Local bakers are rolling out their best recipes to enter the Niagara County Fair’s baking events on Aug. 5. Whether for 4-H classes, the homemade brownie, pie, and cookie competitions, or the annual pie auction, bakers will find out what they’re made of at the county fair, which runs Wednesday, Aug. 5 through Aug. 9.
Lindsay Clapsaddle of Royalton said her 9-year-old daughter Abigail was excited to be old enough to bake for the pie auction that is part of Wednesday morning’s Farm City Breakfast.
On Wednesday, Abigail did a baking test with her pear pie recipe using seven to eight Anjou pears that “are the best for baking,” cinnamon and nutmeg.
“I really like pears and a few people I know like pears,” she said.
Abigail said those pear fans are planning to attend the pie auction.
Lindsay said the pie auction requires bakers to make a scratch crust, which can be frozen in advance. Kids who bake for the pie auction get 80% of the price paid, with 20% going to 4-H programs, she said. Abigail said she will save the money she makes to buy a horse.
Abigail showed impressive knife skills as she cored and sectioned her pears at the cutting board.
“Abigail loves to bake and this is an outlet where she is supported,” Lindsay said. “Watching her with confidence in the kitchen is great. This girl will go after every cookbook in the library.”
As a 4-Her, Abigail keeps goats and rabbits, participates in archery, and submits craft projects to the fair. She said she will also bake her peanut butter and jelly thumbprint cookies for judging, using raspberry-plum jelly they made earlier this summer.
The fair’s homemade pie competition has categories for cream and savory pies, and for different types of fruit. It also features a specialty and Grown in Western New York category. Amateur bakers of any age can enter, with a requirement to drop off pies on Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
According to the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County, competition judging will be based on pre-slice/first impression; after slice; first taste; flavor/closer look; mouthfeel; crust; overall impression; and creativity.
For entry forms, go to https://niagaracountyfair.com/ .