One of the finalists in this year's contest is this dish called Texas Poke Cake. It's a Texas-shaped, pumpkin cake with a gooey vanilla glaze, caramel, topped with fluffy whipped cream and lightly sprinkled with "secret" spice.
More than 40 different foods entered the State Fair of Texas' annual Big Tex Choice Awards, but only three can win.
From duck dumplings to fried coffee cake, the 10 finalists for the 17th Big Tex Choice Awards offer a picture of the state — and a little something for everyone's taste buds.
Judges will choose the best savory and the best sweet dish. There will also be an award for the most creative entry.
The tangy selections include fried seafood gumbo balls, crispy crazy corn and the deep fried I-35 — a fried kolache topped with smoked brisket and a Dr. Pepper BBQ glaze.
On the sweeter side, finalists include brisket brittle, Texas pumpkin poke cake and the armadillo — a cookie butter ice cream sandwich.
A panel of celebrity judges will award the best dishes based on on creativity, presentation and taste. The winners will be crowned Aug. 29.
Here's a look at the 10 finalists:
Deep-Fried Halloween, Isaac Rousso
State Fair of Texas®
This trick-or-treat experience starts with a chewy pretzel that's deep fried and bathed it in candy corn syrup, followed by rainbow sprinkles and powdered sugar. Then it's piped with orange and white buttercream frosting and stacked with some favorite Halloween candies. Finished with a marshmallow whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate and caramel sauce.
Crispy Crazy Corn, Ruth Hauntz
State Fair of Texas®
Sweet whole kernel corn is individually battered, fried and dashed with a "secret seasoning." These crispy gold nuggets are then topped with slowed-smoked pulled pork, a tangy pineapple slaw, a drizzle of freshly made jalapeño crema and a generous sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
The Armadillo, James Barrera
State Fair of Texas®
A cookie butter ice cream sandwich with made-from-scratch cookie butter semifreddo – an Italian take on ice cream. The treat is drizzled with cookie butter and sandwiched between two deep fried Armadillo-shaped cookies that are made with a branding iron. Finally, it is dusted with buttery sugar.
Pork Shots, Glen & Sherri Kusak At Hans Mueller
State Fair of Texas®
This fair food starts with smoked sausage wrapped with with hickory smoked bacon and filled with creamy mac and cheese. It's then sprinkled with a "secret, sweet and spicy" BBQ rub.
Brisket Brittle, Ruth Hauntz
State Fair of Texas®
The buttery, crunchy, sweetness of old-fashion peanut brittle — but replace the peanuts with smoky Texas brisket. This sweet yet savory treat finishes with a hint of heat.
Lucky Duck Dumplin, Bert Concessions
State Fair of Texas®
A pastry filled with cream cheese, blended with duck bacon and delicately roasted sweet corn, with a sprinkling of herbs and spices, then they're deep fried until golden-brown and crispy. Three Lucky Duck Dumplins are served alongside a "sweet and gently spicy" Thai chili glaze.
Fernie’s Fried Toffee Coffee Crunch Cake, Winter Family Concessions
Dick Patrick
Lightly glazed, old fashioned cake donuts broken into chunks and mixed with buttery baking morsels, English toffee, crunchy almonds and a custard. The cakes are dipped in an egg product and covered in panko and vanilla cookie crumbs, then fried to a golden brown. It's served with powdered sugar, toffee bits and a dollop of mocha coffee whipped cream.
Deep Fried Seafood Gumbo Balls, Gourmet Royale
State Fair of Texas®
Using a family recipe that has been handed down four generations, the balls are loaded with Gulf Coast shrimp, stewed chicken, blue crab meat and andouille sausage. Then they're rolled in a saltine cracker and breadcrumb batter and fried. Served with a side of dark gumbo roux sauce for dipping and topped with chicken fried okra spears.
Texas Pumpkin Poke Cake, Michelle Edwards
State Fair of Texas®
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State Fair of Texas®
A Texas-shaped, pumpkin cake with a gooey vanilla glaze, caramel, topped with fluffy whipped cream and lightly sprinkled with secret spice.
Deep Fried I-35, Clint and Gretchen Probst
State Fair of Texas®
Kolache dough is fried and topped with smoked beef brisket and a homemade BBQ glaze made with peach juice and Dr. Pepper. It's garnished with sliced peaches and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
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Rebekah Morr is KERA's All Things Considered newscaster and producer. She came to KERA from NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C., where she worked as a news assistant at Weekend All Things Considered.