(Frankenmuth, Mich.) – “Apple Lasagna” and “Sweet Apple Noodle Kugel” were some of the more untraditional recipes showcasing Michigan Apples. But in the end, it was French toast filled with apples and cream cheese and covered with apple liqueur sauce that captured the judges’ attention in the first-time Favorite Michigan Apple Recipe Contest.
Winners in the competition, held at Zehnder’s restaurant on Jan. 26, are:
· 1st Place – Marta Dmytrenko of Novi with “Baked Apple-Stuffed French Toast”
· 2nd Place – Kim Landhuis of DeWitt with “South Pacific Fresh Apple & Sirloin Salad”
· 3rd Place – Betty Timmreck of Eau Claire with “Caramel Apple Pecan Cheesecake”
Complete recipes are available at MichiganApples.com/recipes. (“Baked Apple-Stuffed French Toast” and “South Pacific Fresh Apple & Sirloin Salad” are under the Main Dishes category. “Caramel Apple Pecan Cheesecake” is listed under Desserts.)
Twenty amateur bakers were pre-selected to compete in the contest. Entries were judged on taste, texture, creativity and appearance.
The winners each received $250, $150 and $100 respectively, along with several other prizes. Sponsors of the contest are Michigan Apple Committee, Pioneer Sugar, Zehnder’s, WSGW radio station and Bavarian Maytag.
The contest helped to kick-off Zehnder’s Snowfest, a national ice-carving competition in downtown Frankenmuth.
Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to promotion, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan Apple and encourage its consumption in Michigan and around the world. For more information, visit MichiganApples.com.
Source: Michigan Apple Committee