MN State Fair Contest!

It's the Great Minnesota Get-Together! Every year, the largest state fair in the country brings millions of revelers to St. Paul, MN to explore the shopping, play at the Midway, walk the animal barns, and of course fill themselves up with amazing food they can't find anywhere else. It's the perfect venue for a baking contest, and that's why we're sponsoring a cricket powder muffin recipe challenge.

Mighty Muffin Recipe Contest 

Award-winning cricket-powered muffins calling your name? Do you have what it takes to tackle a competitive baking challenge? Do you love cash prizes? Enter our Mighty Muffin Recipe Contest. It's easy!

1. First, get yourself some delicious Pure Cricket Powder. Use code (StateFair2024 to get free shipping if purchased before July 16.) Then, put on your chef hat and start baking! 
2. To make it a "Mighty Muffin", all entries must include at least 1/4 cup of Pure Cricket Powder in the recipe. Extra consideration will be given to recipes with other "mighty" ingredients known to give you power and energy. Fun examples include nuts, seeds, oatmeal, peanut butter, and chocolate. But feel free to get as creative as you want -- we're hoping for a great mix of cricket-powered classics and outrageous inventions.
3. Register on-line at the MN State Fair Creative Activities Competitions site.
1. If you haven't competed before, you register as an exhibitor in a "static competition" and with an account type of "individual".    
2. Registration is required by Tuesday, July 30 at 4:30PM. Note: there are conflicting registration deadlines listed during the process. All Creative Activities (like our contest) deadlines are July 30th at 4:30PM.
4. Print your recipe for submission.
1.  Use 8.5" x 11" paper only. 
2. Side 1: First and Last Name, Address, Phone, Class Number (ours is 1090) and Exhibitor Number (you get your exhibitor number after registration is complete). 
3. Side 2: Recipe with ingredients listed with measurements, preparation instructions, baking time, and yield. Nutritional information is not required. 
5. Deliver your delicious Mighty Muffins to the judges
1. Entries must be in disposable containers, which will not be returned.
2. Must contain at least 6 muffins
3. Deliver them on Saturday, August 17th between 9:30AM and 1:00PM
4. Deliver them to the Creative Activities Annex at the MN State Fairgrounds, between the Education building and Creative Activities building. Here's a MN State Fair Map for reference.

  

Judging Criteria 25%    Mighty Muffin theme and ingredient use 25%    Taste, texture, and flavor 25%    Creativity 25%    Ease of preparation

 

 

Using Pure Cricket Powder in Baking Recipes

Cricket powder is easier to incorporate than most people think. And because it's exceptionally healthy, it's a fantastic inclusion to almost any baked good. 

We recommend starting by replacing 1/4 of the flour used in your recipe with cricket powder. Particularly when you're swapping for all-purpose or whole wheat flour, most people won't tell the difference.  

For non-rising recipes and recipes with heartier ingredients, you can use even more cricket powder. For example, we always use it in buckwheat pancakes, walnut banana bread, molasses cookies, and spice cake. We usually don't include it in sugar cookies, pound cake, or crepes. 

Cricket powder does not carry a strong flavor, but you may notice a slightly nutty, earthy flavor. Some people say it tastes exactly like they expected, and others say they're surprised the flavor isn't stronger. As with any ingredient, it goes well with some things and not as well with others. Check out our Recipe Blog for inspiration, and let us know what you come up with!