Gillespie County Pecan Show and Bake-off set for Nov. 16 in Fredericksburg
AgriLife Extension invites pecan growers and bakers to enter annual competition
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host the annual Pecan Show and Bake-off on Nov. 16 at the AgriLife Extension office, 38 Business Court, Fredericksburg.
Complete rules for both the pecan show and bake-off are available by contacting Beth McMahon, AgriLife Extension agent for Gillespie County, at [email protected].
Pecan show
Pecan growers are encouraged to enter the pecan show at no cost by submitting 40-42 nuts of a single variety harvested from their own trees. Seedlings, known hybrids and native pecans may also be entered; however, these entries will be placed in their respective categories. The smallest pecan entries must include at least 1 pound of nuts.
Entries containing more than one variety of pecan will be disqualified. Growers who are unsure of their pecan variety are encouraged to bring their pecans to the office before the event so the variety can be identified. Exhibitors may enter only one entry per variety, except in the native, seedling and hybrid categories.
Pecans that have been altered in any way, including sanding, cutting or polishing, will be disqualified. All pecans must be from the 2026 crop.
Bake-off
Home bakers are invited to test their skills in a pecan-themed baking competition. The competition includes both adult and youth divisions. First-place prizes will be awarded, and an overall bake-off champion will also be recognized.
The first entry costs $5, and additional entries are free. The bake-off classes and required serving amounts are as follows:
- Pecan pie: two slices
- Pecan cookies/bars: half a dozen
- Pecan candy: six pieces
- Other: six pieces, two slices, or two cups
Items requiring refrigeration cannot be entered. Entries will be judged on flavor, appearance and number of pecans used in the recipe. Pecans used in recipes do not have to be grown by the exhibitor and may be purchased. Each recipe must contain at least half a cup of pecans.
Exhibitors may enter one item per class and must have prepared the item themselves. Entries should be displayed in disposable containers.
Important information
- Entries for the pecan show can be dropped off at the County Extension office starting Nov. 1.
- Bake-off entries can be dropped off from 7-10 a.m. on Nov. 16.
- Pecan show and bake-off judging begins at 10 a.m.
For questions, contact McMahon at 830-997-3452.
