Our Best-Loved Grand Prize Winning Recipes

Key Lime Pie Cupcakes

I bake over 200 of these cupcakes for our church suppers, and we always run out. If you can't find Key lime juice, use lime juice. Just add a tad more sugar. —Julie Herrera-Lemler, Rochester, Minnesota

Onion Beef au Jus

Garlic, onions, soy sauce and onion soup mix flavor the tender beef in savory hot sandwiches that are served with a tasty rich broth for dipping. The seasoned beef makes delicious cold sandwiches too. —Marilyn Brown, West Union, Iowa

Roasted Butternut Squash Panzanella

Squash was a hard sell with my family until I paired it with pumpkin seeds, cranberries and horseradish. Now they love it! —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut

South-of-the-Border Caprese Salad

Plump heirloom tomatoes highlight this garden-fresh showpiece, drizzled with a sweet-tart dressing and sprinkled with cheese. It's perfect for an outdoor party and so easy to make! —Kathleen Merkley, Layton, Utah

Cranberry-Orange Trifle

I make this showstopper for many occasions, slightly changing—or adding—ingredients. I sometimes add toasted coconut between the layers. —Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario

Pineapple-Stuffed Cornish Hens

My mother brought this recipe back with her from Hawaii about 25 years ago. The tender meat, pineapple-coconut stuffing and sweet-sour sauce made it a favorite of my family and friends. I keep copies of the recipe on hand to share. —Vicki Corners, Rock Island, Illinois

Cranberry Cookies with Browned Butter Glaze

I won a baking contest with these chunky glazed cookies that are so easy, even novice bakers can pull them off. What makes them special? Fresh cranberries. —Laurie Cornett, Charlevoix, Michigan

Spicy Bean and Beef Pie

My daughter helped me come up with this recipe when we wanted a one-dish meal that was different than a casserole. This pie slices nicely and is a fun and filling dish. —Debra Dohy, Massillon, Ohio

Almond Chicken Salad

My mother used to prepare this chicken salad with grapes and almonds for an evening meal during the hot summer months. It's my favorite of my mother's chicken salad recipes. You can also serve it as a delicious but quick luncheon or potluck dish. —Kathy Kittell, Lenexa, Kansas

Creamy Strawberry Crepes

Wrap summer-ripe strawberries and creamy filling into these delicate crepes for an elegant brunch entree. —Kathy Kochiss, Huntington, Connecticut

Cilantro & Lemon Marinated Chicken Kabobs

Cook the onions first so there’s plenty of room on the grill for the chicken skewers. Before serving, give the whole platter a spritz of lemon for a sunshiny delight. —Moumita Ghosh, Kolkata, West Bengal

Butternut Squash Chili

Add butternut squash to chili for a tasty, filling, energy-packed dish your whole family will love. Mine does! —Jeanne Larson, Mission Viejo, California

Tomato Galette

I found beautiful heirloom tomatoes and had to show them off. In this easy galette, the tomatoes are tangy and the crust is beyond buttery. —Jessica Chang, Playa Vista, California

Creamy Lime Pie with Fresh Berries

I combined the tangy tastes of lime and cilantro with cream cheese for this unusual berry pie that showcases seasonal fruit. The ginger cookies add zip to the crust. —Anneliese Barz, Fort Mill, South Carolina

Southern Brunch Pastry Puff

My family just about jumps out of bed when the smell of eggs, sausage and buttery pastry hits their noses. This recipe is morning magic. —Misty M. Leddick, Chester, South Carolina

Twisted Eggs Benedict Salad

Salad for breakfast? Absolutely. You can prep everything except the dressing and chill it overnight. In the morning, dress the salad and poach the eggs. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Surprise Sausage Bundles

Kielbasa and sauerkraut star in a tasty filling for these scrumptious stuffed rolls, which make a great dinner with soup or salad. My family also loves leftover bundles right out of the refrigerator for a quick lunch. —Barb Ruis, Grandville, Michigan

Cherry Chip Scones

These buttery scones dotted with dried cherries and vanilla chips are so sweet and flaky that I sometimes serve them for dessert. —Pam Brooks, South Berwick, Maine

Teriyaki Shish Kabobs

When I was a teenager, my father worked for an airline, and my family lived on the island of Guam in the South Pacific. A friend of my mother gave her this tangy-sweet recipe, and we enjoyed it often. Now I make it for my family, and they're big fans as well. —Suzanne Pelegrin, Ocala, Florida

Marvelous Mediterranean Vegetables

With so many barbecues in the summer, I created this simple, tasty dish to complement any entree. I like to prepare it earlier in the day and let it marinate, then I just throw it on the grill.—Cathy Godberson, Oakville, Ontario

Best Lasagna

What makes this classic lasagna recipe so spectacular? Homemade meat sauce and plenty of cheese. Best of all, it's easy to make lasagna ahead of time so dinner can be ready in a flash.

