Here are the 2021 winners in the Minnesota State Fair's baking competitions

If you've ever walked into the Creative Activities Building at the State Fair, you've seen the impressive handiwork of Minnesota cooks. Here are the top winners from the food categories; find the complete list at mnstatefair.org/competitions.

YEAST BREAD, PLAIN DOUGH

Bread, white, no seeds: Dale Kingsbury, Eagan

Bread, Herb: Kristen Norman, Minneapolis

Bread, whole wheat or graham: Heather Zarrett, Champlin

Bread, raisin or dried cranberry: Carol Marsh, Duluth

Bread, whole grains: John Perhay, Savage

Bread, potato: James Lind, Minnetonka

Bread, artisan, sourdough or other non-ethnic: Anne Miller, Woodbury

Dinner rolls, whole grain: Emily Misgen, Faribault

Dinner rolls, white: Kim Mueller, Shakopee

Sweepstakes, yeast breads, plain dough: Heather Zarrett, Champlin

YEAST BREAD, SWEET DOUGH

Coffee cake, apple (no rings): Karen Cope, Minneapolis

Sweet rolls, without fruit or nuts: Marilyn Johnson, Ham Lake

Sweet rolls, containing fruit or nuts: Sharon Su, Rochester

Coffee ring (ring shape only): Karen Cope, Minneapolis

Coffee cake, pull-apart: Sharon Su, Rochester

Sweepstakes, yeast breads, sweet dough: Karen Cope, Minneapolis

QUICK BREAD

Banana bread, no additions: Nadia Drokina, Otsego

Lemon bread, no additions, no icing: Lois Thielen, Grey Eagle

Beer bread, using Minnesota craft beer: Cortney Carlson, Fridley

Not otherwise specified, bread: Sheila Mullen, Woodbury

Nut bread, no fruit or chips to be included: Chad O'Leary, Maplewood

Coffee cake, 8 in. or 9 in. round or 8 in. square: Roxanne Goodwin, Mound

Vegetable bread: Candace Freeman, Melrose

Muffins, blueberry: Steph Krueger, Lakeville

Muffins, poppy seed, no fruit, chips, nuts or vegetable: Joe Smithwick, Cottage Grove

Muffins, oatmeal, no fruit, chips, nuts or vegetable: Emily Hietpas, St. Paul

Muffins, containing vegetable: Debbie Ellingboe, Wayzata

Bundt-type coffee cake, whole cake; 8 in. or 9 in.: Melinda Chapel, St. Paul

Scones: Amy Ellenberger, St. Paul

Sweepstakes, quick breads: Candace Freeman, Melrose

CAKE, EGG

Angel food cake, white: Melissa Findlay-Lampkin, Minneapolis

Chiffon cake: Nancy Dosen, Minneapolis

Chocolate chiffon cake: Sharon Su, Rochester

Sponge cake: Carmel Kaliher, St. Louis Park

Sweepstakes, egg cakes: Nancy Dosen, Minneapolis

CUPCAKES

Decorated cupcakes, Sunflowers: Heather Goulding, St. Paul

CAKES, FAT OR COOKING OIL

Cakes, three (3) or four (4) layers, 8- or 9-in., any flavor: Kelsey Oja, Minneapolis

White cake (with egg whites), 8- or 9-in. two-layer: Candace Freeman, Melrose

Chocolate cake, 8- or 9-in. two-layer: Carol Marsh, Duluth

Pound or loaf cake, no additions or topping: Darlynn Benjamin, Minneapolis

Light bundt cake, no marble, no topping: Chad O'Leary, Maplewood

Dark bundt cake, no marble, no topping: Aya Johnson, St. Louis Park

Vegetable or fruit type, single-layer cake, 8- or 9-in., round or square: Renee Janas-Johnson, Brooklyn Park

