Chicago is embracing autumn, yet it’s time to launch the 40th annual Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest. Dust off your cherished holiday cookie recipes and compete for a spot among this year’s winners. Traditionally, either professional bakers or Tribune journalists have judged the contest. This year, former winners and finalists will evaluate entries, honoring past participant contributions.

Meet the Judges

Erin Traynor, a Lockport resident, has twice been a finalist. Her almond coffee cookies reached the baking stage in 2018, followed by her drunk uncle cookies in 2019. Living in a baking-rich environment, she developed a fondness for butter-based cookies, featuring nuts and fruits. Traynor treasures conventional holiday treats like gingerbread and sugar cookies, along with her “Orange You Glad It’s Christmas” cookies, inspired by chocolate orange flavors.

“Cookies that hold personal meaning and inspire the baker interest me the most,” Traynor expressed. She values family stories, finding the holiday season rich with them. Whimsical cookies also capture her admiration.

Alicia Andry, from the South Loop, secured second place in 2017 with cookies inspired by Thanksgiving pie, featuring sweet potato frosting. Her background in cooking is rooted in her family’s culinary expertise. Practicing pediatric physical therapy, Andry also sells cookies, emphasizing the joy and community spirit they can spread.

“Holiday cookies, new or old, unite people and share happiness,” Andry stated. She favors soft, chewy and buttery cookies, prioritizing flavor over appearance.

Also in 2017, Serena Daley and Maggie Dring combined s’mores with Rice Krispies Treats to capture third place. At 17 then, Daley had cultivated an interest in baking since her Easy Bake Oven days. Now involved in the candy industry, she appreciates traditional recipes with unique twists.

“Holiday cookies intrigue me due to every culture’s distinct recipes passed through generations,” Daley mentioned. She values originality and whimsical elements, reflecting personal identity in baked goods.

Daley cherishes the memories of her baking journey with a friend, emphasizing enjoyment in the process.

Participation Details

To enter the Tribune Cookie Contest, submit your recipe along with a 200-word description explaining its significance and a photo via the form provided. Ensure clarity and originality in your submission. The contest is geographically limited to Illinois, Lake County (Indiana) and Kenosha County (Wisconsin), with a minimum age of 13 to enter.

• Previous year’s winners and food professionals cannot enter.
• Review rules at chicagotribune.com/cookiecontestrules, along with terms of service and privacy guidelines.

The deadline for submissions is October 9 at 11:59 p.m. Voting opens on October 12 through October 23. Readers can vote daily for their preferred recipe to proceed to the taste-testing stage, ultimately leaving 12 recipes for guest judges to sample. A special “Joe Gray Save” may expand the finalist group.

Awards

Prizes include $250 for the first place, $150 for second place, and $50 for third. Winners will be announced on December 2, online and in print.

For inspiration, explore last year’s winners’ recipes or the food team’s favorite cookies around Chicago. Additionally, consider “Holiday Cookies, Second Edition,” showcasing winning recipes from past years.

Access the entry form below for the 2026 Holiday Cookie Contest.