Pecan-Crusted Mojito Bars and Apple Smile Snack

The first two rounds of judging of the State Fair's culinary competition are over. More contests will be judged Friday and Sunday. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days the public can watch the judging in the fair's Horticulture Building. Friday's lineup includes contests using Wisconsin produce; national contests will be judged on Sunday. Check the fair's website for when various categories will be judged.

In the coming weeks we'll run a selection of first-place winning recipes.

This refreshing summer bar recipe won Gerry Cofta of Milwaukee the Key lime bar category in the Cookies and Bars division.

Pecan-Crusted Mojito Bars
Makes 36

Crust (see recipe)

4 eggs, slightly beaten

1 ? cups granulated sugar

2 tablespoons finely shredded Key lime peel

? cup Key lime juice

? cup flour

? teaspoon baking powder

? teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon snipped fresh mint

? cup rum (optional)

Powdered sugar for dusting

?

Prepare crust.

While crust bakes, prepare filling. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, Key lime peel and juice, flour, baking powder, salt, milk, mint and, if desired, rum, until combined. Pour over hot crust.

Return to oven and bake 20 to 25 minutes until filling is just set and edges begin to brown. Cool completely in pan on rack.

Using edges of foil, lift uncut bar out of pan. Cut into bars and sift powdered sugar over the top. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Crust:

1 ? cups flour

1 cup chopped pecans

? cup sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, cut into slices

?

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with foil, extending the foil over the edges of the pan.

In a food processor, combine flour, pecans and sugar. Add butter slices and mix until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press crumb mixture evenly into bottom of prepared pan and bake in preheated oven 20 to 22 minutes or until crust is light brown. (It's OK if crust is puffed.) Leave oven on.

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The Kids' Culinary Challege invites young cooks age 18 or younger to enter. Kyle Pelzek of Hales Corners won the Apple-Inspired Snack contest under the Super Hero Snacks category for this cute concoction.

Apple Smile Snack
Makes 8 smiles

1 red apple

8 teaspoons creamy peanut butter

40 miniature marshmallows

?

Cut apple into quarters; remove core. Cut each quarter into 4 slices. Spread ? teaspoon peanut butter one side of each slice.

Place 5 marshmallows over peanut butter on 8 apple slices.

Top each with remaining apple slice, peanut butter side down, to make a smiling mouth.

Source: http://www.jsonline.com/features/food/pecan-crusted-mojito-bars-and-apple-smile-snack-b9960210z1-217644811.html

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