Well, it’s that time again! I’m prepping for this year’s Florida Strawberry Festival!
The Florida Strawberry Festival is held each year in Plant City, which is the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, believe it or not, and features entertainment (like Little Big Town and Rascal Flatts), exhibits, rides, and TONS of competitions. Competitions from the Strawberry Queen pageant, all the way through agriculture, right on down to crafts and baked goods. You can visit their website HERE for more info!
I’ve been attending the Festival since I was…well…since I was! HA! The hubby and I actually have been working the information booth as volunteers there for years. And I’ve always wanted to participate in some of the competitions, but I was never able to…until last year.
Last year I entered Strawberry Shortcake Cookies into the Neighborhood Village Baking Competition in the cookie category, and I won second place! I was beside myself! (And I blogged about it HERE, in case you want to check it out! This was over on the OLD blog!)
So this year, I’m out for first!
But I’m trying to choose between three recipes:
- Lime Sugar Cookies (with Pumpkin Seeds)
- Potato Chip Cookies
- Mini Strawberry Pie Cookies
Whatcha think? The main things I want to make sure of is that the cookie is unique, that it isn’t too overwhelming to prep and that it doesn’t need refrigeration. OH, and that it doesn’t involve a cake mix.
So what’s YOUR favorite from the above list? Why? Do you have any other suggestions for me? Time to break out all your UNIQUE cookie recipes and see if they’re prize-winning!
They look so tasty!
I guess they were! I couldn’t eat them, so I had my taste-testers help me!
Shame!
Best of luck on your competition! All yur items look so tasty.
Thank you! We’ll see how it goes this year!
Oh my goodness, your ideas are fabulous. The mini strawberry pie cookies sound especially delish!
Yes, they do, and they’re SO cute!
They look amazing. Mine would be traditional strawberry pie, something about that really takes me back to my childhood. Goof food and great memories. Good Luck!
Oh yes, when they’re in peak season we’re normally making strawberry EVERYTHING!!!
The mini strawberry pie cookies sound good–I love fruit pies so I know I would go for these–the lime one sounds good as well but not sure if the addition of seeds might throw some people off
I know, I wasn’t sure of the seeds, either. But definitely unique!
I think the Strawberry festival would be so fun to visit!
It really IS a lot of fun! You can get strawberry anything there! From jewelry to clothing, to the best milkshakes and strawberry shortcake ever!
Those look really yummy! Since I’m a lime lover, I would go with the lime sugar cookie; however, since it is the Strawberry Festival, maybe you should go with the strawberry pie cookie (it seems to be everyone else’s favorite!) Good luck and let us know how you did!
I know, I’m really torn!
Yummy, really wish I had one of these with my coffee right now. It is so awesome that you do baking competitions. You GO girl.
Thanks, Shelly! I want to compete in another fair that is close to us, too, but I keep missing that deadline, ha!
Those cookies look delicious! For this year, I’d go with the lime cookies. I’ve never had a lime cookie before, so it sounds really original. Good luck!!
Yes, it DOES sound very original! That’s definitely what I like about that one!
If we’re voting, I am all in favor of the strawberry pie cookie. That sounds like it would be fabulous.
And they are so cute, too! Thank you, Missy!
Are all baked goods supposed to have strawberries for the Strawberry Festival? My vote would be for the strawberry pie cookies though regardless. The lime cookies sound delicious, and I’ve never thought of using pumpkin seeds in cookies. Do you use them whole or chop them?
Also, I couldn’t get your link to the Strawberry Shortcake Cookies to work. 🙁 I checked out your old blog…wow have you come a long way baby!
I sure would LOVE this cookie recipe! 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
They are not SUPPOSED to be strawberry, no, but I like the idea of doing something strawberry! And yes, the pumpkin seeds are whole, so I’m not entirely sure about that, either. Definitely unique! And yes, I’m so sorry about the link – I don’t know what happened between the time I checked it last night and today – I can’t even find the blog I got it from anymore 🙁 But here is the same recipe from a different source:
https://www.marthastewart.com/315652/strawberry-shortcake-cookies?czone=food%2Fcookies-cnt%2Feveryday-favorites&gallery=275327&slide=315652¢er=276956
I updated the link in the post, too, thanks for letting me know!
