Group holds bake-off to celebrate Michigan's 176th birthday

(WXYZ) - Can you believe the Mitten is about to turn 176 years old?

The state of Michigan doesn’t look one Great Lakes' sunset over 150, but to celebrate the big day on January 26, one group is holding a contest that is bound to get your mouth watering.

The Awesome Mitten, a volunteer-ran organization that celebrates Michigan’s people and places, is hosting a bake-off competition.

Professionals and amateurs alike were encouraged to bake Michigan-themed desserts and submit them for a chance at prizes. The winner of the professional entry category will take home more than $1,000 in cash if their dessert garners the most likes on the Awesome Mitten’s Facebook page.

Voting for the contest is open until Friday.

If you’d like to submit an entry for the amateur competition, it’s not too late! They have extended the deadline until Saturday-- Michigan’s birthday. So, if you have a Michigan-themed dessert idea, pull out those oven mitts!

To enter, you can post a picture of your creation on their Facebook page or post a picture to Instagram using the hashtag #176YearsofAwesome. The winners will be announced on Sunday in three categories and will receive gift certificates to local businesses.

Founder of the Awesome Mitten, Alex Beaton, adds that she doesn’t want people to forget about the Upper Peninsula when creating their baked goods!

In addition to the bake-off contests, the Awesome Mitten is hosting tweetups across Michigan on Saturday to celebrate the state’s birthday. The tweetups will be held at local businesses-- and people attending are encouraged to bring hats and mittens to help benefit local charities.

The metro Detroit tweetup will be held at Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room in Macomb County from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information on the tweetups and the baking contests, go here: http://www.awesomemitten.com/