Stow Baker Finalist in Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Recipe Contest

Holly Phillips' recipe for apple spice cupcakes with maple cream cheese frosting and candied walnuts was selected out of thousands of recipes as a finalists in a Betty Crocker gluten-free recipe contest.

Phillips is one of 10 recipes featured on the website right now. The recipe that receives the most online votes will be announced as the winner in November and will be the recipient of $5,000.

In addition to the cash prize, the grand prize winner will be given the chance to be featured on a Betty Crocker Gluten Free dessert mix or Bisquick Gluten Free baking mix package and/or be featured in a Betty Crocker publication. 

In addition to being gluten free, submitted recipes were judged on five key categories: taste, creativity, ease of preparation, consumer appeal and appearance, according to a press release from Betty Crocker. 

Phillips admits she's a little surprised about being a finalist. 

"I thought we had a pretty good cupcake, but there was no way to know [if I'd be a finalist] with over a 1,000 recipes submitted," she said. 

Holly began making gluten-free goodies out of necessity after she was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2005.

"It was a life-changing diagnosis, to say the least. I loved food, I loved baked goods, and I apparently loved gluten," Holly said.

Gluten-free bakery is hard to find, so Holly and her husband , decided. The store, Mrs. P's Gluten Free Bakery, is expected to be open in two to four weeks. 

The grand prize of $5,000 would be a big help in opening the business, said Holly. 

Voting ends Oct. 15.