When a craving hits for fair food that is smoky, cheesy, bacon-wrapped, pasta-stuffed, and delightfully over the top, there’s a singular, irresistible solution: recreating the legendary Timber Twist. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience, a culinary adventure designed to satisfy the deepest desires for indulgent, carnival-inspired flavors right in your own backyard.
This magnificent culinary creation first captured attention while watching the “Best Ever Food Review Show” explore the most outrageous state fair foods across the country. Amidst a parade of unique and daring dishes, one item immediately stood out from the crowd: the Timber Twist from Giggle’s Campfire Grill at the renowned Minnesota State Fair. Its appearance on screen was so compelling, so outrageously good, that it simply couldn’t be ignored.
What made this particular fair food so unforgettable? It was the audacious combination of robust Italian sausage, creamy mozzarella, rich cream cheese, savory bacon, hearty pasta shells, and a generous slathering of barbecue sauce. This medley of flavors and textures sparked an instant inspiration – a burning desire to replicate this marvel at home. Even far away in Florida, where a crisp breeze might usually call for a more traditional comfort meal, the allure of the Timber Twist was undeniable. It promised a journey into the heart of fair food indulgence, a challenge that simply had to be met.
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Timber Twist Copycat Recipe: Your Guide to Fair Food Glory
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Recreating a fair food sensation like the Timber Twist from scratch offers a unique blend of challenge and reward. Since the original recipe wasn’t readily available, the adventure began with reverse-engineering based on visual cues and mentioned ingredients. The mission was clear: capture the essence of what was seen on screen, using Italian sausage, cream cheese, mozzarella, barbecue rub, manicotti shells, bacon, and a flavorful sauce. This straightforward approach, combined with the magic of a smoker and a dash of culinary creativity, promised a truly fun cooking experience, embodying the bold spirit of state fair cuisine.
Timber Twist Copycat Recipe
This Timber Twist Copy Cat Recipe takes Italian sausage, mozzarella, cream cheese, and barbecue seasoning and packs it all inside manicotti tubes before wrapping each one in bacon and smoking them until they are fully cooked and smoky. Through experimentation, we discovered that skipping an air crisp step results in a more desirable texture, as extra crisping can make the exterior too crunchy. Also, while a Japanese barbecue sauce was initially used, a more traditional barbecue sauce is recommended to avoid excessive saltiness and better complement the rich filling.
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Equipment
- Smoker
- Bowl
- Pot
- Colander
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ LB Italian sausage
- 8 Ounces cream cheese
- 2 Cups mozzarella cheese
- 4 Tablespoons DadRub 1.2 Barbecue Rub (Estimated)
- 1 Box Manicotti Shells
- 1 LB Thick Cut Hickory Smoked Bacon
- 1 Cup Barbecue Sauce (Estimated, use your favorite)
Dipping Sauce
- 4 Ounces Cream Cheese, softened
- 4 Ounces Sour Cream
Instructions
Prep the Filling
- Combine the sausage, cream cheese, mozzarella, and barbecue rub in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are fully combined, ensuring no pockets of unmixed cream cheese or cheese remain.
Prepare the Pasta
- Attempting to stuff raw manicotti shells can be challenging. For best results and ease of stuffing, par-cook the shells in boiling water for six minutes. They should remain firm but flexible enough to fill without breaking. Carefully stuff each shell completely with the prepared filling.
Wrap
- Carefully wrap each stuffed manicotti shell with a single slice of thick-cut hickory smoked bacon. For an extra layer of flavor, dust the wrapped shells lightly with more barbecue rub.
Smoke
- Fill your woodfire grill with your preferred pellets (we recommend pecan for a rich, smoky flavor), and don’t forget the ‘Dad Shake’ to evenly distribute them. Set your Woodfire Grill to SMOKER/275°F (135°C).
- Place the bacon-wrapped shells directly in the smoker and cook them for an initial 45 minutes, allowing the smoke to infuse deeply.
- After the first 45 minutes, brush each twist with your chosen barbecue sauce. Return them to the smoker for an additional 45 minutes, ensuring the internal temperature of the filling reaches a safe 165°F (74°C).
Finish
- Once cooked, brush the smoked twists lightly with a final coat of barbecue sauce and sprinkle with a touch more BBQ rub for garnish. Serve immediately and enjoy them as is, or with the optional creamy dipping sauce!
