The 2012 Art and Apples Festival Applie Pie and Apple Desert Contest in Rochester Municipal Park once again featured celebrity guest judges and, as usual, the most delicious desserts in Metro Detroit. Oakland County Moms will feature the winning recipes in the coming days in our recipe ssection.

2012 Art and Apples Festival celebrity guest judges included:

• Rochester Hills Mayor, Bryan K. Barnett
• WXYZ Channel 7 Anchor, Dave LewAllen
• Miss Oakland County, Shelby Gardiner
• Miss Oakland County Outstanding Teen, Vanessa Chambe
• Pastry Chef at the Royal Park Hotel, Mark Slessor
• Director Rochester Hills Public Library, Christine Hage

Families at the Art & Apples Festival got a sneak peek at the delectable apple pies and desserts before the judges began their quest to pick a winner.

Click here for a photo gallery of the 2012 Arts and Apples Festival in Rochester, Michigan.



Thirteen pies and eight desserts made for a powerfully sweet aroma not even the strongest breeze could break. The judges had no problem getting through samples of each pie and dessert.

2012 Art and Apples Recipe Contest Winners

Apple Dessert Contest Winners:

• 1st place - Diana Lenaway, Washington - Caramel Apple Cupcake
• 2nd place - Rani France, West Bloomfield - Upside-Down Cinnamon Apple Coffee Cake
• 3rd place - Bella Bennett, Rochester Hills - Apple Dapple Coffee Cake

Apple Pie Contest Winners:

• 1st place - Cynthia Zalewski, Rochester Hills -  Caramel Apple Pecan Pie
• 2nd place - Madeline Gilbert, Rochester Hills - Apple Pie with Crumb Topping
• 3rd place - Cheryl Zaranek, Rochester Hills - Back to Basics Apple Pie

Dave LewAllen returned as a judge after a few years off. When asked how this year's experience compared, LewAllen replied, "Well, it was just pies then. Now we have desserts as well. For me, that's all the better. And, I got to actually judge the desserts this year vs. pies. There are eight entries - a variety of things. It was really a tough choice."

This year's Art and Apples baking competition hosted one of the youngest competitors, 9 year-old Zach from Rochester Hills. Zach explained the inspiration behind his dessert creation, "My grandma made it for my mom, my mom made it for my dad, and now I'm making it for my whole family. I like to bake. It's my first time entering the competition." 

Click here for the 1st-place winning recipe from the 2012 Art and Apples Dessert contest.
Click here for the 2nd-place winning recipe from the 2012 Art and Apples Dessert contest.
Click here for the 1st-place winning recipe from the 2012 Art and Apples Pie Conest.
Click here for the 3rd-place winning recipe from the 2012 Art and Apples Pie Contest.
Click here for the winners of the 2011 Arts and Apples Pie and Dessert contest.
Click here for the 3rd-place winning recipe from 2011 Art and Apples Dessert contest.
Click here  for the 2nd-place winning recipe from the 2011 Art and Apples Dessert contest.
Click here  for the 1st-place winning recipe from 2011 Art and Apples Dessert contest.
Click here for a photo gallery of the 2011 Arts and Apples Festival.
Click here for the winners of the 2010 Arts and Apples Pie and Dessert contest.
Click here for the winners of the 2009 Arts and Apples Pie and Dessert contest.
Click here for the winning recipe from the 2010 Art and Apples Dessert contest.
Click here for the winning recipe from the 2010 Art and Apples Pie contest.
Click here for more info on Arts and Apples.