OREANDA-NEWS. January 9, 2013. Put on your best apron and compete to win USD 1 million in dough! The freshly redesigned 46th Pillsbury Bake-Off® Contest is now open for entries at www.BakeOff.com.

For the first time in the 64-year history of the nation’s premier cooking competition, America will vote from among entries selected by the Bake-Off® Kitchens to determine all 100 recipes to vie for the grand prize. Those 100 finalists will compete at the Bake-Off® Contest finals, November 10-12, 2013, at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

To give creative home cooks more chances to enter, the Bake-Off® Contest now features three recipe categories with separate entry periods. To encourage simpler, original recipes, submissions must include no more than seven ingredients, not including table salt, ground black pepper and water, and take 30 minutes or less to prepare, not including baking or cooling time.

“We’re excited to roll out changes to the ever-classic Pillsbury Bake-Off® Contest,” said Jann Atkins, Bake-Off® Kitchens Manager. “We know consumers crave recipes that are delicious, yet easy to make, so adding an ingredient limit allows us to provide inspiration for even the busiest families and novice cooks. And with voters selecting all 100 finalists, we hope to rally excitement and friendly competition across the country as people choose their favorites.”

Other sponsors of the 46th Bake-Off® Contest are The J.M. Smucker Company, GE Appliances and Green Giant.

Three Chances to Enter, Vote
Consumers can submit recipes during each of the three entry periods. Judges will select 60 recipes from each category for public voting at www.BakeOff.com. During the three voting periods, consumers who are 18 years of age or older as of March 14, 2013, can select their favorites in these categories:
Amazing Doable Dinners: Your family loves them, and you love to prepare them. These simple main dishes are true weeknight wows. Examples: pizzas, calzones, sandwiches, foldovers, casseroles, chilis, savory pies. This category is open now. Entry period runs from January 3 (Noon CST) to February 7 (11:59 p.m. CST), 2013. Voting is open from March 14 (Noon CST) to March 28 (11:59 p.m. CST), 2013.
Simple Sweets and Starters: These sweet treats and appetizers are the hit of any party. And even better, they’re a breeze to prepare, making entertaining easier than ever. Examples: cookies, bars, pies, tarts, bite-size appetizers, tartlets, pinwheels, puffs, bruschetta or focaccia. Entry period runs from April 4 (Noon CST) to May 9 (11:59 p.m. CST), 2013. Voting is open from June 13 (Noon CST) to June 27 (11:59 p.m. CST), 2013.
Quick Rise and Shine Breakfasts: These are the recipes that make mornings rock. Whether you’re hosting a casual brunch, fixing breakfast for the family or enjoying a lazy weekend morning, these dishes are the ones you turn to first. Examples: sweet rolls, pull-aparts, pastries, breakfast breads, egg dishes, breakfast sandwiches. Entry period runs from July 4 (Noon CST) to August 8, 2013 (11:59 p.m. CST). Voting is open from September 12 (Noon CST) to September 26 (11:59 p.m. CST), 2013.

Voters will determine 33 finalists each from the Amazing Doable Dinners and Quick Rise and Shine Breakfasts categories and 34 finalists from the Simple Sweets and Starters category. These 100 recipes will advance to the Bake-Off® Contest event in Las Vegas, where final judging will be conducted by a panel of food experts.