Yum! Those look so good… Thanks for the link. 🙂
Sure thing 🙂
Oh… and good luck! 🙂
THANK YOU!
Second place is pretty amazing for your first time out. Second time is a charm 🙂 Good luck!
Yes, I was pretty excited! Having never done it before, I didn’t know what to expect at all!
I would love to attend a strawberry festival! It sounds sooooo yummy! I am shooting for the Mini Strawberry Pie cookies (since they are strawberry themed. I wish you the best… and of course I can’t wait for you to share the recipes! 😛
Yes, the Festival is TONS of fun! I will be sharing the recipe for sure!
Amazing! And to be honest, when I saw this.. my mouth went drooling for it – seriously no exaggeration there lol. (maybe a bit but I meant it.. must be so yummy to taste!)
HA! Well, I couldn’t taste these because they aren’t gluten-free, so I put my testers to work. They approved! 🙂
The lime sugar cookies sound very interesting, but I like the sounds of strawberry for some reason. If I could eat sugar…. Oh my gosh. I would be knocking down your door to get to those treats.
I know, I’m so torn! You are welcome anytime LOL
Love potato chip cookies, but I also think the lime cookies sound interesting.
Yes they do! I don’t even know which ones I should do…
Wow, those look amazing! You’re making me hungry.
LOL Sorry about that! 🙂
Hope you win this year! I would love to try your Mini Strawberry Pie Cookies! Good luck!
Thank you! I will post the recipe eventually 🙂
Fingers crossed for a 1st place finish this year! I love the idea of a lime sugar cookie!
Me too, Theresa! Unique!
Oh my goodness! I would absolutely love to attend that festival! Yum! And those cookies! I must Try that recipe!
You would love the Festival! And just in case you didn’t get my message, here’s the proper link!
https://www.marthastewart.com/315652/strawberry-shortcake-cookies?czone=food%2Fcookies-cnt%2Feveryday-favorites&gallery=275327&slide=315652¢er=276956
Good luck on the competition. I had no idea that Plant City is the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, wow!
Thank you, Marika! Yes indeed! Good things come in small packages! 🙂
Wishing you first place no matter what cookie you decide to make. Sounds like a great event
Thank you, Wendy!
The potato chip ones sounds unique, but since it is a Strawberry Festival maybe the pie ones? They all sound good! Do you have to make the recipe up as well? Are these all Kristen specials or did you find the recipes somewhere?
I know, the more I think about the the more I lean for the strawberry ones. And no, thank goodness I don’t have to make up the recipe – that would be way too much pressure LOL
Our Strawberry Festivals are in June around here. I usually end up working as a vendor at festivals instead of enjoying them. I wonder if I could vend and enter a baking contest? Good luck with yours.
I’ll bet you could! You should try it!
Congrats on your win. I can definitely see why you placed in the prizes! Those cookies look so delicious! I wish we had a local strawberry festival in town!
It really is a fun community event!
my son and i love strawberries. Too bad we dont have any strawberry festivals here (that I know of)
Well, that’s no good 🙁 You are welcome at ours anytime!
I love strawberries looks yummy!
Thank you, Amanda!
The mini strawberry pie cookies sound great. I hope you win!
Me too, Pam! We shall see!
Congrats on your win last year. I would like to taste the Potato Chip Cookies. Sound really interesting. And yummy
I know, they DO sound interesting LOL
Congratulations! The cookies look absolutely delicious. Can we get the recepy?
Yes, click on the “Strawberry Shortcake Cookies” text and it will take you to the recipe!
