Regional Copycat Recipes for When You’re Missing Home

These copycat recipes taste just like your hometown favorites.

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Wisconsin: Kopp’s Frozen Custard

I think my most memorable summertime dessert for get-togethers has always been homemade ice cream. This recipe is so rich and creamy and the perfect indulgence on a hot summer afternoon. —Martha Self, Montgomery, Texas

Get Our Recipe for Old-Time Custard Ice Cream

1/20
2/20

Arizona: Fry Bread

Total Time 35 mins
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Crispy, doughy and totally delicious, this fry bread is fantastic with nearly any sweet or savory toppings you can think of. We love it with a little butter, a drizzle of honey and a squeeze of lemon. —Thelma Tyler, Dragoon, Arizona
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 124 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 234mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
3/20

California: In-N-Out’s Cheeseburger

Total Time 30 mins
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: When whipping up something for Father’s Day or the Fourth of July, I go big and tall with this fully loaded, juicy yumburger. —Chase Bailey, Costa Mesa, California
Nutrition Facts: 1 burger: 546 calories, 28g fat (10g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 976mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 31g protein.
4/20

Chicagoland: Portillo’s Chili Cheese Dog

Total Time 255 mins
Servings 10 servings
From the Recipe Creator: These deluxe chili dogs are a surefire hit at family functions and tailgates. Adults and children alike love the cheesy chili sauce, and the toppings are fun! —Marion Lowery, Medford, Oregon
Nutrition Facts: 1 chili dog: 450 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 1442mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein.

This year we’ve been making our favorite menu items at home—and now you can, too! These are the best copycat recipes of 2021.

5/20

Kentucky: Kern’s Kitchen Derby Pie

Total Time 75 mins
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: When my fiance first made this chocolate bourbon pecan pie for me, I declared it to be the best pie ever! Creamy chocolate combines with crunchy nuts in a great, gooey filling. —Tanya Taylor, Cary, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 676 calories, 35g fat (14g saturated fat), 108mg cholesterol, 490mg sodium, 89g carbohydrate (70g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein.
6/20

New Orleans: Cafe du Monde’s Beignets

Total Time 60 mins
Servings 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: These sweet French doughnuts are square instead of round and have no hole in the middle. This beignet recipe is a traditional part of breakfast in New Orleans. —Beth Dawson, Jackson, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts: 1 beignet: 108 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 146mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
7/20

Maine: Labadie’s Bakery’s Whoopie Pies

Servings 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: I’ve saved this jam-filled whoopie pie recipe for years after cutting it out of a newspaper. It’s one of my grandson’s personal favorites. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts: 1 whoopie pie: 186 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 148mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
8/20

Detroit: Detroit-Style Pizza

Total Time 45 mins
Servings 12 slices
From the Recipe Creator: Topped with pepperoni and melted, ooey-gooey cheese, this traditional Detroit-style pizza recipe is just what your pizza night needs. Don’t be surprised when it vanishes in seconds. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 255 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 564mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 12g protein.
9/20

Baltimore: Berger Cookies

Total Time 25 mins
Servings 35 cookies
From the Recipe Creator: After a friend who had recently traveled to Baltimore sent me a package of Berger cookies, I was hooked. They disappeared so quickly, I decided to try to re-create them at home. After many tests and tweaks, my husband and I gained 6 pounds between the two of us, but it was worth it—I landed on a reproduction of the famous cookie I’m so proud of. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 296 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 159mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.
10/20

Minneapolis: Juicy Lucy

Total Time 30 mins
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Tired of the same old ground beef burgers? This quick-fix alternative, with its creamy cheese filling, will wake up your taste buds. —Sherri Cox, Lucasville, Ohio
Nutrition Facts: 1 burger: 383 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 861mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein.
11/20

Montana: Wheat Montana Cinnamon Rolls

Total Time 55 mins
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: I like to try different fun fillings in these soft rolls, and each one is packed with cinnamon flavor. They are definitely worth the overnight wait. —Chris O’Connell, San Antonio, Texas
Nutrition Facts: 1 roll: 278 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 262mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
12/20

New York City: New York Bagels

Total Time 80 mins
Servings 1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Who has time to make from-scratch bagels? You do with this easy recipe from our Test Kitchen staff. The chewy golden bagels offer a hint of honey and are sure to impress the pickiest of palates. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts: 1 bagel: 265 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 303mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
13/20

North Carolina: Bojangles’ Fried Chicken

Total Time 35 mins
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Crispy, juicy and perfectly seasoned, this really is the best fried chicken recipe, ever. Summer reunions and neighborly gatherings will never be the same. When I was growing up, my parents had a farm, and every year, Dad would hire teenage boys to help by haying time. They looked forward to coming because they knew they would be treated to some of Mom’s deep fryer recipes, including this delicious fried chicken. —Lola Clifton, Vinton, Virginia
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 811 calories, 57g fat (9g saturated fat), 176mg cholesterol, 725mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 47g protein.
14/20

Cincinnati: Skyline's Chili

Total Time 125 mins
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Cinnamon and cocoa give a rich brown color to hearty Cincinnati chili. This dish will warm you up on a cold day. —Edith Joyce, Parkman, Ohio
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 421 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 443mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 11g fiber), 32g protein.
15/20

Philadelphia: Philly Cheesesteak

Total Time 20 mins
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This ultimate Philly cheesesteak recipe is a best-seller at Pat’s King of Steaks Restaurant. Patrons praise its thinly cut beef and crusty Italian rolls. —Frank Olivieri, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich (calculated without optional ingredeints or cheese): 714 calories, 49g fat (12g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 299mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 36g protein.
16/20

South Dakota: Kuchen

Total Time 75 mins
Servings 4 coffee cakes (8 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator: This German classic is such a part of our reunions, we designate a special place to serve it. Five generations flock to the “Kuchen Room” for this coffee cake. —Stephanie Schentzel, Northville, South Dakota
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 242 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 69mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
17/20

Texas: The Original Whataburger

Total Time 25 mins
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Go on a burger road trip in your own backyard. Grill the patties and load them sky-high. Peanut butter and bacon make them Southern style; coleslaw and tomatoes, a Northern version. —Susan Mahaney, New Hartford, New York
Nutrition Facts: 1 burger (calculated without toppings): 429 calories, 20g fat (6g saturated fat), 123mg cholesterol, 796mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein.
18/20

Virginia: Smithfield Country Ham

Total Time 30 mins
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: The browned potatoes give simple ham a tasty touch. Not only do the potatoes pick up the flavor of the ham, but they look beautiful! Just add veggies or a salad, and dinner’s done. —Helen Bridges, Washington, Virginia
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 261 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 1337mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein.
19/20

New Haven: Clam Pizza

Total Time 40 mins
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This appetizer is the perfect start to any meal. It’s always been a big hit with our family and friends. —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 268 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 716mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein.
20/20

Nebraska: Runza Sandwiches

Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: When I moved to Nebraska, I discovered many ethnic foods that I had never heard of before. A friend introduced me to this runza recipe, a German-Russian beef sandwich, and it quickly became a family favorite. —Dolly Croghan, Mead, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 433 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 524mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 23g protein.