I am excited to introduce a new feature here on the CCC blog – Throwback Thursday!

We all know #ThrowbackThursday or #TBT is a popular trend on social media where people post photos of themselves from years ago.  I figured it would be fun to piggyback on this trend and start featuring contest recipes from days gone by!

How many of you have recipes from past contests that have become go-to staples in your recipe box?  You know, those recipes that are just so good, you find yourself making them over and over?  We all have them.  Sometimes they won a contest, sometimes they just made it to the finals, but there is something special about them.  Now is the time to revive these favorites for #ThrowbackThursday and share them with all of the readers here at CCC!

I wanted to kick off CCC #TBT with a tribute to my mom, Debbie Vanni, and feature a recipe that we have made time and time again in my family – “Baklava Bars.”

She entered this recipe in the 2007 “Mix it Up with Betty” cookie contest sponsored by Betty Crocker several years back.  This recipe didn’t win the top prize that year, but it was among the finalists.  Ever since she came up with this recipe, we have been completely obsessed!  I have made them for parties where they were a huge hit, my brother-in-law begs my sister to make them on special occasions, the list could go on and on.

I am so impressed by her creativity in this recipe.  The idea of taking mini phillo shells and crushing them up is genius!  It’s a quick and easy way to recreate the flavor and texture of classic baklava in a snap.

The recipe is on the Betty Crocker website where it has 4 1/2 stars from 540 reviewers and 135 comments.  It has even been pinned over 4,000 times!

Just browsing through those comments reminds me of what contests are really all about.  Yes, winning the top prize is great, but knowing a recipe has impacted so many people is even better!  It’s so wonderful to know that this recipe is not only cherished in my family but has become a favorite in other households as well.

Do you have a suggestion for a CCC #ThrowbackThursday recipe?  Email us!  Kristina@CookingContestCentral.com

Your Name:

Recipe:  (Please type out the full recipe or submit a link to the recipe online)

Original recipe by:  (Can be your own or a favorite created by a fellow CCC member)

What contest is this recipe from?:  (Remember, the recipe didn’t have to be the Grand Prize winner, submit any finalist recipes too!)

Why is this recipe one of your favorites?:

We can’t wait to see some of your #ThrowbackThursday recipe favorites and feature them each week here on the CCC blog!

Please follow the link below to view or print the recipe:

Baklava Bars