Let’s get (cinnamon) rolling!
Here’s the news release on the “Great Iowa Cinnamon Roll Challenge” of 2026 at the Iowa State Fair. Get this: Total prize money is $5,500, with the best single roll getting $2,000!
DES MOINES, IOWA — The Great Iowa Cinnamon Roll Challenge of 2026 is now set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Iowa State Fair here.
The event celebrates Chuck Offenburger’s decades of experience and pursuit of the best cinnamon roll in Iowa. (That’s me.) As the former Iowa Boy columnist for the Des Moines Register, Chuck traversed the state sampling cinnamon rolls and ranking his favorites in the “Roll Poll.”
In its fourth year, the 2026 Challenge now features three classes of competition — a new “Cinnamon Lollapalooza” category in addition to the “Traditional” and “Caramel” categories of past years. Winners receive cash awards in each of the three classes, as well as “Overall” cash prizes for the three rolls judged to be the best in the whole contest.
Oh, my! Somebody please enter another plate of these (from the 2025 contest)!
Total prize money is $5,500 — an all-time high for any cinnamon roll contest at the State Fair — with the roll judged to be the “Overall” champion winning $2,000 of that.
Sponsors of the contest are cinnamon roll lovers Jamie Buelt, Chuck Offenburger, Doug and Amy Moore, Drs. Dan and Andy McGuire, and one other person who contributes only as “Anonymous.”
“As sponsors, we seek to recognize culinary ability, while also attracting new competitors and youth participants to the fair,” Buelt said. “Special prizes are reserved for entrants who are 17 or younger and entrants who are entering the food contests at the Elwell Family Food Center for the first time in 2026.”
Participants who qualify in either of these categories should denote age or first-time entrant status on their submitted recipes, Buelt added. They should also sign the appropriate form at check-in for youth competitors or first-time entrants.
Contest entry forms should be filed by July 8. (Sorry for the late notice; so, hurry!) Go to the State Fair’s food contests entry portal by clicking on this link.
Also new this year, a special celebrity judge will be announced before the Fair.
How far and long have I driven for one of these!
Everyone who enters receives a package of Saigon cinnamon from AllSpice Culinarium.
Now, here are the rules for the three categories of rolls being judged:
Traditional Frosted Cinnamon Rolls
§ Cinnamon rolls must be scratch-made and include at a minimum flour, butter, yeast, sugar, and cinnamon. Mashed potatoes (but not mashed sweet potatoes) can be used in the Traditional class.
§ Submit four connected rolls on the plate of your choice.
§ Rolls must feature a cinnamon swirl and layers.
§ Recipe should make a dozen rolls, each at least 3 inches in diameter.
§ Provide complete recipe that details all ingredients as well as proving (rising) and baking times. Also, include frosting, icing and/or topping instructions.
§ Honey and other natural sweeteners can be used.
Judging Criteria: 60% taste, 20% structure including swirl, layers and softness of the dough without being raw or burned, 20% overall appearance.
Caramel Rolls (with or without pecans)
§ Caramel rolls (with or without pecans) must be scratch-made and include at a minimum flour, butter, yeast, sugar, and cinnamon. Mashed potatoes (but not mashed sweet potatoes) can be used in this category for the basic dough.
§ Submit four connected rolls on the plate of your choice.
§ Rolls must feature a cinnamon swirl and layers.
§ Recipe should make a dozen rolls with each being at least 3 inches in diameter.
§ Provide complete recipe that details all ingredients as well as proving (rising) and baking times. Also, provide the ingredients and instructions for caramel and any preparation of pecans if used.
§ Pecan is the only nut that can be featured in this category. If using other nuts, please enter in the “Lollapalooza” category.
§ Honey and other natural sweeteners can be used.
Judging Criteria: 60% taste, 20% structure including swirl, layers and softness of the dough without being raw or burned, 20% overall appearance.
Cinnamon Lollapalooza
§ Let your creativity sing in this category. Go nuts, get fruity, trot out the herbs, fry up some bacon or chorizo. Have fun, experiment and go wild with your Lollapalooza cinnamon roll that rocks convention and tickles taste buds.
§ Dough must rise regardless of base, which may include yeast, starter (discard), sweet levain, puff pastry or rough puff pastry.
§ Submit at least four rolls on the plate of your choice. They do not need to be connected in this category.
§ Cinnamon must be the prominent taste, even if other flavors are used.
§ You must have a cinnamon swirl.
§ Recipes can incorporate sweet and savory ingredients.
§ You can use any kind of nut in this class.
§ Provide a detailed recipe listing all ingredients and steps. Include proving (rising) and baking times as well as pan size and preparation.
§ Sugar, honey and any other natural sweeteners may be used.
Judging Criteria 60% taste, 20% overall appearance, 20% creativity.
If you have questions, please text or call Jamie Buelt at 360-961-0096.
Here’s the boss, Jamie Buelt, with some of the contest judges in the past.
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You can comment on this column below or write the columnist directly by email at chuck@offenburger.com.
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Chuck Offenburger writes as a member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative. Learn more about the group and consider becoming subscribers — for free or for modest fees, your choice — by using the link below here. Your support keeps them all writing for you!
Exciting! Can't wait for the food judging to begin!