Food - Midwest Living Cookies

Top Cookie Bakers Win State Fair Honors

The best cookie bakers from across the state put their top creations to the test in the Midwest Living Cookies competition judged Tuesday, August 15, and Wednesday, August 16, at the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

Judy Kiburz-Harrison of Tingley won First Place Overall and a $250 cash award.

Heather Collier of Des Moines claimed Second Place Overall and $150. Marcia Miller of Des Moines earned Third Place Overall and $100.

Kiburz-Harrison also won the Sweepstakes award.

Collier and Cheryl Ashwill of Des Moines tied for the Sweepstakes award.

Entries were judged on flavor, texture and general appearance.

Complete results follow:

Bar Cookies - Apple Bars (frosted or unfrosted)

1) Terri Treft, Sioux City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

Bar Cookies - Blondies

1) Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

2) Carolyn Maschmann, Marshalltown

3) Heather Collier, Des Moines

Bar Cookies - Brownies, Flavored (frosted or unfrosted; such as mint, mocha, raspberry, swirled, etc.)

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

2) Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Bar Cookies - Brownies, Frosted, With Nuts

1) Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

2) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Bar Cookies - Brownies, Frosted, Without Nuts

1) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

2) Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

3) Larry Stohr, Altoona

Bar Cookies - Brownies, Unfrosted (with or without nuts)

1) June Newman, Garner

2) Kate Heisler, Cedar Rapids

3) Lauren Gilbert, West Des Moines

Bar Cookies - Butterscotch Bars

1) Lashelle Woods, Newton

2) Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

3) Carolyn Maschmann, Marshalltown

Bar Cookies - Jam Bars

1) Belinda Myers, Osceola

2) Lauren Gilbert, West Des Moines

3) Margaret Stoffregen, Des Moines

Bar Cookies - Lemon Bars

1) Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

2) Mary Cownie, West Des Moines

3) Diane Rauh, Des Moines

Bar Cookies - Peanut Butter Bars

1) Kathleen Haley Taylor, Knoxville

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) Kristi Krafka, Cambridge

Bar Cookies - Pecan Bars

1) Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) Jamie Larson, Des Moines

Bar Cookies - Pumpkin Bars, Frosted

1) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

2) Kathy Poetting, Des Moines

3) Pam Van Essen, Ottumwa

Bar Cookies - Pumpkin Bars, Unfrosted

1) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

2) Patricia Custer, Urbandale

3) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

Bar Cookies - Rice Krispy Bars

1) Jeni Johnson, Roland

2) Mary Cownie, West Des Moines

3) Dana Edleman, Cambridge

Bar Cookies - One-Layer Bar Cookie Other Than Named

1) Mary Cownie, West Des Moines

2) Jeni Johnson, Roland

3) Carolyn Maschmann, Marshalltown

Bar Cookies - Two-Layer Bars Other Than Named

1) Erin Wilgenbusch, Story City

2) Dawn Shaw, Pella

3) Kris Davis Johnson, Altoona

Bar Cookies - Three-Layer Bars Other Than Named

1) Catherine Bailey, Clive

2) Greg Woods, Des Moines

3) Kathy Massing, New Market

Bar Cookies - Four-or-More-Layer Bars Other Than Named

1) Dana Edleman, Cambridge

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) Patricia Custer, Urbandale

Molded or Pressed - Chocolate Crinkles

1) Jill Gilbert, West Des Moines

2) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

3) Amy Fuson, Indianola

Molded or Pressed - Coconut

1) Carolyn Maschmann, Marshalltown

2) Judy Kiburz-Harrison, Tingley

3) Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

Molded or Pressed - Crackles/Crinkles (any flavor)

1) Larry Stohr, Altoona

2) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

3) Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

Molded or Pressed - Filled Cookies

1) Heather Collier, Des Moines

2) Luann Sutter, Ankeny

3) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

Molded or Pressed - Gingersnaps

1) Diane Rauh, Des Moines

2) Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

3) Diana Bedwell, Norwalk

Hon Mention - Cindy Blubaugh, Des Moines

Molded or Pressed - Molasses

1) Deborah Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Christina Mccleary, Des Moines

3) Heather Collier, Des Moines

Molded or Pressed - Peanut Blossoms

1) Joseph Barsetti, West Des Moines

2) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

3) Heather Collier, Des Moines

Hon Mention – Jennifer Simonton, Waukee

Molded or Pressed - Peanut Butter Balls

1) Diane Rauh, Des Moines

2) Larry Stohr, Altoona

Molded or Pressed - Peanut Butter

1) Kim Peterson, Granger

2) Judy Kiburz-Harrison, Tingley

3) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

Molded or Pressed - Shortbread, flavored

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

2) Margaret Stoffregen, Des Moines

3) Jennifer Simonton, Waukee

Molded or Pressed - Shortbread, plain

1) Jamie Larson, Des Moines

2) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

3) Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

Molded or Pressed - Snickerdoodles

1) Kaitlyn Beaman, Des Moines

2) Heather Collier, Des Moines

3) Mary Cownie, West Des Moines

Molded or Pressed - Snowballs

1) Kathleen Haley Taylor, Knoxville

2) Luann Sutter, Ankeny

3) Larry Stohr, Altoona

Molded or Pressed - Spritz

1) Amanda Szuch, Ankeny

2) June Newman, Garner

3) Gloria Gray, Des Moines

Molded or Pressed - Sugar (not rolled or cut)