Five-Spice Chicken Wings

Bird is the word when it comes to these wings. They’re baked to a perfect golden brown and hum with mild, delicious Asian spices. Thanks to an overnight marinade, the chicken inside stays tender while the skin maintains that signature crunch. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

Raspberry Coffee Cake

One of my mother's friends used to bring this over at the holidays, and it never lasted long. With tangy raspberry filling, tender cake and crunchy topping, it has become a favorite at our house. —Amy Mitchell, Sabetha, Kansas

Croissant French Toast

More like a scrumptious dessert than a main dish, this rich French toast is topped with a tangy raspberry sauce and a vanilla sauce that includes ice cream. I cut the croissants into shapes with a cookie cutter for my 4-year-old grandson, Patrick. He even asks for the "ice cream sauce" on pancakes! —June Dickenson Philippi, West Virginia

Lime & Gin Coconut Macaroons

I took these lime and coconut macaroons to our annual cookie exchange, where we name a queen. I won the crown! —Milissa Kirkpatrick, Angel Fire, New Mexico

Chunky Apple Cake

After taste testing lots of apple cakes, I’ve found this apple cake recipe the best. Full of old-world comfort, the yummy brown sugar sauce really makes the cake special. For a festive occasion, top with a dollop of whipped cream. —Debi Benson, Bakersfield, California.

Zucchini Cupcakes

I asked my grandmother for this recipe after trying these irresistible spice cupcakes at her home. I love their creamy caramel frosting. They're such a scrumptious dessert, you actually forget you're eating your vegetables, too! —Virginia Lapierre, Greensboro Bend, Vermont

Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder

I like to make this smooth, creamy soup when company comes to visit. Its zippy flavor is full of southwestern flair. My family enjoys dipping slices of homemade bread in this chowder to soak up every bite! —Susan Garoutte, Georgetown, Texas

Cappuccino Muffins

These are my favorite muffins to serve with a cup of coffee or a tall glass of cold milk. Not only are they great for breakfast, they make a tasty dessert or midnight snack. I get lots of recipe requests whenever I serve them. The espresso spread is also super on a bagel. —Janice Schulz, Racine, Wisconsin

Slow Cooker Tamale Pie

Canned beans and cornbread muffin mix speed up the prep on this crowd-pleasing main dish that’s perfect for busy evenings and carry-in dinners. —Jill Pokrivka, York, Pennsylvania

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake

If you love to nibble the cookie dough while you’re baking, this cookie dough cheesecake is for you. It’s studded with (eggless) cookie dough in every slice!

Blond Brownies a la Mode

Ever since I tried the maple blondie at Applebee's, I've been determined to figure out the recipe. I tried several variations until I came up with this one, and it's become one of our family favorites. —Pat Parker, Chester, South Carolina

Spinach-Topped Tomatoes

This colorful side dish is classic for a reason! It provides a perfect taste of summer when garden-fresh tomatoes are in season, but we enjoy it year-round. My daughter especially loves this dish. —Ila Mae Alderman, Galax, Virginia

Chocolate Truffle Cake

Love chocolate? Then this tender, luxurious layer cake is for you. With a ganache glaze and a fabulous bittersweet filling, the indulgence is so worth it. —JoAnn Koerkenmeier, Damiansville, Illinois

Can't-Eat-Just-One Cinnamon Rolls

My cinnamon rolls have been known to vanish quickly. Once I dropped off a dozen rolls for my brothers, and they emptied the pan in 10 minutes. —Regina Farmwald, West Farmington, Ohio

Orange Walnut Chicken

For an impressive main dish that's not tricky to prepare, try this mouthwatering chicken. With orange juice concentrate, orange juice, lemon juice and marmalade, the pretty sauce has a zesty taste. —TerryAnn Moore, Vineland, New Jersey

Apple Banana Bread

As if the tender apple banana bread loaf wasn’t delicious enough, we top it with a sticky, salted, coconut-caramel glaze. Every bite is pure perfection!

