Staff writer Heidi Kim reviews three award-winning favorite desserts at the State Fair of Texas.

Fried Coke (2 out of 5 stars)

While I wasn’t sure what to expect from this award-winning dessert, the result was not quite what I expected. Many are left confused as they try to comprehend how the State Fair manages to fry a beverage, but it is quite simple: they just flavor the batter that they fry. Eating this dessert was similar to eating a bunch of warm donuts with a hint of coke flavor, topped with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a cherry. Although this may sound quite appetizing, overall this dish was underwhelming. The taste itself was decent, but there was very minimal coke flavor in the batter, so it felt more like I was just eating donuts covered in cream. Overall, it was not a bad choice, but it would not be one of my top recommendations.

Fried Cookie Dough (3.5 out of 5 stars)

To many consumers, this dessert sounds almost automatically intriguing. Cookie dough is already delicious on its own, but imagine it being thrown into the frier. Although the dessert was enjoyable, it was not as tasty as I was hoping it would be. When you order the dessert, it comes with three fried balls of cookie dough dusted in powdered sugar and drizzled with chocolate syrup. It was a nice snack to share with friends and had a decent balance of sweetness, so I would definitely recommend picking up an order. But disclaimer, if you aren’t a big fan of sweets, I would not eat all three by yourself!

Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly with Banana (5 out of 5 stars)

Peanut Butter and Jelly. Classic. Simple. Delectable. How could you make it better? Two words: fry it. That’s essentially the State Fair’s motto when it comes to food. Now although I admit that this dessert seems a bit eclectic at first glance, if you actually give it a chance, it’s definitely worth it. One order of this treat comes with four half slices dusted with powdered sugar, which is plenty for even two people. When you bite into a slice, you hear that satisfying crunch of the batter as you taste the balanced medley of peanut butter and jelly. This dish provides all the best flavors of a great peanut butter and jelly sandwich but in a nice, golden crust that will definitely satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.