Winning Pa. Farm Show 2026 apple pie is 'irresistible'

The Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest was held Jan. 10 at the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

An irresistible apple pie recipe won the blue ribbon Saturday at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Lorrie Rauch of Lehigh County took home the top $500 prize in the Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest with her Irresistible Apple Pie.

Rauch’s recipe for a double-crusted pie calls for Cortland apples, cinnamon and lemon juice.

Pies are judged on a number of factors including filling consistency, crust, overall appearance and creativity.

Baking contests are an annual tradition during the Farm Show, which runs through Jan. 17 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg.

The Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest was held Jan. 10 at the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Along with apple pies, judges scrutinize chocolate cakes, cookies and bars and angel food cakes.

Contestants compete at county and community fairs on the statewide level to become eligible to compete at the Farm Show.

Here’s Rauch’s winning recipe:

Irresistible Apple Pie

Pie Crust:

The Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest was held Jan. 10 at the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

4 cups flour

1 egg, beaten

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

The Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest was held Jan. 10 at the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

The Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest was held Jan. 10 at the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

1/2 cup water

The Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest was held Jan. 10 at the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

1 1/2 cups lard such as Butter Flavored Crisco

In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar and salt. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut in lard until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix together egg, vinegar and water. Add flour mixture. Mix until dough is moistened enough so it holds together. When it is chilled, roll dough on a lightly floured surface.

The Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest was held Jan. 10 at the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Apple filling:

The Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest was held Jan. 10 at the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

9 cups of peeled and thinly sliced baking apples (prefer Cortland)

1 cup sugar

4 tablespoons pie filling enhancer (thickener)

The Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest was held Jan. 10 at the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

1 teaspoon cinnamon

The Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest was held Jan. 10 at the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

1/3 cup boiled apple cider

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Toss apples with lemon juice. Add sugar, pie enhancer, cinnamon, boiled apple cider and butter. Mix gently.

The Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest was held Jan. 10 at the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Place apple filling inside pie crust. Use the remaining dough to form a top crust. Wet the top of the pastry with milk and sprinkle with gourmet coarse white sugar.

Cover top of pie with foil and bake in 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. Turn heat down to 350 degrees and bake pie for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until golden brown.