The Ellis County Fair is an annual showcase of accomplishments by local youth and adults. The most delicious category includes exhibits by members of the 4-H foods project. Over the next few weeks, I’ll share prize-winning recipes from our 4-H members.

Today, I’d like to treat you to two very different recipes, one for award-winning yeast rolls and another for a decadent triple-layer cake. I know you will find occasions to try both.

In the “breadbasket of the nation” it is only fitting that Kansas 4-H cooks learn to make top-quality yeast breads. Katie Weisenborn, of the Gemini Juniors 4-H Club, exhibited these delicious Crescent Rolls which were named the Best 4-H Bread at the Ellis County Fair.

Crescent Rolls
2 1/4 ounce package dry active yeast
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 cup warm water
½ cup sugar
1 cup milk, scalded (2 minutes in microwave)
3 eggs, beaten
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 teaspoon salt
7 cups flour

Dissolve yeast with 1 Tablespoon sugar in warm water. Let stand for 5 minutes. Mix butter, salt, milk and one-half cup sugar in large mixing bowl. Add 2 cups flour, mix well. Add yeast mixture and beaten eggs. Beat well. Add remaining flour, or enough to make a soft dough. Cover and let rest 20 minutes. Knead dough on lightly floured board and place in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise until double in bulk. Punch down and divide dough into thirds. Roll one third into a 12-inch diameter circle. Cut circle into 16 pie-shaped wedges. Roll up into crescent shapes, starting with the wide ends. Place crescent rolls on greased cookie sheet and let rise 1 hour, covered loosely with plastic wrap or tea towel. (Note: Leave plenty of room on sheets, these rolls need plenty of room. Do not crowd.) Repeat with remaining dough. Bake 10-12 minutes at 375 degrees or until golden brown.

Kaleigh Weber, of the Ellis Sunflowers 4-H Club, was named the junior champion winner on her delicious layer cake. This would be a tasty way to use up bananas that are getting dark.

Banana Nut Cake
2 1/3 cups flour
1 2/3 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups mashed bananas (about 3 medium)
2/3 cup shortening
2/3 cup buttermilk
3 eggs
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup finely chopped nuts

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour sheet cake pan or two 9-inch or three 8-inch round layer pans. Beat all ingredients in large mixer bowl on low speed, scraping bowl constantly, for 30 seconds. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Pour into pans. Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting, below.

Cream Cheese Frosting
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
½ cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all together. Add small amounts of milk if too thick.

Linda K. Beech is Ellis County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.