State Fair only comes around once a year, bringing with it prize-winning livestock, award-winning pies, rickety roller coasters, and a unique culinary experience—food-on-a-stick.
Here at Taste of Home, we decided to see which food-on-a-stick was indeed the best. A group of food editors embarked on a trip to the Wisconsin State Fair and found a clear and tasty winner.
Best Food-On-A-Stick: Cookie Dough
Chocolate chip cookie dough is dipped in chocolate then rolled in your
choice of nuts or sprinkles. One of our samplers put it best: "When is
cookie dough not good?"
Messiest Food-On-A-Stick: Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly
This classic sandwich is deep-fried, dusted with powdered sugar and served to the masses. However, with so much gooey goodness inside, this on-a-stick-treat ended up on a plate in just two bites.
Better than Ice Cream: Chocolate Covered Banana
This scrumptious treat really is better than ice cream. Frozen bananas are dipped in chocolate then rolled in sprinkles, nuts, M&Ms or other candy pieces.
Most Overrated Food-On-A-Stick: Cherry Pie & Chocolate Covered Bacon
What seemed like good ideas, these two creations didn't live up to their hype. The Chocolate Covered Bacon was chewy, covered in a too-bitter chocolate and sprinkled with too much salt. The Cherry Pie tasted more like a toaster strudel and was filled with canned pie filling rather than real cherries.
Classic Food-On-A-Stick: Corn Dog
Let's be honest. There is nothing better than the original. A sweet corn bread batter and a juicy hot dog come together in this delightful State Fair staple.
Make State Fair Recipes at Home
Chocolate-Covered Bacon
A hit at state fairs everywhere, make this salty-sweet Chocolate-Covered Bacon concoction at home. Some say bacon can't get any better, but we think chocolate makes everything better!
—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Java Cream Puffs
These fun and fancy Java Cream Puffs have chopped pecans in the puffs and mouthwatering mocha cream filling. Guests will be impressed.
—Iola Egle, Bella Vista, Arkansas
Carnival Caramel Apples
These Carnival Caramel Apples are a tried-and-true favorite year after year.
—Gail Prather, Bethel, Minnesota
Grilled Corn with Chive Butter
When our son was young, corn was the only vegetable he'd eat. My husband and I soon got bored with the simple salt and butter topping, so I stirred in some lemon juice and chives in this Grilled Corn with Chive Butter recipe.
—Sue Kirsch, Eden Pairie, Minnesota
Granola Banana Sticks
My daughter and I won an award at our local fair for these peanut butter Granola Banana Sticks.
—Diane Toomey, Allentown, Pennsylvania
County Fair Funnel Cakes
What would the fair be without these delicious deep-fried pastries? To make these timeless County Fair Funnel Cakes, slowly swirl batter into oil, brown it to perfection and lightly dust with confectioners' sugar.
—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
State Fair Cream Puffs
The Wisconsin Bakers Association has served these State Fair Cream Puffs at our state fair since 1924.
—Ruth Jungbluth, Dodgeville, Wisconsin
Elephant Ears
They'll remember these crispy home-baked Elephant Ears pastries long after they've licked the last bit of cinnamon-sugar off their fingers! Great with hot coffee, these make a super gift.
—Susan Taul, Birmingham, Alabama