Sweepstakes, cakes with fat or cooking oil: Candace Freeman, Melrose

Grand cake sweepstakes (best cake of the fair): Candace Freeman, Melrose

COOKIES AND BARS

Chocolate chip cookies, no fruits or nuts: Beth Christianson-Melby, Halstad

Chocolate chip cookies, with nuts, no fruit: Mary Horoshak, Fridley

Chocolate chip cookies, with oatmeal: Amy Clarke, Savage

Thumbprint cookies: Karen Cope, Minneapolis

Light cookies, rolled flat, no frosting: Julie Palmquist, Andover

Dark cookies, rolled flat, no frosting: Candy Dreshar, Andover

Ice box (refrigerator) cookies: Karen Cope, Minneapolis

Ball-type cookies, not flattened before baking: Maureen Grailer, Cambridge

Light cookies, drop: Elizabeth Connaughty, Rosemount

Dark cookies, drop: Wayne Detzler, New Hope

Peanut butter cookies, no additions: Ronald Maidment, Cannon Falls

Sandwich cookies: Joan Kinsley, Minneapolis

Light cookies, ball type, flattened before baking: Karen Cope, Minneapolis

Dark cookies, ball type, flattened before baking: Joe Smithwick, Cottage Grove

Oatmeal cookies, no fruits, nuts or chips or icing: Debbie Ellingboe, Wayzata

Shortbread cookies: Karen Mateer, St. Paul

Decorated cookies — Presidential: Dawn Dvorak, Mayer

Bars, cake-type or "single layer," with or without topping: Karen Cope, Minneapolis

Bars, layered, no lemon: Elissa Kalman, Orono

Chocolate brownies plain, no frosting: Charlie Lucas, Minneapolis

Chocolate brownies with nuts, chips and/or frosting: Michelle Geisel, Blaine

Sweepstakes, cookies: Joan Kinsley, Minneapolis

Sweepstakes, bars: Karen Cope, Minneapolis

PIES

Apple pies: Carol Marsh, Duluth

Creative apple pies: Carol Marsh, Duluth

Multi-berry pies: Timothy Scott, Mahtomedi

Sweepstakes, pies: Carol Marsh, Duluth

ETHNIC BAKING

Ethnic baking, cookies: Jolynn Wilkinson, Golden Valley

Ethnic baking, bread: Gayle Werner, Minnetonka

Ethnic baking, crisp bread or crackers: Kristen Norman, Minneapolis

Ethnic baking, cake: Roberta Niemela, Golden Valley

Ethnic baking, not otherwise specified: Mary Drabik, Shoreview

Sweepstakes, ethnic baking: Roberta Niemela, Golden Valley

Gluten-free baking

Gluten-free: quick bread loaf: Melissa Hedwall, St. Paul

Gluten-free: scones or muffins: Kathleen Koderick, Rosemount

Gluten-free: cookies or bars: Joan Kinsley, Minneapolis

Gluten-free: cake, any flavor, 8-9 inch two-layer: Sarah Peterson, St. Paul

Gluten-free: yeast bread or rolls: Rachel Memelink, Minneapolis

Sweepstakes, gluten-free baking: Joan Kinsley, Minneapolis

SPECIAL CONTESTS

Vegan Main Dish Contest: Amy Ellenberger, St. Paul

Cake Decorating Contest: Minnesota Landmarks: Connie Seelig, Eden Prairie

Blue Ribbon Best Bread Contest: Karen Cope, Minneapolis

Blue Ribbon Best Cake Contest: Maggie MacIntosh, Minneapolis

Blue Ribbon Best Cookie Contest: Rachael Hood, Minneapolis

Blue Ribbon Best Pie Contest: Kathleen McCarron, Roseville

3 Cricketeers' Best Recipe Contest: Baked goods and other goodies: Anne Ahiers, Vadnais Heights

Les Dames d'Escoffier International: Candace Freeman, Melrose

Peterson Memorial Award: Carol Marsh, Duluth; Timothy Scott, Mahtomedi

Braham Pie Day, of Braham, Minn., the "Homemade Pie Capital of Minnesota": Carol Marsh, Duluth

