12 Finalists Announced for Tribune’s 2025 Holiday Cookie Contest

The Tribune has unveiled the twelve finalists for its 2025 Holiday Cookie Contest following a competitive voting period. More than 1,800 readers participated, casting over 3,800 votes to select the recipes that will advance to the final round.

Among the finalists are a range of creative and festive cookie recipes. They include:

– **Mutty’s Holiday Hug Cookies** by **Carl Ioos** of Vernon Hills,
– **Apricot Squares Cookies** by **Gail Schneiderman** of Wilmette,
– **Cinnamon Pumpkin Pillow Cookies** by **Sarah McLoud** of Gurnee,
– **Cinnamon Sugar Cookies Decorated with Almond Royal Icing** by **Tracy McDonald** of Plano,
– **Pracny Inspired Nut Crescents** by **Janet Lapen** of Downers Grove,
– **Egg Nog Crème Brûlée Cookies** by **Lauren Wagner** of Joliet,
– **Decadent Almond Bars** by **Janet Malone** of Munster, Indiana,
– **Christmas Holiday Biscotti** by **Raymond Orsolini** of Villa Park,
– **Chocolate Surprise** by **Cathy Lenkaitis** of Peru,
– **Sharon’s Dark Chocolate Toffee Bars** by **Sharon McHugh** of Chicago,
– **Grandma Viola’s Christmas “Jewish Butter Cookies”** by **Jeff Hale** of Chicago, and
– **MMMM Cookies: Mom’s Mandelbread modified for Marty** by **Elyse Tish** of Glenview.

This week, Tribune staff members will be busy preparing these selected recipes. A panel of guest judges, including **Justin Lerias** of Del Sur, **Reema Patel** of Sarima Cafe, and **Asa Balanoff Naiditch** of Blame Butter, will taste each cookie and determine their top three favorites.

The winners will be announced both in print and online on **December 3, 2025**. For those interested in exploring all entries or seeking inspiration for their own holiday baking, copies of the Tribune’s cookbook, “Holiday Cookies, 2nd Edition,” are available at chicagotribune.com/holidaycookies.

In addition to cookie recipes, Tribune writers are dedicated to guiding readers toward remarkable culinary experiences, whether through big-screen entertainment or home streaming. Subscribers can sign up for the free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter to stay updated on the latest recommendations.