Don’t think you need to be a seasoned baker to enter the 23rd annual Minnesota Star Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest.
Case in point: One of last year’s finalist was developed by 9-year-old Abe Smith of Maplewood (with help from mom Mia Wintheiser). His recipe for Malt-O-Mazing Holiday Cookies won over the judges.
He was one of a handful of youth bakers who entered last year’s contest, adding a fun element (and lots of sprinkles) to the mix.
Ultimately, the 2024 winning cookie was Elf Thumbprints, created by Heather Pfeiffer of Chaska. This year your recipe could join the winners’ circle — and make this contest the sweetest one yet.
The rules: There aren’t many, but they are important. We love original recipes, but if you’ve encountered a new-to-you recipe in a cookbook, newspaper, magazine, website or other source that you’ve adopted and made your own, feel free to submit it. Just be sure to note its origin.
The recipe: The purpose of the contest is to provide Star Tribune readers with new gotta-bake recipes. Please do not submit spritz, chocolate crinkles, sugar cookie cutouts, Russian tea cakes and other tried-and-true favorites. We’ve seen them all, and everyone has their favorite. Consider this your challenge to be creative.
How to submit: All entries must include the recipe — and the story behind it — along with your name, street address, daytime phone number and email address. If submitting via email, include “Star Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest” in the subject line and send it to cookies@startribune.com. Please include all text in the body of the email, not as an attachment. Photos are extremely helpful, but not required.
If using U.S. mail, send to Minnesota Star Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest, Star Tribune, 650 3rd Av. S., Suite 1300, Minneapolis, MN 55488. All snail mail entries must be postmarked by Friday, Oct. 10, to reach us in time.
Dining and Cooking