $300 went to Margaret Hubacher of Chapel Hill for The King’s Waffle Delight recipe. Noriah Hoffman of Garner earned second-place honors and $300 for her Bacon Buns recipe in the youth competition. Third place and $200 went to Cathryn Haynes for a Bacon Stuffed Pumpkins recipe in the youth category.   

The winning recipes follow: 

BACON PECAN PIE BARS –  Bacontastic Fair Food Challenge Adult Category Winner

Makes 9 servings

For the crust

1 1/4 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

Pinch of salt

6 tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons lemon juice

 For filling

8 slices bacon – diced into small chunks

3 large eggs

1 cup light corn syrup

1/3 cup sugar

5 tablespoons butter – melted

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1 cup pecans – chopped

Directions: Crust

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles a coarse meal

Add the lemon juice and pulse until the dough just comes together.

Press the dough into a greased 8-inch square baking pan.

Bake until lightly golden brown – about 15 minutes.

Directions: Filling

Fry bacon until crisp and drain on paper towels.

Whisk the eggs, corn syrup, sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and vinegar in a medium bowl until combined.

Scatter the chopped pecans and crumbled bacon over the prepared crust and pour in the filling mixture.

Bake until the filling is set and the pecans are golden brown – about 30-35 minutes.

Cool completely and cut into squares. May be stored in a covered container at room temperature.

 Pizza Bacon Bagels –  Bacontastic Fair Food Challenge Youth Category Winner

Ingredients

16-ounce package of bacon

5 miniature bagels

14-ounce of pizza sauce

1 cup of mozzarella cheese

1 cup of cheddar cheese

1 cup of shredded lettuce

2 Roma tomatoes, diced

¼ teaspoon of salt

¼ teaspoon of pepper

 Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Take separate slices of bacon and place them on a baking pan. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until crispy. Crumble then set aside

 Open bagels and lay them out on a separate baking sheet.

 Put 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce on each bagel. Divide mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly and sprinkle on the 10 bagel pieces.

Top with cooked crumbled bacon. Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for 6-8 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

While the pizza is baking, combine diced tomatoes, salt, and pepper in a bowl until fully combined.

Remove pizza from the oven when done, and top with shredded lettuce and tomatoes.