Maryland State Fair Baking Competition Guide: 2025

Hey guys, Michael here from Man-Made Pies. I’m a single dad in Baltimore, hailing from Stone Mountain, GA, where pecans are practically a food group. During the COVID lockdown, I got hooked on perfecting pecan pie—think spreadsheets, endless test bakes, and neighbors fighting over samples. My kids bailed after taste-test number ten (or thereabouts), but I kept at it. That grind paid off: my pecan pie scored 4th in 2023 and 1st in 2024 at the Maryland State Fair, with my blueberry pie grabbing 3rd in 2023 and 2nd last year! Those ribbons were killer, but the real thrill was seeing my dedication to perfecting the pecan pie pay off, and the whopping $14 dollar prize money! Whether you’re new to the kitchen or a fair regular, this guide covers the 2025 Maryland State Fair baking competition—dates, rules, and tips from my wins (and one salty loss) to help you dominate.

My Pie Journey: From Lockdown to Blue Ribbons

I’m no pro baker—just a guy with a standard Baltimore rowhome kitchen, a full-time job, and two teenagers who eat like champs. Lockdown gave me time to obsess over pecan pie, the South’s dessert MVP. I tweaked ingredients like a gearhead tuning an engine, handing out pies to neighbors for honest feedback. In 2023, I jumped into the Maryland State Fair blind. My pecan pie was a bit overcooked and cracked on top—aluminum pans bake hot—but it still snagged 4th. By 2024, I nailed it: 1st for pecan, 2nd for blueberry. That blueberry loss to a pie with cutesy star shaped cutout crusts? Total robbery. The fair’s a blast—carnival lights, fried Oreos, and a tent packed with bakers showing off. It’s your shot to flex, and I’m here to get you ready.

Key Dates and Entry Details

The 2025 baking competition runs over three weeks, each with its own categories and drop-off times. No pre-registration—just show up with your goods. Entries must be room temperature (warm pies get disqualified), and pies need disposable aluminum pans. Judges taste and score the next day, and your creations stay on display all week for fairgoers to check out. Swing by to see if you scored a ribbon. Here’s the rundown:

• First Week Baking Show (Classes M1–M60)

  • Entry Dates: Sunday, August 17, 2025 (2 PM–8 PM) or Monday, August 18, 2025 (9 AM–7 PM)

  • Categories: Teen baking (ages 6–12), cookies (brownies, macaroons, sugar cookies), layered dessert cups.

  • Awards: $5 (1st), $4 (2nd), $3 (3rd), $4 (4th); layered dessert cups (M16) up to $10 for 1st.

  • Note: Walk-ins welcome. Half cakes or loaves only, except for classes like M21, M60, M99.

• Second Week Baking Show (Classes M61–M99)

  • Entry Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025 (3 PM–8 PM)

  • Categories: Yeast breads (sourdough, challah), quick breads (banana, zucchini), pies (apple, peach, cherry, blueberry, pumpkin, pecan).

  • Awards: $8 (1st), $6 (2nd), $5 (3rd), $4 (4th).

  • Note: Whole pies in disposable aluminum pans. Drop off at Land Street Gate.

• Third Week Baking Show (Classes M100–M142)

  • Entry Date: Wednesday, September 3, 2025 (3 PM–8 PM)

  • Categories: Cakes (red velvet, Smith Island, cheesecake), candies (fudge, butter creams).

  • Awards: $8 (1st), $6 (2nd), $5 (3rd), $4 (4th); cheesecakes (M119) up to $10 for 1st.

  • Note: Half cakes, except cheesecakes (9-inch, half). Use Land Street Gate.

Ribbons and prize checks can be picked up during Home Arts release hours, which is Monday, September 8th, 2025 from 9AM to 7PM.

Key Requirements

• Amateur Only: Baking can’t be your day job. This is for home bakers like us.

• Room Temperature: Warm entries get tossed to ensure taste and safety.

• Containers: Pies in disposable aluminum pans; other items go into fair-supplied plastic containers for freshness.

• No Refrigeration: Only cheesecakes and dessert jars (M1–M2) get refrigerated.

• Restrictions: No condensed milk, sugar, salt, or glasses in classes like M21, M60, M99, M112, M141, M142. Unbaked cookies are out. Traditional pies (M90–M95) must be classic—no add-ins like bourbon or chocolate.

• Judging Criteria: Flavor, texture, appearance. Fresh ingredients are a must, and no commercial mixes (except M112 for cakes).

• Entry Limits: One entry per person per class. Label unique entries (e.g., “Classic Pecan Pie”) clearly on the tag.

Tips and Tricks from My 2024 Wins (and 2023 Lessons)

I’ve had ups and downs at the fair, and each batch taught me something. Here’s how to crush it and avoid my rookie mistakes:

• Nail the Crust: My 2024 pecan pie (M95) won with a flaky lard-butter crust. Weigh your fats (56g butter, 57g lard) for precision—eyeballing it’s a gamble. Chill dough twice: after mixing and after rolling. In 2023, my pecan pie was overcooked with a cracked top—aluminum pans bake hot. Check at 40 minutes to avoid that. Get my crust recipe at manmadepies.com/9-inch-pie-crusts.

• Keep It Classic: Traditional pies (M90–M95) don’t allow bourbon or chocolate. My pecan pie leaned on agave syrup and apple cider vinegar for a nutty-tangy kick. For blueberry (M93), a pinch of lemon zest kept it bright. Simple wins with judges. Try my blue-ribbon pecan recipe at manmadepies.com/classic-pecan-pie.

• Cool It Down: Bake the day before and cool overnight. Baltimore’s August humidity slows things down—use a fan. Warm pies get disqualified, no exceptions.

• Look Sharp: Judges love clean presentation. My pecan pie’s tight crimped edges and golden top scored big. For blueberry, I went lattice, but the winner’s cutout crust took 1st (still think I was robbed). A neat lattice or simple edge pops—just no cracks.

• Test Like a Pro: I baked a dozen test pies before 2024, perfecting my pecan with 1.5 cups pecans and ¾ cup agave. Start practicing now to dial in your recipe.

• Drop-Off Game Plan: No registration—just show up at the Home Arts tent or Land Street Gate. It’s a madhouse, so get there early and label tags clearly (e.g., “Classic Pecan, 9-inch”). Judges taste the next day, and pies stay on display all week. Check back to see your ribbon.

• Learn from Feedback: My 2023 pecan pie was overcooked because I didn’t adjust for aluminum pans. In 2024, my blueberry pie was solid, but those cutouts beat me. Use losses to tweak your game for next time.

• Master Aluminum Pans: They bake faster than glass, so practice with them. My 2023 pecan pie taught me to set the timer early and watch closely.

The winning 2023 blueberry pie used cut out stars for the topping.

Does this look like a winning pie to you with star shaped cut outs?

My lattice crust pie is top left in this pic.

Why You Should

Jump In

The Maryland State Fair baking competition is for any guy who loves a challenge—dads, gearheads, or pie-curious bros. I walked in my first time thinking I’d flop, but seeing my pies displayed for a week and snagging ribbons was a rush. Even if you don’t win, you’ll trade tips with bakers, scarf down fair crab cakes, and maybe get hooked. Baking’s like grilling a perfect steak—a craft, a project, and a chance to show off. My pecan pie recipe on manmadepies.com is your ticket to the tent—give it a shot.

Check out manmadepies.com/9-inch-pie-crusts for my crust recipe and manmadepies.com/classic-pecan-pie for my blue-ribbon pecan pie. Got a pie story or a baking hack? Drop it in the comments or hit me up on social media. Let’s make 2025 the year we own that pie table!