During National Apple Month in October, apple enthusiasts were invited to submit original recipes in the 2024 Cosmic Crisp Culinary Challenge. Receiving a record number of entries and a wide variety of dishes, Master Judge, noted baker and author Erin McDowell has chosen the grand prize winners in three categories: Baking, Snacking and Entertaining.

Grand prize winners will each receive a selection of premium kitchen essentials hand-picked by Erin McDowell valued over $900, two signed copies of her cookbooks and an exclusive online meet-and-greet. They will also be gifted Cosmic Crisp apples, branded merchandise and see their recipes showcased across the brand’s social media platforms and website.

The brand additionally named nine honorable mention recipe entrants, and lucky fans have also been chosen to receive special prize packs.

“The Culinary Challenge is one of our favorite campaigns because it highlights the incredible versatility of the Cosmic Crisp® apple,” says Kathryn Grandy, chief marketing officer for Proprietary Variety Management, the company who markets the apple brand. “And the timing of this year’s winner announcement is ideal with the holidays right around the corner.”

2024 Cosmic Crisp Culinary Challenge Grand Prize Winners

  • Snacking: Fiona Green – Recipe: Chai Couscous with Cosmic Crisp® Apples and Crunchy Pecans
  • Baking: Jinwah Lau – Recipe: Cosmic Crisp® Apple Ginger Mochi Bars
  • Entertaining: Veronica Callaghan – Recipe: Hot Honey Cosmic Apple Bacon Pizza

Honorable Mention Recipes

  • Snacking - Brenda Watts, Apply Wally Wedges
  • Snacking - Laurel Bocka, Savory Cosmic Crisp® Apple Puff Pastry Bites - Two Ways
  • Snacking - Amy Fossett, Apple Avocado Crostini
  • Baking - Jennie Strong, Cosmic Crisp® Apple Pie S'mores
  • Baking - Lauren Knott, Cosmic Crisp® Thousand Layer Ginger Apple Cake
  • Baking - Ace Holland, Caramel Apple Ricotta Cake
  • Entertaining - Linda Lyle, Waldorf Salad
  • Entertaining - Tina Christian, Cosmically Good Flatbread
  • Entertaining - Michaela Beggs, Cosmic Crisp® Appletini

The winning and honorable mention recipes can be found on the Cosmic Crisp website.