Mini Beef Wellingtons with Smoked Gouda Dipping Sauce Takes the Grand Prize in Annual Contest, Showcasing the Power of Pillsbury in Holiday Baking
Pillsbury has once again cemented its place as a holiday baking staple, as the Pillsbury Doughboy joined forces with football mom Donna Kelce to co-host the 52nd Pillsbury Bake-Off™ Contest. This year’s competition, themed “Holiday Family Favorites,” brought together home bakers from across the nation, all vying for a chance to make their mark in the kitchen.
The grand-prize winner, Julie McIntire from Independence, Missouri, took top honors with her creative recipe for Mini Beef Wellingtons with Smoked Gouda Dipping Sauce. This innovative twist on a classic holiday dish wraps tender beef in Pillsbury Crescent Dough, creating a flaky, savory appetizer that’s sure to become a new holiday tradition in many households.
“I’m thrilled to have my recipe selected as the grand-prize winner,” said McIntire. “The use of Pillsbury dough made the process easy, and the result was a modern take on a holiday favorite that my family will surely enjoy for years to come.”
Runners-up also impressed the judges with their inventive takes on holiday classics. Kyla K.’s Cinnamon-Cardamom Crescent Twists and Robbin W.’s Caramel Apple Tiramisu both offered fresh, delicious spins on familiar seasonal flavors.
Families can find these winning recipes, along with many others for appetizers, entrees, and desserts, on Pillsbury.com/Bake-Off-Contest. These recipes are designed to inspire families to incorporate Pillsbury into their holiday traditions and create lasting memories together in the kitchen.
Among the recipes featured on the site is one of Kelce’s personal favorites—her family’s beloved Mama Kelce’s Dinner Rolls, which have been a staple in the Kelce household for years. The rolls are based on the recipe for Pillsbury’s Magic Marshmallow Crescent Puffs, which won the 1969 Pillsbury Bake-Off™ Contest.
Kelce, who understands the importance of family time during the holidays, shared her enthusiasm for this year’s contest and the creativity displayed by the home bakers. “The holidays are about being together and sharing meals with loved ones,” said Kelce. “For my family, that means recipes like my Mama Kelce Dinner Rolls, which start with Pillsbury. I loved seeing how others incorporated Pillsbury into their holiday creations, and I can’t wait to make Mini Beef Wellingtons a part of our tradition.”
McIntire’s winning recipe, Mini Beef Wellingtons with Smoked Gouda Dipping Sauce, was inspired by her family’s favorite spinach casserole, which they enjoyed during holiday gatherings. “I wanted to create something hearty enough for holiday meals and game-day celebrations,” McIntire explained. “Using Pillsbury dough made it easy to prepare and added a light, flaky texture that really elevated the dish.”
Pillsbury continues to be the go-to companion for holiday baking, offering everything from Pillsbury Crescent Dough to Grands! Cinnamon Rolls and Grands! Biscuits, making it simple to create delicious meals and treats with minimal prep. The brand is committed to helping families create meaningful moments through baking, a sentiment echoed by Gini Mines, Senior Manager of Pillsbury Brand Experience.
“Baking with Pillsbury is more than just a way to prepare food; it’s an experience that brings families together,” said Mines. “The winning recipes from this year’s Pillsbury Bake-Off™ Contest are a perfect example of how Pillsbury continues to inspire creativity and help families make the most of their time together during the holiday season.”
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