Last night was huge for Cooking Contest Central members competing in the 47th Pillsbury Bake-Off in Nashville!

In fact, CCC won 7 out of 8 of the “special” awards.  Also, one of our members is a category winner and in the running for the $1,000,000 grand prize!

Right now is the time to rally around CCC member Beth Royals and vote for her “Peanutty Pie Crust Clusters!”

She won the “Sweet Treats” category and now is one of 4 lucky finalists up for the grand prize.

Let’s make our girl the next $1,000,000 Pillsbury BakeOff winner!!!  

Follow this link to vote today:  http://www.pillsbury.com/vote?sf5578049=1

(A Facebook account is necessary to vote.  Each person can vote only once from now through December 2nd.)

Beth’s recipe is incredibly creative and innovative.  Just when you thought nothing new could be done with a Pillsbury pie crust, Beth breaks the mold!

First, the pie crust is cut into bite-sized squares and baked in the oven.  Then white baking chips, Jif peanut butter and Crisco shortening is melted in the microwave.  The pie crust squares, along with peanuts and toffee bits are tossed with this melted ooey-gooey goodness.  The clusters are dropped on a baking sheet and refrigerated until set.

Doesn’t that sound heavenly?!  I am getting the ingredients today to whip up a batch!

CCC absolutely dominated the special awards this year.  Look at all these mouth-watering recipes!   We are all so proud of you!

JIF Award

Brenda Watts “Macaroon-Peanut Butter-Chocolate Tartlets”

Eagle Brand Award

Barbara Eastbrook “Peanut and Pretzel-Peanut Butter Thumbprints”

Crisco is Cooking Award

Greg Fontenot “Grilled Potato and Roasted Salsa Verde Pizza”

Clever Twist Award

Marie Valdes “Spinach Dip-Stuffed Garlic Rolls“

Reynolds Award

Elizabeth Bennett “Chocolate Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels“

Gluten-Free Award

Merry Graham “Herbs and Seeds Parmesan Crackers“

Watkins Vanilla Award

Antoinette Leal “Very Vanilla Lemon Tarts“

To all of our 42 members who competed yesterday, we are all so proud of you!  Just becoming one of the 100 finalists is an unbelievable accomplishment.

I love this moment caught between our friends Laurie Lufkin and Elizabeth Bennett as they marched to the contest floor.  Their smiles say it all!

Here is our friend Joanne McGhee of Dothan, giving the doughboy a squeeze.  In a bit of interesting news, there won’t be a contest in 2015.  Word on the street is that they are regrouping and planning for 2016.  It’s never too early to start brainstorming!

In the meantime, please cast your vote for fellow CCC member Beth Royals!   The $1,000,000 Grand Prize winner will be announced on The Chew on December 3rd!  Go Beth!!!