1) Joseph Barsetti, West Des Moines

2) June Newman, Garner

3) Judy Kiburz-Harrison, Tingley

Molded or Pressed - Thumbprint (any filling permitted)

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

2) Heather Collier, Des Moines

3) Joseph Barsetti, West Des Moines

Molded or Pressed - Cookie Other Than Named

1) Luann Sutter, Ankeny

2) Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

3) Judy Kiburz-Harrison, Tingley

Ethnic Cookies - Biscotti (any flavor)

1) Jeffrey King, Newton

2) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

Chinese Almond

1) Judy Kiburz-Harrison, Tingley

2) Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

Ethnic Cookies - Italian

1) Joseph Barsetti, West Des Moines

2) Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

3) Jacob Van Patten, Nevada

Ethnic Cookies - Macarons (French-style)

1) Pam Van Essen, Ottumwa

2) Jodi Brady, Runnells
3) Dawn Shaw, Pella

Ethnic Cookies - Scandinavian

1) Judy Kiburz-Harrison, Tingley

2) Marla Mayberry, Urbandale

3) Chris Myers, Boone

Ethnic Cookies - Ethnic Cookie Other Than Named

1) Judy Kiburz-Harrison, Tingley

2) Larry Stohr, Altoona

3) Jeffrey King, Newton

Drop Cookies - Chocolate Base

1) Terri Treft, Sioux City

2) Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

3) Christina Mccleary, Des Moines

Chocolate Chip, With Nuts (traditional)

1) Martha Kunkle, Carlisle

2) Brian Keul, West Des Moines

3) Erin Wilgenbusch, Story City

Drop Cookies - Chocolate Chip, Without Nuts (traditional)

1) Anna Sheets, Zearing

2) Amanda Szuch, Ankeny

3) Martha Kunkle, Carlisle

Hon Mention – Abby Kaska, Solon

Drop Cookies - Coconut Macaroons

1) Aaron Barker, West Des Moines

2) Terri Treft, Sioux City

3) Patricia Custer, Urbandale

Drop Cookies - Dried Fruit (other than Oatmeal Raisin)

1) Judy Kiburz-Harrison, Tingley

2) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

3) Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

Drop Cookies - Frosted Drop (any flavor)

1) Olivia Smith, Winterset

2) Cindy Blubaugh, Des Moines

3) Heather Collier, Des Moines

Drop Cookies - M&M

1) Luann Sutter, Ankeny

2) Larry Stohr, Altoona

3) Amanda Szuch, Ankeny

Drop Cookies - Meringue Drop

1) Patricia Custer, Urbandale

2) Phyllis Olson, Newton

Drop Cookies - Monster

1) Jeni Johnson, Roland

2) Dawn Shaw, Pella

3) Heather Collier, Des Moines

Drop Cookies - No-Bake

1) Brian Keul, West Des Moines

2) Colette Wortman, Urbandale

3) Amy Mertes, Carson

Drop Cookies - Oatmeal Butterscotch (with or without nuts)

1) Larry Stohr, Altoona

2) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

3) Julie Petersen, Knoxville

Drop Cookies - Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, With Nuts

1) Carolyn Maschmann, Marshalltown

2) Kim Peterson, Granger

3) Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

Drop Cookies - Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Without Nuts

1) Lashelle Woods, Newton

2) Deborah Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Carolyn Maschmann, Marshalltown

Drop Cookies - Oatmeal Raisin, With Nuts

1) Heather Collier, Des Moines

2) Carolyn Maschmann, Marshalltown

3) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

Drop Cookies - Oatmeal Raisin, Without Nuts

1) Judy Kiburz-Harrison, Tingley

2) Carolyn Maschmann, Marshalltown

3) Denise French, Cedar Rapids

Drop Cookies - Oatmeal (other than named)

1) Donna Kimberley, Collins

2) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

3) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

Drop Cookies - Orange (frosted or unfrosted)