Ingebretsen's Scandinavian Gifts: Roberta Niemela, Golden Valley

American Swedish Institute: Jolynn Wilkinson, Golden Valley

Catherine Hanley Ethnic Baking Award: Roberta Niemela, Golden Valley

Florence Brammer: Amy Ellenberger, St. Paul

FRUITS

Applesauce, no additions other than sugar: Maria Buhl, Inver Grove Heights

Fruit, unsweetened: Teresa Craig, Elk River

Syrup-packed fruit: Linda Lamosse, Blaine

Fruit syrup, single fruit, just liquid: Teresa Craig, Elk River

JELLIES

Apple: Robert Jackson, Excelsior

Blackberry: Joan Till-Born, Byron

Cherry: Betsy Born, Minneapolis

Crab apple: Barb Schaller, Burnsville

Currant: Liz McMann, St. Paul

Grape: Teresa Craig, Elk River

Herb or herb combo, no mint: Maria Buhl, Inver Grove Heights

Mint: Randi Madden, St. Paul

Pepper: Alya Shafik, Shakopee

Plum: Maria Buhl, Inver Grove Heights

Red raspberry: Jean Reuteler, Jordan

Strawberry: Ann Sparks, Preston

Wild fruit: Beth Dircks, Minneapolis

Wine or fruit and wine: Laura Ackerman, Cottage Grove

Combination of fresh fruits, at least two: Maria Buhl, Inver Grove Heights

Not otherwise specified: Beth Dircks, Minneapolis

JAMS

Fruit with heat or spice coming from peppers: Mary Drabik, Shoreview

Apricot: Kim Narveson, Minnetonka

Black raspberry: Joanne Schultz, St. Paul

Blackberry: Karen Fanning, Minneapolis

Blueberry: Sarah Groen, Arden Hills

Cherry: Skarlie Martin, Bloomington

Orange marmalade: Kim Narveson, Minnetonka

Citrus marmalade: Jill Adams, St. Louis Park

Nectarine: Mary Carlson, White Bear Lake

Peach: Barb Schaller, Burnsville

Pear: Jessica Bartels, Hugo

Plum: Kim Narveson, Minnetonka

Red raspberry: Dorothy Barr, Minneapolis

Rhubarb: Michelle Jost, St. Paul

Strawberry: Alicia Swenson, Hastings

Wild fruit: Susan Lyall, Excelsior

Fruit, with additional flavors and/or spice: Jason Householder, Blaine

Rhubarb with other fruit: Katherine Anderson, Edina

Multi-fruit combinations, with no spice or flavorings: Susan Lindberg, Minneapolis

No-sugar jam: Cambria Breitkreutz, St. Paul

Fruit and wine or liquor (can include spice): Jean Reuteler, Jordan

Not otherwise specified: Rachel Yahnke, Minneapolis

BUTTERS

Apple: Meg Hunter, Oakdale

Not otherwise specified (no pumpkin): Kathy Lee, Mounds View

RELISHES AND SAUCES

Picante or salsa, mild: Susan Lyall, Excelsior

Picante or salsa, hot: Lexi Singer, Lakeville North High School, Lakeville

Chutney, fruit: Kim Kaiser, Minneapolis

Barbecue sauce, non-traditional style: Kurt Zinda, Braham

Barbecue sauce (no spaghetti sauce) traditional style: Robert McAdams, Minneapolis

Corn relish: Therese Weierke, Champlin

Pepper relish: Gillian Schilke, Minneapolis

Cucumber relish: Therese Weierke, Champlin

Zucchini relish: Sonja Wieber, Plymouth

Not otherwise specified: Therese Weierke, Champlin

PICKLES

Beet: Wayne Estenson, Maple Grove

Bean, can include dill: Kathy Lee, Mounds View

Bread and butter, sweet: Barb Schaller, Burnsville

Cucumber, sweet: Gwendolyn Swenson, North Branch

Dill, no garlic or vegetable: Gwendolyn Swenson, North Branch

Dill, with garlic but no other vegetable or spices: Wayne Estenson, Maple Grove

Dill, with other vegetables and/or spices, not hot: Robert Briant, Prior Lake

Dill, hot: Kathy Lee, Mounds View

Peppers, sweet: Amy Munsinger, Elko New Market

Peppers, hot: Amy Munsinger, Elko New Market

Sauerkraut (must be heat-processed): Michael Hanson, Plymouth

Watermelon rind, sweet: Kerry Kelzenberg, Bloomington

Not otherwise specified, single or mixed vegetable: John Swenson, Roseville

VINEGARS

Display of non-herbed flavored vinegars, filtered, 3 varieties: Deborah Otten, Edina

