Buttermilk spice cake takes home ‘Best of Show’ at 2024 New Mexico State Fair

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A winner has been named for the best cake made by an amateur baker in the state. The state fair cake contest judged the desserts on appearance, texture, taste, richness, and the use of fresh, quality ingredients.

From devil’s food cake to a simple carrot cake, Wednesday’s contest saw all variations of the dessert, but only one cake took home Best of Show. “In the cakes today, I did a buttermilk spice cake layer and I did a maple walnut chiffon,” said Viola Lavon Payne.

Payne said the contest is a great display of her love for baking. “Oh, I love baking. It’s relaxing. It just gives you joy. The memories, the love of baking,” said Payne.

There were 42 entries in total in 30 different cake categories.

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