Mocha Truffles

Nothing compares to the melt-in-your-mouth flavor of these truffles...or to the simplicity of the recipe. Whenever I make them for my family or friends, they're quickly devoured. No one has to know how easy they are to prepare! —Stacy Abell, Olathe, Kansas

Banana Bread Pudding

Warm and indulgent, this banana bread pudding makes a wonderful main dish for a weekend brunch or a family breakfast.

Pleasing Potato Pizza

I first heard of this distinctive pizza after a friend tried it at a restaurant. It inspired me to come up with my own recipe. The way the slices disappear, there’s no doubt about this pizza’s potatoey goodness. —Barbara Zimmer, Wanless, Manitoba

Garden Veggie Lasagna

Stroll the farmers market and you'll find veggies and cheeses you might not know what to do with. Why not pull them together in one harmonious bunch and make this go-to lasagna when you crave a twist on an Italian favorite? —Samantha Neal, Morgantown, West Virginia

Eggnog Cream with Spiced Pecan Raisin Dunkers

I have a thing for eggnog and other creamy desserts like s’mores, pudding, mousses and dips. So I turned them into one yummy dip with homemade dunkers. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Pumpkin Scones with Berry Butter

These delightful scones are perfect on a cold winter day with a steaming hot cup of coffee. They also make a wonderful hostess gift arranged in a basket. —Judy Wilson, Sun City West, Arizona

Stuffing Dumpling Soup

I've always loved turkey, dumplings and stuffing, so I combined them and added a punch of Creole flavor. My family loves it, even my little ones. It's got some kick, but a dollop of sour cream can mellow that out. —Relina Shirley, Reno, Nevada

Cookie Dough Truffles

The flavorful filling at the center of these yummy candies tastes like genuine chocolate chip cookie dough…with no worry about raw eggs. That's what makes them so appealing. And they're easy to make. —Lanita Dedon, Slaughter, Louisiana

Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Overnight blueberry French toast casserole gives you a company-worthy breakfast without the morning scramble to get it on the table.

Fresh Corn and Tomato Fettuccine

This recipe combines delicious whole wheat pasta with fresh garden produce. It's tossed with heart-healthy olive oil, and a sprinkling of feta cheese gives it bite. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida

Toffee-Mocha Cream Torte

When you really want to impress someone, this scrumptious torte is just the thing to make! Instant coffee granules give the moist chocolate cake a mild mocha flavor, while the fluffy whipped cream layers, blended with brown sugar and crunchy toffee bits, are deliciously rich. —Lynn Rogers, Richfield, North Carolina

Chocolate Velvet Dessert

This creamy concoction is the result of several attempts to duplicate a dessert I enjoyed on vacation. It looks so beautiful on a buffet table that many folks are tempted to forgo the main course in favor of this chocolaty treat. —Molly Seidel, Edgewood, New Mexico

Down East Blueberry Buckle

This buckle won a contest at my daughter’s college. The prize was four lobsters, but the real reward was the smile on our daughter’s face. —Dianne van der Veen, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Lemon Chiffon Cake

Lemon chiffon cake is soft and spongy, with a fresh lemon flavor in the cake and the luscious buttercream frosting. Plan to eat this cake quickly, as chiffon cakes don't last very long. But that shouldn't be a problem, given how delicious this cake is.

Rustic Nut Bars

My friends love crunching into the crust—so much like shortbread—and the wildly nutty topping of these chewy, gooey bars. —Barbara Driscoll, West Allis, Wisconsin

Taco Meat Loaf

Picante sauce, corn, olives, kidney beans and cheese kick up your everyday meat loaf, transforming it into our flavor-packed taco meat loaf.

Colorful Corn Salad

Elevate your meals with this versatile corn salad recipe, perfect for any occasion. Whether chilled, grilled or used as a topping for burgers, this corn salad adds a burst of flavor to your table. Ideal for potlucks, BBQs and more, it's quick and easy to make, featuring savory spices that bring a touch of Southwestern flair to any dish.

No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake

This no-bake peanut butter cheesecake features rich layers of peanut butter and chocolate in an Oreo cookie crust. It is rich and decadent, making it a real winner for potlucks and special events.