Video
Notes
For a truly exceptional barbecue rub, consider making your own with this recipe: https://dadgotthis.com/dad-rub-homemade-bbq-rub/
Nutrition
Calories: 5008kcal | Carbohydrates: 256g | Protein: 153g | Fat: 374g | Saturated Fat: 171g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 38g | Monounsaturated Fat: 130g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 887mg | Sodium: 8460mg | Potassium: 2472mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 116g | Vitamin A: 7598IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 1717mg | Iron: 9mg
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Why This Timber Twist Copycat Recipe is an Irresistible Culinary Adventure
This recipe truly stands out as a unique and exhilarating culinary endeavor because it takes beloved comfort ingredients and transforms them into something spectacularly over-the-top, perfectly embodying the spirit of classic fair food. Fair cuisine has long been celebrated for its audacious flavors, inventive presentations, and willingness to push boundaries, and the Timber Twist fits this tradition flawlessly. At its heart, the filling is a harmonious blend of savory Italian sausage, creamy cream cheese, and gooey mozzarella, all seasoned with a robust barbecue rub. While these components individually sound simple and delicious, their magic truly unfolds when they are meticulously stuffed into pasta shells, then tightly wrapped in crispy bacon. The result is an innovative and playful take on popular smoked appetizers like shotgun shells or Texas Twinkies, but with a distinct and appealing Italian flair from the manicotti. The moment these bacon-wrapped pasta creations hit the smoker, and the bacon begins to render and crisp around the shell, you instinctively know that something truly special and fun is about to emerge.
One of the most memorable and instructive moments in developing this recipe came from tackling the stubbornness of raw manicotti shells. Initially, the idea was to stuff them uncooked, a task that proved far more challenging than anticipated. Fingers were enlisted, then spoons, and every imaginable technique was attempted, but none yielded satisfactory results. The shells remained rigid and prone to tearing, leading to frustration and even a dropped shell that confirmed their unwieldy nature. It became abundantly clear that par-cooking was the only viable path forward. A brief six minutes in boiling water transformed the rigid shells into pliable vessels, still firm enough to hold their shape, yet flexible enough to be easily filled. This messy, trial-and-error phase is a crucial part of the story, as it perfectly encapsulates the unpredictable and often improvisational nature of fair food creation. It reminds us that achieving that perfect final flavor often involves a bit of culinary wrestling and a willingness to adapt, proving that not everything in the kitchen needs to be neat or precise.
The Ninja Woodfire Grill proved to be an invaluable tool in simplifying the smoking process and achieving the desired depth of flavor. Loading it with pecan pellets – and performing what we affectionately call the “Dad Shake” to ensure even distribution – and setting a steady temperature of 275°F (135°C) created an ideal smoking environment. The entire cooking process, lasting a total of one hour and thirty minutes, infused the pasta, sausage, and bacon with an incredible smoky aroma and flavor profile that truly elevated the dish. Upon tasting the finished product, a critical conclusion was reached: skipping the air crisp step, which some might be tempted to add for extra crunch, actually yields a superior texture. The added crisping time made the outer layer of bacon and pasta too crunchy, detracting from the overall balance. By sticking to a single, consistent smoking period, the structure remained intact, the sausage cooked perfectly through, and the bacon achieved that ideal, smoky-yet-tender texture.
Another significant discovery emerged during the taste test, particularly concerning the barbecue sauce. While an initially chosen Japanese barbecue sauce offered intriguing flavors, it was notably salty. Brushing it onto the already savory smoked twists, while adding a zesty punch, unfortunately concentrated the saltiness to an overpowering degree. This valuable insight highlighted the importance of selecting a barbecue sauce that harmonizes with the rich filling rather than competing with it. A more traditional, sweet-and-smoky barbecue sauce would undoubtedly complement the recipe better, maintaining a balanced flavor profile without overwhelming the delicate interplay of the pasta, sausage, and cheese. This iterative process of tasting, adjusting, and refining is the true beauty of crafting a fair food copycat recipe – it’s a journey of discovery that leads to culinary perfection.
The Distinctive Elements of This Timber Twist Copycat Recipe
This Timber Twist recipe delivers an unparalleled sensory experience due to its masterful layering of textures and flavors within a single, satisfying bite. The manicotti pasta shells, carefully par-cooked, retain just enough firmness to provide structural integrity, holding the decadent filling securely. Inside, the Italian sausage offers a robust, savory core, beautifully balanced by the rich cream cheese which lends a luxurious body, and the mozzarella that melts into a warm, gooey embrace. Encircling this heart is the bacon, which transforms during the smoking process, developing a smoky exterior that complements the soft interior. Each bite is a journey: it begins with an intense smoky flavor, transitions into a creamy, savory middle, and culminates with the lingering sweetness and tang of the barbecue sauce. This dynamic combination creates a complex and deeply satisfying profile that truly sets this dish apart.
