Utah State Fair yields some exceptional fare

Every year, home cooks test their culinary mettle in Utah State Fair cook-offs. Here are a few of the winning recipes:

Peanut Chocolate Pie

4 squares unsweetened baking chocolate

¼ cup butter

¼ cup packed brown sugar

¾ cup white sugar

½ cup milk

¼ cup light corn syrup (such as Karo brand)

¼ cup creamy peanut butter

1½ teaspoon vanilla

3 eggs

1 cup salted peanuts, coarsely chopped

Unbaked 9-inch pie crust

Melt chocolate and butter on double boiler, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Mix brown sugar, white sugar, milk, corn syrup and peanut butter in a bowl. Add eggs and vanilla.

Add chocolate/butter mixture. Pour into unbaked pie crust and bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes. — Christina Pehrson, Herriman, first place, Karo's Perfect Pie Contest

Kaitlynn's Carrot Cake

2 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

2¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

1½ cups white sugar

4 eggs

¾ cup canola oil

¾ cup natural applesauce

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 3/4 cups shredded carrots

1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple

3/4 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup flaked coconut