Pizza-Style Manicotti

Ham, pepperoni, string cheese and manicotti shells make a tasty hands-on recipe that even small children can help prepare. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana

"Secret's in the Sauce" BBQ Ribs

A sweet, rich sauce makes this BBQ ribs recipe so tender that the meat literally falls off the bones. And the aroma is wonderful. Yum! —Tanya Reid, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Rhubarb Swirl Cheesecake

I love cheesecake and my husband loves chocolate, so this is a favorite dessert of ours. The rhubarb adds a tartness that complements the sweet flavors so well.—Carol Witczak, Tinley Park, Illinois

Five-Cheese Macaroni with Prosciutto Bits

Macaroni is baked with smoked Gouda, Swiss, white cheddar, goat cheese and Parmesan and topped with crispy prosciutto—so worth it! —Mya Zeronis, Washington, DC

Special Mocha Cupcakes

Topped with a fluffy frosting and chocolate sprinkles, these extra-rich, extra-delicious cupcakes smell wonderful while baking and taste even better! —Mary Bilyeu, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Berry Cheesecake Muffins

I adapted this recipe over the years for my family, and they think it’s wonderful. Not only are the muffins delicious, but they’re bursting with fantastic color, too. — Jeanne Bilhimer, Midland, Michigan

Brie Cherry Pastry Cups

Golden brown and flaky, these bite-sized puff pastries with creamy Brie and sweet cherry preserves could easily double as a scrumptious dessert. —Marilyn McSween, Mentor, Ohio

Chicken Florentine Meatballs

Served over squash and a chunky, mushroom-tomato sauce, these tender meatballs are tops when it comes to great flavor. —Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan

Chocolate Malted Cookies

These cookies are the next best thing to a good old-fashioned malted milk. With malted milk powder, chocolate syrup, and chocolate chips and chunks, these are the best cookies I've ever tasted … and with six kids, I've made a lot of cookies over the years! —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

Jim's Secret Family Recipe Ribs

For more than 30 years, my brother-in-law Jim kept his famous rib recipe a secret. When he finally shared it, we just had to pass it along because we loved it so much. This one's for you, Jim! —Vicki Young, Brighton, Colorado

Almond Bear Claws

This bear claw pastry recipe is absolutely melt-in-your-mouth delicious! It's impossible to resist the delicate dough, rich almond filling and pretty fanned tops sprinkled with sugar and almonds. I made yummy treats like this when I worked in a bakery years ago. —Aneta Kish, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Terrific Turkey Enchiladas

Enchiladas are a favorite dish in our home. Our little girl, who calls them laladas, especially loves them. This is a really tasty take on the classic southwestern dish. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

Bubbly & Golden Mexican Beef Cobbler

Add whatever you like to this Mexican beef cobbler to make it yours—black beans, sour cream, even guacamole! —Mary Brooks, Clay, Michigan

Chicken Potpie Soup

Rich and creamy chicken potpie soup is a fun variation of the old-fashioned favorite, plus it cooks up in about half the time as the baked version.

Coconut-Pecan German Chocolate Pie

This German chocolate pecan pie combines the ingredients everyone loves in its classic cake cousin. It's so silky and smooth, you won't be able to put your fork down. —Anna Jones, Coppell, Texas

Tacoritos

This mild and meaty southwestern dish combines the delicious flavor of tacos with the heartiness of burritos. Your family is going to love 'em! —Monica Flatford, Knoxville, Tennessee

Chocolate Pretzel Cookies

These pretzel-shaped buttery chocolate cookies are covered in a rich mocha glaze and drizzled with white chocolate. My family goes wild over their chocolaty crunch. They're beautiful to serve and to give as gifts. —Priscilla Anderson, Salt Lake City, Utah

Slow-Cooker Tropical Pork Chops

Pork and fruit go so nicely together and when you add fresh herbs, you get this fresh, light and bright main dish that everyone loves. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

Pickled Pepperoncini Deviled Eggs

It's hard to resist these adorable deviled trees on our buffet table. The avocado filling has pepperoncini and cilantro for extra zip. —Carmell Childs, Clawson, Utah

Golden Beet Curry Risotto with Crispy Beet Greens

I was delighted to find golden beets at the farmers market and knew they'd be perfect in a risotto recipe I was working on. And please, don't forget the baked crispy beet greens...amazing! Move over, main dish! This vibrant side will steal the show. —Merry Graham, Newhall, California