Linda Beech’s love of baking began when  she was a young 4-H member in Saline County, Kansas. Foods and nutrition projects were a favorite, and besides gaining a wonderful lifestyle, Linda found her career.

With a degree in Home Economics from Kansas State University, Linda taught adult and youth foods, nutrition and consumer sciences for 39 years in five Kansas counties as a Kansas State Univ. County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.

“I love sharing my passion, knowledge and experience with youth to help them improve their baked products and learn to love the baking process. My home kitchen was the site for teaching baking to countless young people. As a county fair judge I could assess their entries and offer tips. Today Linda keeps sharing her baking expertise as a spokesperson for, and assistant at the Kansas Wheat Commission testing recipes for baking contests and recipe booklets.  Baking new and tried-and-true recipes is one of my favorite activities!”

Linda shares this purple-ribbon winner her daughter baked for 4-H. It’s become a long-standing family favorite we make for holidays, family gatherings and gifts. The bread is soft and tender and we love the cherries and almonds in the delicious filling.

Download Emily’s Cherry Almond Braid Recipe here!

The Home Baking Association demonstrates this braid shaping method here

NOTE: For a fair entry, it is not food-safe to use a cream-cheese filling as demonstrated on this video.  Use Emily’s Cherry Almond Braid recipe.

TIPS: 

• Find Linda’s Tips for Fair Baking Success posted at In the Kitchen Blog
• Access many more winning recipes tested by the Kansas Wheat Commission team at www.nationalfestivalofbreads.com and www.kswheat.com