No matter how you slice it, this month’s “Country Kitchen” comes up peanuts. From decadent candies and cookies to scrumptious pies and cakes, these recipes are sure to please the peanut lover in your family.

As winners of the 55th National Peanut Festival Recipe Contest, these delightful dishes feature peanuts, peanut butter or peanut oil. They were selected from more than 200 entries prepared by chefs ranging from 10 to 90 years old.

Our first recipe, Peanut Caramel Candy by Ann Fennell of Dothan, took top honors in the candy division, and was also the grand prize winner. Peanut Butter Haystacks submitted by Tonya Barton of Caryville, Fla., was the overall student winner and placed second in the cookies division. Other prize-winning creations this month include Raspberry Peanut Cheese Squares, Peanut Pumpkin Roll and Peanut Butter Cup Mega Pie.

While family and guests will go nuts about the taste of these treats, you also will be glad to know peanuts are an excellent source of important nutrients including vitamin E, magnesium and iron. Peanuts have even earned praise from March of Dimes for being high in folic acid–which has been proven to prevent birth defects. They’re also cholesterol free and low in saturated fat.

To enter next year’s Peanut Recipe Contest yourself, contact the National Peanut Festival at (334)793-4323. Entry forms will be available beginning in October.