Gosh! I am in love with that strawberry cookies 🙂 Simply delish! Have fun at the festival 🙂
Thank you, Vinma! 🙂
Mini Strawberry Pie Cookies. I think that’s what you should make, you’ll definitely grab first place. No second this year for you!
I hope you’re right! Getting excited! 🙂
Yummy. I would go with the potato chip cookies. My mother experimented and made a delicous potatochip chicken. I can only imaging how nice it will taste in a cookie.
Yummy! I could add my own touches to it, I’m sure!
Mini Strawberry pie cookies has my vote! Wish I could have some. Whatever you choose I’m sure it will be delicious.
Thank you, Andrea! 🙂
I can’t quite wrap my head around potato chip cookies but the other sound fantastic. I hope you’ll post recipes of those cookies!
I know, the potato chip ones were just so unique I thought maybe they would grab the attention of one of the judges 🙂 And yes, I will certainly post recipes!
Oh gosh they look amazing well done on making 2nd place with them – I’m think you should go for Potato Chip Cookies this year 😀
Congratulations on last year´s win. The detail of the ribbon bow looks so cute.
Cheering for you this year. 🙂
Thanks, Paula! 🙂
oh, those look yummo! I’m in with everyone who says potato chip cookies! 🙂
Every year we plan on going, but always something comes up and we end up not getting there! Hopefully this year! maybe we could even meet up there 🙂
Oh, I would LOVE that, Liga!!!
This is one of those events that I am kicking myself for not getting to. I have lived in Florida my entire life and am finally getting ready to leave it. There are so many things like this I wish I had gone to do now. I hope you win this year, your cookies – I say the LIme Sugar Cookies or the Mini Strawberry Pie cookies as they are very unique! – Good Luck.
Aw 🙁 Don’t kick yourself too hard! Thanks for the well wishes!
MMMMMM……..mini strawberry pie, yummmm!
That does seem to be a favorite LOL
I think either the strawberry mini pie recipe sounds great to me!! That strawberry recipe from last year looked fab! Good luck!
Thanks so much!
I have a feeling you will get the first prize this time. Good luck!
I don’t know…time will tell!
Yuummmm I never heard of cookies like these before. Definitely A+ on creativity. I’d go for the strawberry pie cookies. I’m curious how they will look.
Me too LOL They actually look like small round flat pies, with lattice across the top and everything!
they look amazing i think you should do the strawberry pie cookies i would love to see the outcome.
Thanks, Kay! Yes, everyone seems to be liking the Strawberry Pie Cookies!
These look delicious! I would love to try them 😉 I would say the Strawberry pie cookies for you question at the end!
I think it’s gonna end up being the Strawberry Pie cookies 🙂
I would do either the strawberry pie cookie or the potato chip cookie! Good Luck!!! Bring home 1st place!
I shall do my best!!! 🙂
i am hoping to get to the strawberry festival this year i missed it last year when is it again
It should tell ya for sure on the website: http://www.flstrawberryfestival.com 🙂
We have a strawberry festival each year, and we love going! I’d love to see you make the Potato Chip Cookies! Sound yummy!
You have one, too! That’s awesome!!! I didn’t know if there were any others!
Those cookies look delicious. Good luck!
Thank you! 🙂
They all sound awesome & unique Kristen! What a fun event 🙂 I’ll be crossing my fingers for your 1st place – I have no doubt you’ll get it!!
Aw, thank you, Renee! 🙂
Good luck! I am sure you will do great.
Thanks, Amanda!
I wish I was that good at baking that I could enter competitions. Good luck to you, I am sure that you are going to do great.
Well, I’m not sure I’m that good at all…I just like trying!
Wow! That’s really cool that you won in cookie competitions! Congrats!
I was pretty excited LOL (It doesn’t take much to amuse me!)
That is so cool! I would love to enter a baking competition!
You should totally do it! Lots of fun!
I think they all sound great! I’d be most likely to want to try the lime sugar cookies myself. Good luck–may this be a first prize year for you!
I can only hope, Jean! Thank you!