2026 Bake Off: Red, White & Blue

Hey there, Creative Cooks & Baking Buddies!

Hold onto your aprons because this year’s Bake Off is bursting with Red, White, and Bluefun! 🇺🇸✨ We’ve got SIX thrilling categories to stir up your imagination—three for kids 13 and under and three for adults!

Few things bring people together quite like a bake off—a joyful contest where culinary skill, creativity, and a touch of friendly competition combine to fill the air with irresistible aromas and the spirit of community. OLD HALLOWELL DAY 2026 is to be held on Saturday, July 18th, and when the theme is “Red, White, and Blue,” it’s more than just a nod to patriotic hues; it’s a tapestry of flavor, color, and imagination. This bake off is divided into three exciting categories: sweets made with flour, sweets made without flour, and savory bits. Each category invites bakers to interpret the theme in their own way, whether through dazzling presentation, inventive recipes, or a celebration of classic tastes. It’s time to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday!!!

Categories and Culinary Inspiration

Sweets Made with Flour

The first category is a classic tribute to traditional baking. Flour is the canvas, and from it, bakers sculpt cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and pastries.

Sweets Made Without Flour

This category invites gluten-free bakers and those seeking alternative ingredients to shine. Whether using nut flours, coconut, or no flour at all, these desserts offer delicate textures and surprising flavors.

Savory Bits

Balancing out the sweetness, the third category provides savory morsels that celebrate the theme in inventive ways. Here, bakers tackle breads, tarts, and finger foods that incorporate red, white, and blue ingredients.

Judging Criteria and Awards

Judging will be based on the following criteria

• Creative use of red, white, and blue ingredients
• Flavor balance and originality
• Presentation and visual impact

So, dust off your mixing bowls, tie on those chef hats, and let’s sprinkle some creativity into the mix. Whether you’re a little chef or a seasoned pro, it’s time to show off your culinary magic!  Each winner gets an OLD HALLOWELL DAY BAKE OFF apron, and new this year, a engraved rolling pin from Hallowell Woodworks!!!🌟

Ready, Set, Bake!

Sponsored by Lady J's Attire & Event Planning and Hallowell Woodworks