Carol Marsh’s State Fair apple pie

The State Fair is a holiday for Duluth baker Carol Marsh. Every year, she submits pies, breads, cookies, and cakes to be judged by the home economists at the Fair.

For the 2023 Minnesota State Fair, she submitted 12 items. One of them is a previous blue ribbon winner, her apple pie.

Her pie crust can be made ahead of time and frozen. She also precooks the filling so the pie does not shrink down while baking.

Her favorite apples to use are Granny Smith “because they’re tart and they don’t lose their shape.” She also threw in a couple Pink Lady and Gala. She stays away from apples like Red Delicious because they are too soft.

This year, her apple pie did not earn a blue ribbon. Her ginger cookies took second, her Peach Melba pie placed third, and her scones took fourth.