Baking

2026 Entry Instructions

ONLINE ENTRY IS REQUIRED. To be an Exhibitor, click on the Online Entry link and follow the instructions. If you have questions, or are unable to complete the online form, please contact the department superintendent.

Entry deadlines are listed on the Entry Deadlines and Delivery Schedule page.

Rules

All entries (classes #1 –14) will ONLY be received on Tues. the week of the Fair, between 2 PM and 8 PM. Entries must be registered by the deadline date; no registrations will be accepted on the Tuesday that entries are received
Judging for all classes except #7 & (1) live judging category will occur on Wed. the week of the Fair. Class #7 will be judged Thursday morning prior to the opening of the fair. Live judging will take place on Thursday, the first day of the fair, at 6 PM in the Baking Department. Class that will be live judged will be determined in September.
Prizes will be awarded in the classes listed below only if the judges feel the entry has merit. Judges will award a Best of Show ribbon in each class.
All entries must be the sole product of the exhibitor. Any entry found to be made with a box mix of any kind will be disqualified.
Baked goods should be exhibited on paper plates or disposable foil baking dishes, whenever possible, unless instructed otherwise under the class specific rules below. The Fair will not be responsible for any glass dishes or baking pans. Failure to use disposable bakeware may result in a score deduction.
Exhibits must be removed from 6–7:30 PM, Sun., and from 5–7 PM Mon. following the Fair. The Durham Fair Association is not responsible for exhibits left after 7 PM Mon. Unclaimed checks will be mailed to Exhibitors, however, unclaimed ribbons will be forfeit and no longer be mailed out.
LIMIT 1 ENTRY PER LOT PER PERSON.
Recipes are required for lots #1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 13 &14. Recipes must be submitted with your name on the back of the paper. A total of 10 points will be deducted off the total score for missing recipes.
A total of 5 points will be deducted off the total score for not following directions as outlined under the specific rules below.
View specific rules below.

Judging Criteria

Criteria A: Judging for Lot #6 & #10
- Appearance and Creativity: 40 points
- Taste: 40 points
  Good flavor and good aroma.
- Texture: 20 points
  Must be firm and set, not raw or overcooked.
Criteria B: Judging for Lots #2, #3, #4, #7, #9, #12, #13, & #14
- Texture: 20 points
  Must be firm and set, not raw or overcooked.
- Appearance: 40 points
  Outward shape is even and uniform, with no cracks or holes.
- Taste: 40 points
  Good flavor and good aroma.
Criteria C: Judging for Lots #1, #8, & #11
- Overall appearance: 40 points
- Crust: 10 points
- Texture: 10 points
- Flavor: 40 points
Criteria D: Judging for Lot #5
- Overall appearance: 25 points
- Following Directions: 10 points
- Texture: 15 points
- Aroma: 10 Points
- Flavor: 40 points

01 Cheese Pizza

Personal Size pizza, 8 -10"
No additional toppings
Crust and Sauce must be made by Exhibitor
Submit on foil wrapped cardboard
No refrigeration provided.
Recipe for both crust and sauce must be submitted with entry.

02 Sourdough

Any type of sourdough baked item on a disposable plate.
If submitting cookies, submit 6 on a paper plate.
If submitting bread, submit on a foil wrapped piece of cardboard, one inch from the edge.
No refrigeration provided.
Recipe must be submitted with entry.

03 Molasses Cookies

Submit 6 cookies on a disposable plate.
No refrigeration provided.
Recipe must be submitted with entry

04 Brown Butter Bars

Submit six bars on a disposable plate.
Include two corners, two edges and two middles.
No refrigeration provided.
Recipe must be submitted with entry.

05 State Baking Contest: Lemon Bliss Cake

See the instructions at ctagfairs.org.
In addition to Durham Fair ribbons, the winner will receive a blue ribbon from the Association of Connecticut Fairs and will be eligible to submit their entry at the State contest in November.
Contestants may enter the contest at as many fairs as they wish until they win first prize. They will then represent that fair at the State baking contest.
Submit on foil-wrapped cardboard no larger than one inch from edge.
No refrigeration provided.

06 Mystery Basket

Use the following ingredients to make the baked good of your choice: Honey, Dried Fruit, and Garlic.
If submitting cookies: six on a paper plate.
If submitting bars or brownies : six on a paper plate including two corners, two edges and two middles.
If submitting a cake: no larger than nine inches round submitted on foil wrapped cardboard base no larger than one inch from edge.
No refrigeration provided.
Recipe must be submitted with entry.

07 Chocolate Cheesecake: Marigold Stakes, Installment Two of the Triple Crown of Baking

To win the Triple Crown of Baking grand prize, a single exhibitor/baker must win first place in all three installments of the Triple Crown of Baking in the same year:
- Installment One: Guilford Fair, September 18–20, 2026, Cheese and Herb Biscuits
- Installment Two: Durham Fair, September 24–27, 2026, Chocolate Cheesecake
- Installment Three: Portland Fair, October 2–4, 2026, Pear Galette
Participation in Guilford Fair and Portland Fair is strongly encouraged but not required to win the Durham Fair Marigold Stakes for Chocolate Cheesecake.
Submit Chocolate Cheesecake on foil wrapped cardboard base one inch from edge.
Exhibitor/Baker must submit their own recipe for the baked item chosen by each Fair. Recipe must be included with entry.
Judging will be a panel of three judges, one representative from each Fair.
Additional premiums from each Fair's installment for the overall first, second and third place finishers: First $50.00 plus Rosette, Second $25.00, Third $15.00
Grand prize and sponsorships include up to $1,000 in prizes and gift cards plus a Grand Champion Rosette. Prizes include Kitchen-aid stand mixer, Williams Sonoma Gift Card, Penzey's Spices Gift Card and Stonewall Kitchen Gift Card.
Refrigeration provided.

