The 2012 Cranberry Fest Cook-Off in Eagle River had some great competition this year.

At the cook-off, there were six categories in which to enter cranberry-inspired recipes: Breads/Muffins, Large Desserts (cakes, pies and tortes), Small Desserts (cookies, candies and snacks), Etcetera (appetizers, soups, beverages, jams, jellies, spreads), Meats/Main Dishes/Side Dishes, and Salads/Sauces/Jellos. There were more than 25 entries and the winners are as follows:

Breads/Muffins
1st place – Plus Size Double Cranberry Muffins – Jan Chistofferson, Eagle River
2nd place – Cranberry Orange Nut Bread – Kathie McGarry, Eagle River
3rd place – Mini Cran Muffins – Irene Johnson, Eagle River

Large Desserts (cakes, pies and tortes)
1st place – White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake – Barbara Baker, Rhinelander
2nd place – Lemon Cheesecake with Cranberry Filling – Irene Johnson, Eagle River
3rd place – Cranberry Pecan Coffeecake – Kathie McGarry, Eagle River

Small Desserts (cookies, candies and snacks)
1st place – Cranberry Pecan Seed Crackers and Cranberry Cheese Ball – Margie Ulrich, Eagle River
2nd place – Cranberry Gems – Jan Christofferson, Eagle River
3rd place – Cranberry Coconut Rice – Agatha Ulrich, Eagle River

Meats/Main Dishes/Side Dishes
1st place – Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes – Kathie McGarry, Eagle River
2nd place – Roasted Zucchini Boats – Agatha Ulrich, Eagle River
3rd place – Chicken Nuggets in French-Cran Sauce – Irene Johnson, Eagle River

Salads/Sauces/Jellos
1st place – Cranberry Gorgonzola Walnut Salad w/ Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing – Agatha Ulrich, Eagle River 2nd place – Wild Rice and Cranberry Salad – Irene Johnson, Eagle River
3rd place – Spinach Salad w/Hot Bacon Dressing – Kathie McGarry, Eagle River

Etcetera (appetizers, soups, beverages, jams, jellies and spreads)
1st place – Cranberry Chicken Puffs – Jan Christofferson, Eagle River
2nd place – Cranberry Bleu Cheese Spread – Janon Furlong, Eagle River
3rd place – Cool Salmon Canapes w/ Craisins – Irene Johnson, Eagle River

A cookbook of all the entries to this year’s Cranberry Fest Cook-Off, including the winning recipes, is available at the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce and at Cranberry Fest, which will be held Oct. 6-7, for $2 each.

For more information on the Cranberry Fest Cook-Off or Cranberry Fest, please contact the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce at 715-479-6400 or (800) 359-6315.