February

February is the month for the 4-H Baking Contest. So pull out your and rolling pin and get ready to bake! Baking is really simple and easy. With proper techniques and the right recipe, you can have a first rate product. Judging criteria can be found on the back of this page

What you may bake: 5th graders: Cornmeal (3) 6th graders: (3) 7th graders: (1 small loaf) 8th graders: Chocolate Chip (3) 9th-12th graders: Bread (1 small loaf)

Suggestions to follow: 1. Bake the items yourself. 2. Read all instructions carefully. 3. Wash your hands before beginning. 4. Do not use mixes. Make your entries from scratch. 5. Bring your entries on a paper or plastic plate, wrapped up.

First place winners in local clubs will advance to the County competition held in early April. 4-H Baking Contest Judging Criteria 5th grade: (3) Corn Meal Muffins judged on:

Outside of Muffins: Inside of Muffins: Appearance: Uniformly golden brown, crisp, tender, Appearance: Tender, slightly moist-no doughy, small somewhat rough, slightly cracked. holes, loose crumb, crunchy crust. Shape: Depending on baking pan, slightly rounded top Color: Uniform and normal for ingredients (type of Volume: Almost twice the volume of the unbaked meal, amount of egg) with no dark spots, crust golden bread brown. Flavor: Pleasing; well-blended with no decided taste of

6th grade: (3) Biscuits judged on:

Outside of Biscuits: Inside of Biscuits: Color: Golden brown top, lighter sides Color: Creamy white, free from spots. Shape: Uniform, straight sides and level tops, twice Texture: Tender, slightly moist, light, flaky, medium size of unbaked . fine, even air cells.

7th grade: (1) Small Loaf - no mixes allowed - judged on:

Shape: slightly rounded top Crust: thin, tender, slight crack in top Volume: almost twice the volume of unbaked bread Texture: moist, medium fine, not crumbly, uniform holes, no tunnels Color: uniform and normal for ingredients used Flavor: pleasing, even distribution of nuts and fruits, well blended

NO MIXES ALLOWED - MUST BE MADE FROM SCRATCH

8th grade: (3) Chocolate Chip Cookies - made from scratch - judged on:

Appearance: uniform size, uniform shape, not pale or overly brown Texture: fine or medium-fine crumbs, pleasing texture Flavor and Aroma: pleasing blend of ingredients used, no rancid fat, soda or other off-flavor

9-12th grade: (1) Small Yeast Bread Loaf - no mixes allowed - judged on: Outside of Loaf: Inside of Loaf: Shape: slightly rounded top Color: uniform Crust: evenly brown, thin, tender, smooth Texture: elastic, soft, fine, not doughy, small grain, no large tunnels Volume: light in weight in proportion to size Flavor: pleasing, well blended, not to yeasty