Family recipe helps cook become finalist

Brenda Watts Brenda Watts hopes to get out the cookie vote after being named a finalist in a Betty Crocker recipe contest sponsored by General Mills.

Her Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bar recipe is one of 15 finalists in this year's "Mix It Up With Betty! Cookie Mix Recipe" Contest. Each finalist will receive $500 cash and 1,000 Bonus Box Tops to support education projects at the school of their choice.

Local residents can help Watts win an online voting prize by viewing and then voting for her recipe at www.BettyCrocker.com/cookies. You can vote once a day until April 12. The finalist receiving the most votes will win another $500.

Originally called old Irish Putney bars, Watts entered the popular family recipe in the contest at the urging of her children Ryan and Angela. Both of her children graduated from Gaffney High School. Ryan is a Cherokee County Sheriff's Office deputy. Angela is a Limestone College student who is studying to become an elementary school teacher.

"My grandmother showed me the way. She is the reason I love baking and cooking. One of the recipes she passed down was an old recipe for Irish Putney bars," Watts said. "It was made with oat, flour and apples over the years. As technology has advanced, I have found using Betty Crocker cookie mixes has enabled me to simplify the recipe."

The recipe's name was changed for the contest from old Irish Putney bars to Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars so it would be easier to remember. It is still the same dessert that has been a popular hit with her family and friends for many years.

Watts will learn by April 19 whether she is the winner of the cookie recipe contest. The grand prize winner receives a check for $5,000 and 1,000 Bonus Box Tops to a selected school.

Recipes will be judged on taste and creativity.

While she waits to learn the results, Watts is thankful her entry was well received from judges and has advanced this far in the contest.

"My grandmother always dreamed of entering a baking contest. My family encouraged me to go ahead and try it," Watts said. " I appreciate the support I have received from the community. I'm just overwhelmed to be named a finalist. It's great to see a family cookie recipe get this far in the contest."