08 American Flag Pie

Sponsored by King Arthur Baking Company.
Exhibitor must bring the opened bag of King Arthur Flour or submit a UPC label from the flour bag when he/she submits the entry.
Contestant must follow the recipe found at https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/american-flag-pie-recipe.
Must be submitted in a disposable pie pan.
Failure to follow the rules may result in disqualification.
No refrigeration will be provided.
Additional prizes from King Arthur Baking Company include:
- 1st: $75 gift card to the Baker’s Catalogue (kingarthurbaking.com).
- 2nd: $50 gift card to the Baker’s Catalogue (kingarthurbaking.com).
- 3rd: $25 gift card to the Baker’s Catalogue (kingarthurbaking.com).

09 Durham Heritage Recipe: Orange Drop Cookies

2⁄3 cup shortening
3⁄4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1⁄2 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
2 cups all-purpose flour
1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir 1/2 cup orange juice and 1 teaspoon rind into the flour mixture.
Cream shortening and white sugar together. Mix egg into the sugar mixture thoroughly. Slowly blend flour mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Drop by teaspoonful onto greased cookie sheet. Should yield approx. 3 dozen cookies
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
Make the icing: Mix confectioner's sugar and 2 tablespoons butter together until smooth. Pour 2 tablespoons orange juice and 1 teaspoon orange rind into the sugar and butter mixture, mix well. When the cookies have cooled spread the icing generously over the tops of the cookies.
Submit six cookies on a paper plate.
No refrigeration provided.

10 Decorated Cakes: Fiber Animals

Submit a cake decorated or in the shape of one of the following: Llama, Sheep, Rabbit, Alpaca, Goat, Yak, Camel, Muskox, and Silkworm
Submit on foil wrapped cardboard one inch from edge.
Cake including cardboard not to exceed 18" long and 14" wide
Use shelf stable frosting only.
Cake not to exceed 12" inches in height
No refrigeration provided.
Recipe must be submitted with entry.

11 State Two-Crusted Apple Pie

See the instructions at ctagfairs.org.
Recipe must be submitted with your entry. Include your name and address.
In addition to Durham Fair ribbons, the winner will receive a blue ribbon from the Association of Connecticut Fairs and will be eligible to submit their entry at the State contest in November.
Contestants may enter the contest at as many fairs as they wish until they win first prize. They will then represent that Fair at the State baking contest.
Refrigeration will be provided.
Recipe must be submitted with entry.

12 Grandma's Favorite

Bake and submit Grandma's favorite recipe.
If submitting cookies: six on a paper plate.
if submitting bars or brownies: six on a paper plate to include two corners, two edges and two middles.
If submitting a cake: no larger than nine inches submitted on foil wrapped cardboard one inch from edge.
No refrigeration provided.
Recipe must be submitted with entry.

13 Just for Guys

Men aged 18 and older are invited to bake and submit their favorite recipe.
If submitting cookies: six on a paper plate.
If submitting bars or brownies: six on a paper plate to include two corners, two edges and two middles.
If submitting a cake no larger than nine inches round submitted on foil wrapped cardboard one inch from edge.
No refrigeration will be provided.
Recipe must be submitted with entry.

14 Gluten Free

Submit your favorite gluten free baked item.
If submitting cookies: 6 on a paper plate.
If submitting bars or brownies: 6 on a paper plate to include two corners, two edges and two middles.
If submitting a cake: no larger than 9” round submitted on foil-wrapped cardboard base no larger than 1" from edge.
No refrigeration provided.
Recipe must be submitted with entry.

Entry Categories

Baking

Baking lots, categories, and prize amounts
Lot	Description	1st	2nd	3rd
1	Cheese Pizza - Personal Size: 8-10" Submit on foil wrapped cardboard. No refrigeration provided. Include recipe with entry.	$16	$15	$14
2	Sourdough	$12	$11	$10
3	Molasses Cookies	$10	$9	$8
4	Brown Butter Bars	$10	$9	$8
5	State Baking Contest - Lemon Bliss Cake	$14	$13	$12
6	Mystery Basket - Honey, Dried Fruit, Garlic	$16	$15	$14
7	Triple Crown of Baking - Chocolate Cheesecake	$14	$13	$12
8	King Arthur - American Flag Pie	$14	$13	$12
9	Durham Heritage Recipe: Orange Drop Cookies	$12	$11	$10
10	Decorated Cake: Fiber Animals	$16	$15	$14
11	State Two-Crusted Apple Pie	$12	$11	$10
12	Grandma's Favorite	$10	$9	$8
13	Just for Guys	$10	$9	$8
14	Gluten Free	$10	$9	$8

Enter Today

Questions? Contact the Baking Committee

Carnival game booth with stuffed prizes and a Ferris wheel

Three women selling donuts at a food stand