State Fair Puprle Ribbon Dried Apricots Recipes

STATE FAIR RIBBON FUDGE BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Spray the bottom of an 8x8-inch metal baking pan with cooking spray.
• Mix flour, cocoa, and 1/4 teaspoon plus a pinch of salt together in a bowl and set aside.
• Melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add semisweet and bittersweet chocolate to melted butter and stir until smooth. Remove from heat; set aside for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix brown sugar, eggs, and banana by hand until combined, about 1 minute. Add melted chocolate mixture to banana mixture and stir well, about 1 minute more. Mix flour mixture slowly into chocolate, stirring just enough to combine. Fold in walnuts and chocolate chips. Spread batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before cutting.

DRIED APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Soak apricots in boiling water in a bowl until hydrated, about 30 minutes. Blend apricots, remaining water, and vanilla extract in a food processor, working in batches, until blended but still slightly chunky.
• Combine apricot mixture with pectin in a large pot over medium heat; cook until just boiling. Add sugar and lemon juice; boil until sugar has dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Sterilize jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the apricot jam into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4-inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool, about 1 hour. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.

STATE FAIR BLUE RIBBON CARAMEL CORN

Steps:

• Pop the corn, pick out the old maids, and keep warm with nuts in a roasting pan in the oven @275*. Butter two sheet pans.
• Stir the sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt together in a 4 - 5 cup heavy bottomed pan over low heat until the sugar melts. Increase heat to medium and constantly stir until the mix reaches a rolling boil. Boil 4 minutes and remove from heat. Add in the baking soda and vanilla and stir to make sure the soda is thoroughly incorporated.
• Pour caramel over the warm popcorn and stir gently (so you don't break the popcorn) until it is completely covered in caramel. Divide between the two sheet pans and bake for 40 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Don't skip the stirring.
• Cool on waxed paper to room temperature. Store in two zip lock gallon baggies.
• Hope you love this!

STATE FAIR PUPRLE RIBBON DRIED APRICOTS

Steps:

• Lay apricots so the insides are pointing downward.
• First hour set dehydrator to 120 degrees.
• Then move it up to 135 degrees for 7 more hours.
• Apricots can be chopped up and used in fruitcake or special breads, or as a snack.