Stars of the show
Holiday cookie contest winners shine brightly
When all 85 entries in this year’s Holiday Cookie Contest had been sampled (and re-sampled), it came down to two things: flavor and originality. And that led us to our winner: Evergreen Fruit Bars, submitted by Avis Chmielewski. ❚ The “evergreen” in her fruity bar cookie, submitted in the Open Class category, came from rosemary — just a hint in in the crust, just enough to carry a strikingly similar aroma. Combined with an apricot-cranberry-ginger filling and streusel topping, this was one delicious cookie. ❚ So were the second-, third- and fourth-place winners. And many others among the original creations entered in four categories. ❚ Coconut, macadamia nuts, bananas, rum, lime and/or pineapple were typical ingredients in Tropical Christmas entries. ❚ Gingerbread-Inspired cookies combined the classic Old World flavor with everything from chocolate to orange, salted caramel, pistachios, cognac, peppermint, cranberries and snickerdoodle. ❚ Triple Play (requiring a filling and frosting) and Open Class yielded entries all over the flavor and ingredients map. ❚ As always, some unusual ingredients turned up: coconut curd, sea salt caramel chips, hot cocoa mix, banana chips, pistachio flour, ginger tea, bacon. Several cookies used browned butter. A couple had chile or cayenne. Two entrants tackled the labor-intensive macaron. ❚ Overall, this was quite possibly our most impressive group of entries ever. ❚ We know you’ll find at least one cookie here to love, and we hope you’ll find more. Happy baking to all!