One of the keys to winning sweepstakes is to enter better odds sweepstakes. The more barriers to entry there are, the fewer people will enter, therefore increasing your odds.

What are barriers? For example, a contest that asks you to create an original recipe will halt most people in their tracks. So if you have a unique recipe, or one you’ve modified over time to make it your own, and it fits with the sponsor, enter it!!

In You Can’t Win If You Don’t Enter I shared an orange cake recipe from a vintage cookbook I had that garnered the winner a new range valued at $55. In How To Win Cash, Cars, Trips & More! I shared Gwen Beauchamp’s winning brownie recipe from the 43rd Pillsbury Bake-off.

For Prizes, Prizes, Everywhere! I wanted to include a winning recipe from Carol McLaughlin for her Picadillo Wraps from the 42nd Pillsbury Bake-off. I rang her to find out how she came up with the winning recipe, only to find out she wasn’t THAT Carol McLaughlin. We had a good laugh because she doesn’t even like half the ingredients used.

I scoured my files to see if I had anything else saved, and I came across this gem from Helene Hadsell. As I also maintain her legacy at Words For Winning, it seemed only appropriate to share her creation.

Here is an unedited excerpt from The Business of Sweepstakes chapter:

There are all types of contests you can enter: cooking, baking, woodworking, writing, and photography, to name just a few. These are great to enter because the number of entrants is usually quite low due to the extra “skill” work involved compared to sweepstakes (with the exception of the Annual Pillsbury Bake Off, which garners thousands of entries). If you have a particular hobby, skill, or talent, look for contests where you can not only enjoy what you are doing (e.g., taking photographs, writing poetry, or inventing new recipes), but you can also win cash and/or prizes doing it.

²²²

STORY: This recipe was created by Helene Hadsell for her daughter-in-law, Pheona Hadsell, to enter into a contest in 2004. Pheona doesn’t remember entering this giveaway and couldn’t offer any insight as to its origin, or if she even entered. As I am not a fan of frozen spinach or cold soups, I did not test this recipe before sharing, and it also appears the 1 Step seasoning is no longer available.

Pheona: I want you to win in McCormick. I have given it a lot of thought, and I figure one needs to do a far out recipe. Therefore, I am suggesting you submit the following recipe when you send off your others.

McCormick Yogurt Spinach Soup
Rich, Colorful served with Breadsticks

2 cups plain yogurt
10 oz. package frozen spinach
11/2 cups water
1 teaspoon McCormick 1 Step Chicken Lemon Herb seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon McCormick Pepper
1 teaspoon McCormick Dill Weed
1 tablespoon chopped chive

Put yogurt, spinach, and water in a blender, and blend. Add all remaining ingredients and blend thoroughly. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish with lemon slices. Makes 4 servings.

It’s worth a try, kid. Check to see if McCormick has pepper in their herbs and spices before you say it does.

²²²

Be aware that there is a difference between a contest that wants you to submit a story (e.g., why your mom is the best) and a sweepstakes’ no purchase entry option asking you to submit your entry along with a 25-250 word essay. The contest winner will be selected by a panel of judges, and the sweepstakes winner will be drawn at random. Therefore, even if you feel you don’t have the best creative writing skills and wouldn’t enter the contest, enter the sweepstakes, as your writing skills will not be judged.

RECOMMENDED READING: How to Win Lotteries, Sweepstakes, and Contests in the 21st Century (2nd Edition) by Steve Ledoux for Recipe Contests and his Top 6 Entry Tips.

In 2002, I won third place in the Super Bowl of Chili Cookoff hosted by The Toronto Sun. I haven’t won a recipe contest since, but I also rarely enter them.

Have you won a recipe contest? If so, what did you win?