During the initial tasting, the sheer warmth of the filling required a moment of caution, adding to the playful excitement of fair food. The pasta offered a slight, pleasant resistance, the Italian sausage asserted its savory presence, and the smoky essence permeated every component, from the bacon to the pasta and the rich cheese blend. Revisiting the choice of barbecue sauce further underscored its significant impact. The Japanese barbecue sauce, while interesting, proved to be too concentrated and delivered an unexpected level of saltiness despite its sweetness. This experience strongly suggested that a lighter, more traditional barbecue sauce would be ideal for future iterations, one that could enhance the smoky sweetness without overwhelming the intricate flavors of the filling. The goal is always balance, ensuring that each ingredient has its moment to shine without any single element dominating the palate.
Beyond the official taste testing, a spontaneous moment of culinary experimentation added another layer of delight to this recipe. A simple mixture of softened cream cheese and sour cream was introduced as a potential dipping sauce. This creamy accompaniment instantly created a smoother finish, adding a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the main dish. While not part of the original fair concept, this impromptu addition made perfect sense, enhancing the experience without altering the core identity of the Timber Twist. It’s a testament to how fair food often evolves, with small adjustments and creative additions transforming a good dish into something truly unforgettable and personalized. This adaptability allows for endless variations, inviting home cooks to make the recipe their own.
Another remarkable aspect of developing this copycat recipe was the reliance on intuition and culinary feel rather than rigid instructions. Lacking an official guide, every step – from determining the ideal cooking time and mastering the filling consistency to perfecting the bacon wrap and setting the smoker temperature – was a process of careful observation and educated guesswork. The method for wrapping the bacon around the manicotti, for instance, evolved naturally during the preparation. The decision to use thick-cut hickory smoked bacon, initially seeming a bit risky, ultimately contributed significantly to the dish’s robust character. The comparison between raw and par-cooked pasta shells was a crucial learning point, fueled by curiosity and the desire for the best possible outcome. These small, deliberate choices ultimately shaped the final product, imbuing each bite with a story of exploration and making the entire cooking journey as interesting as the delicious result.
Embrace the Fair Experience: Why This Copycat is a Must-Try
The Timber Twist Copycat Recipe is unequivocally worth making for one simple, compelling reason: it masterfully captures the unbridled fun and indulgent spirit of authentic fair food. The original dish draws thousands of eager fans to the Minnesota State Fair annually, and its popularity is easy to understand. It’s a bold combination of flavors and textures, presented in a unique and memorable way. The alluring blend of smoky bacon, savory sausage, rich cheese, and tender pasta perfectly encapsulates the sensory experience that always draws a crowd at any state fair. By recreating this culinary marvel in your own kitchen, you can savor that same exhilarating experience without the crowds, the travel, or the long lines, bringing the essence of the fair directly to your backyard gathering or family meal.
Despite the initial challenges, such as expertly stuffing the pasta shells and managing the optimal thickness of the bacon, the ultimate result is profoundly satisfying. The smoking process in the Woodfire grill imparts a beautiful, deep color, an irresistible flavor, and a captivating aroma to the twists. The interior remains delightfully creamy and rich, while the pasta diligently holds all the components together in perfect harmony. The barbecue sauce adds a final touch of glossy perfection and a burst of complementary sweetness. From the very first bite, it becomes abundantly clear why this recipe made such an unforgettable impression when it first debuted on screen. It’s more than just food; it’s a moment of culinary triumph that transports you straight to the heart of the fairgrounds.
Fair food is, by its very nature, meant to be an unpredictable and joyous indulgence, and this copycat version perfectly embodies that ethos. It embraces a certain level of delightful messiness and playful silliness, all while delivering an undeniably delicious flavor profile. This recipe effortlessly brings the authentic taste and vibrant experience of a bustling state fair booth right to your home. For anyone seeking a bold, exciting, and deeply satisfying dish that offers a break from the everyday, the Timber Twist Copycat is not just a recipe; it’s a new go-to, an adventure in flavor that promises to entertain and impress every time it’s served.
Ingredient and Equipment Links:
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