Display of herbed vinegars, filtered, 3 varieties: No first place

TOMATOES

Tomatoes: Teresa Craig, Elk River

Tomato mixture, Minnesota-style: Sonja Wieber, Plymouth

Tomato juice: Teresa Craig, Elk River

DRIED ITEMS

Dried fruit: Gillian Schilke, Minneapolis

Dried vegetables: Gillian Schilke, Minneapolis

Dried herbs: Timothy Roatch, West St. Paul

Jerky: Jason Westad, Roseville

MAPLE SYRUP

Golden maple syrup, delicate flavor: Stu and Corinne Peterson, Dent

Amber maple syrup, rich flavor: Jack Sullivan, Edina

Dark maple syrup, robust flavor: Curtis Jones, Onamia

Very dark maple syrup, strong flavor: Jack Sullivan, Edina

Special contests

Canning with Mrs. Wages (jam): Gillian Schilke, Minneapolis

Mrs. Wages Blue Ribbon Award (best in show, jellies and jams): Skarlie Martin, Bloomington,

Mrs. Wages Blue Ribbon Award (best in show, relish): Therese Weierke, Champlin

Mrs. Wages Blue Ribbon Award (best in show, pickles): John Swenson, Roseville

Minnesota Maple Syrup Producers Award: Curtis Jones, Onamia

LIQUID HONEY

White honey: Amelia Narigon, St. Paul

Light amber honey: Karen Voy, Oakdale Parks Apiary, Oakdale

Amber honey: No first place

12-ounce plastic squeeze bear containers: Craig Fourre, Dayton

GRANULATED (CREAMED) HONEY

Creamed honey, natural flavor: Susan Imhoff, Andover

Creamed honey, fruit flavored: Warren Schave, Wyoming

Creamed honey, cinnamon flavored: Susan Imhoff, Andover

Honey Yeast Breads

White: Mary Ann Gertken-Johnson, Richmond

Cinnamon raisin: Linda Wendland, Chaska

Challah: Kris Cramer, St. Paul

Rye: Lois Thielen, Grey Eagle

Multigrain: Nicole Aufderhar, Walker

Dinner rolls: William Middeke, Eden Prairie

Sweet rolls: Sue Brown, Minneapolis

HONEY QUICK BREADS

Fruit muffins: Candace Freeman, Melrose

Oatmeal muffins: Candace Freeman, Melrose

Scones: Sonia Jacobsen, Roseville

Banana bread: Marcia Adair, St. Paul

Gluten-free muffins: Mary Zastrow, Apple Valley

UNFROSTED HONEY CAKES

Carrot cake: Candace Freeman, Melrose

Chiffon or sponge cake: Zoe Gwinn, Field Middle School, Minneapolis

Minnesota Hobby Beekeepers Award

Baklava: Pam Ploumidis, North Oaks

HONEY COOKIES

Peanut butter cookies: Chad O'Leary, Maplewood

Fruit bars: Joyce Lacey, Ashby

HONEY PASTRIES

Apple pie: Fay Peterson, Apple Valley

Double crust fruit pie: Fay Peterson, Apple Valley

Pecan pie: Andrea Wambold, Eagan

Baked cheese cake: Meg Gehlen Nodzon, St. Paul

Baklava: Pam Ploumidis, North Oaks

Honey treats and granola

Snack mix: Kim Narveson, Minnetonka

Energy or granola bar: Karen Cope, Minneapolis

Honey caramel popcorn: Joyce Lacey, Ashby

Honey baked nuts: Ted Narveson, Minnetonka

Honey granola: Karen Onny, Spring Park

Honey beverages

Honey lemonade: Andrew Panek, North St. Paul

Honey butters and spreads

Flavored honey butter: Oliver Mechtel, Brooklyn Park

Fruit preserve or jam, processed: Mark Manship, Minneapolis

Honey fruits and pickled vegetables

Peaches, plain or spiced: Diann Albers, Apple Valley

Any pickled vegetable or fruit relish: Diann Albers, Apple Valley

Any other canned fruit: Natalya Singer, Century Middle School, Lakeville

Honey salad dressings or dips

Russian or French style dressing: Janel Schliemann, Minneapolis

Tomato salsa, canned: Steve Gompertz, Andover

Fresh fruit or veggie salsa: Ronald Vickery, Eden Prairie

Vinaigrette: Marceil Luedtke, Roseville

Honey meat sauces

Barbecue sauce: Kim Narveson, Minnetonka

Mustard sauce: Sonja Wieber, Plymouth

Sweepstakes, honey food products: Joyce Lacey, Ashby