The Stanislaus County Library Foundation is taking their Lemony Snicket benefit event to a whole new level — the baked kind.

In an effort to promote a Gallo Center for the Arts fundraising event for the Library Foundation featuring Daniel Handler, better known by his pen name Lemony Snicket, a lemony baking contest will be held at the Stanislaus County Fair.

County bakers of all ages and skill levels are invited to enter their best lemon dessert for judging on July 12 at the Stanislaus County Fair. All desserts are welcome, whether they are cakes, pies, bread, cookies, bars, brownies or cupcakes — as long as lemon is the key ingredient.

"We wanted to really make it inclusive to anyone who wanted to participate," said Susan Lilly, Stanislaus County Library communications manager. "We thought it'd be a fun contest for anyone and there are some really great amateur bakers out there."

Those looking to enter must complete a Lemony Bake Off entry form and submit it to StanislausReadsandWrites@scfl.lib.ca.us or return it to any Stanislaus County Library by July 9. Bake Off entries must be delivered to the Stanislaus County Fair Office between 4:30 and 5 p.m. on July 12. Judging will take place at 5:30 p.m. Winners will be announced upon completion of judging.

Entries must be made from scratch, or if a mix is used, it must include at least three additional ingredients not listed as part of the standard preparation. Entries must be full-size or at least: 8-inch pie, 8-inch square or round cake, 8-inch loaf for bread, 1 dozen cookies, bars, brownies, cupcakes, etc. Entries should be presented in disposable containers, as they will not be returned. The recipe must be included with the entry and it may be shared with the public.

The winning entry may be featured as the dessert for VIP ticket holders to the Library Foundation’s Nov. 16 Program with Daniel Handler (A.K.A. Lemony Snicket) at the Gallo Center for the Arts.

For complete contest rules and entry form, visit www.stanislauslibrary.org.