1) Judy Kiburz-Harrison, Tingley

2) Larry Stohr, Altoona

3) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

Drop Cookies - Peanut Butter Base

1) Heather Collier, Des Moines

2) Brenda Phillips, Urbandale

3) Kathy Poetting, Des Moines

Drop Cookies - Potato Chip

1) Brenda Phillips, Urbandale

2) Diane Rauh, Des Moines

3) Julie Petersen, Knoxville

Drop Cookies - Ranger

1) Nicki Studer, Indianola

2) Heather Collier, Des Moines

3) Judy Kiburz-Harrison, Tingley

Drop Cookies - Sugar

1) Judy Kiburz-Harrison, Tingley

2) Cindy Blubaugh, Des Moines

3) Phyllis Olson, Newton

Drop Cookies - White Chocolate

1) Jessica Denner, Polk City

2) Terri Treft, Sioux City

3) Larry Stohr, Altoona

Drop Cookies - Drop Cookies Other Than Named

1) Heather Collier, Des Moines

2) Cheryl Kuhlman, Ames

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Health Cookies - Cookies Made with a Sugar Substitute

1) Judy Kiburz-Harrison, Tingley

2) Carolyn Maschmann, Marshalltown

3) Renee Olsen, McCallsburg

Health Cookies - Gluten Free

1) Jessica Denner, Polk City

2) Nicki Studer, Indianola

3) Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

Health Cookies - Whole Grain

1) Judy Kiburz-Harrison, Tingley

2) Patricia Custer, Urbandale

3) Carolyn Maschmann, Marshalltown

Refrigerated and Rolled - Icebox (sliced)

1) Lori Geadelmann, Adel

2) Amanda Szuch, Ankeny

3) Judy Kiburz-Harrison, Tingley

Hon Mention – Ginny Ray, Des Moines

Refrigerated and Rolled - Rolled Gingerbread

1) Heather Collier, Des Moines

2) Carolyn Maschmann, Marshalltown

Refrigerated and Rolled - Rolled Sugar (frosted)

1) Cyndy Erickson, Des Moines

2) Dawn Shaw, Pella

3) Bri Simonton, Urbandale

Hon Mention – Ginny Ray, Des Moines

Refrigerated and Rolled - Rolled Sugar, Unfrosted

1) Cyndy Erickson, Des Moines

2) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

3) Ronald Marr, Waukee

Refrigerated and Rolled - Sandwich Cookies

1) Renee Olsen, Mccallsburg

2) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

3) Luann Sutter, Ankeny

Hon Mention - Judy Kiburz-Harrison, Tingley

Refrigerated and Rolled - Rolled Cookies Other Than Named

1) Brooke Mickelson, Clive

2) Jane Carson, Swisher

3) Luann Sutter, Ankeny

Cake Mix Cookies - Bar (frosted or unfrosted)

1) Cheryl Ashwill, Des MOInes

2) Julie Petersen, Knoxville

3) Diana Barker, Indianola

Cake Mix Cookies - Drop or Shaped (frosted or unfrosted)

1) Carolyn Maschmann, Marshalltown

2) Terri Treft, Sioux City

3) Kim Vore, Ankeny

Youth - Bar Cookie (age 12 and under)

1) Mia Frangopol, Mingo

2) Kara Kuhlman, Ames

3) Caroline Walker, West Des Moines

Hon Mention – Simon Patterson, Des Moines

Youth - Bar Cookie (age 13-17)

1) Paige Hilgerson, West Des Moines

Youth - Drop Cookie (age 12 and under)

1) Mia Frangopol, Mingo

2) Molly Wilson, Waukee

3) Wyatt Swinton, Ankeny

Hon Mention – Kristin Kuhlman, Ames

Youth - Drop Cookie (age 13-17)

1) Paige Hilgerson, West Des Moines

2) Claire Tigges, Waukee

3) Lauryn Paulson, West Des Moines

Youth - Rolled Cookie (age 12 and under)

1) Analisea Patterson, Des Moines

Youth - Rolled Cookie (age 13-17)

1) Lauryn Paulson, West Des Moines

2) Paige Hilgerson, West Des Moines

Youth - Unbaked Cookie (age 12 and under)

1) Katelyn Kuhlman, Ames

2) Jade Sommars, Colfax

Youth - Unbaked Cookie (age 13-17)

1) Paige Hilgerson, West Des Moines

Youth - Cookie Other Than Named (age 12 and under)

1) Mia Frangopol, Mingo

2) Molly Jones, New Sharon

3) Kara Kuhlman, Ames

Youth - Cookie Other Than Named (age 13-17)

1) Claire Tigges, Waukee

2) Paige Hilgerson, West Des Moines

Overall Winners

1) Judy Kiburz-Harrison, Tingley

2) Heather Collier, Des Moines

3) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

Sweepstakes/Reserve Sweepstakes

Sweepstakes - Judy Kiburz-Harrison, Tingley

Reserves Sweepstakes – TIE – Cheryl Ashwill, Des Moines

Reserves Sweepstakes – TIE – Heather Collier, Des Moines

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. There were 138 divisions, 695 classes and over 6,800 entries at this year’s Fair. Food Department judging was held in the Elwell Family Food Center.