Contest: Enter the Great Patch Christmas Cookie Bake-off
Do you craft the most perfect Christmas cookie in town? Do your family and friends drool at the sight of your sugary creations? Enter your cookie in Patch's contest for a chance at a $100 gift card and other sweet prizes.
Thank you for your entries. The contest is now closed. We will reveal the winner Monday, Dec. 24.
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Holiday eats just aren't the same without some sweet treats—and you're known to whip up some of the best around.
You're the Christmas Cookie Queen, the Host with the Most in Oven Mitts, the guest at the top of everyone's list. Sure, they like your company. But they really love your cookies.
Patch wants you to brag about your baking prowess. We're asking readers to submit their fabulous holiday cookies into our Chicago-region contest taking place from Nov. 21 to Dec. 19.
Here's how it works.
- We know you need your kitchen, so bake your cookies at home.
- Snap a quick photo of the baking process, and one of the final product.
- Upload your photos to this article. Be sure to include your name, hometown and the type of cookie. Please limit it to 1 recipe per entry.
The entries will be judged in a taste test among Patch editors and volunteers. We'll set the time and place, you bring the cookies and Patch will bring the milk. The taste test will take place between Dec. 19 and Dec. 24.
The winning entrant will receive a $100 gift card from sponsor and baking supply company Wilton, for use at their Darien store.
And now, for the rest of the rules.
- Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.
- All entries must be received by 9 p.m., Dec. 19.
- One (1) grand prize winner will be selected by a panel of Patch editors and volunteer taste-testers. The grand prize winner will receive a $100 gift card to Wilton Homewares. Two runners-up will receive Patch goodies, and each participant will receive a Patch T-shirt.
- If you crave more legalese, read our Complete Official Rules.
In This article
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Wilton Industries
2240 75th St # 1b, Woodridge, IL -
Wilton Homewares
7511 Lemont Rd, Darien, IL
Angel Bernahl
10:13 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
How are the cookies going to stay fresh? Unless you freeze then but that changes the flavor
Lauren Traut
11:32 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Hi there, Angel.
GREAT question. Our thought was you might be making one batch prior to the 19th (perhaps a "practice" batch?) and that later, you'd make another to bring to the taste test.
Up to you on that one, though. If you need help polishing off the extra cookies, I bet some Patch readers might volunteer. :)
Jerry
10:37 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
It's a five day window for the taste test...between the 19th and 24th. In an air tight container just about any cookie will stay fresh for that period of time. If you're that worried about it, make a batch for the pictures and entry then another batch for the taste testing.
market better
7:26 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Not a very good promotion. You should team up with a food shelter and have the taste test there and give the rest of the cookies as a donation. That way a winner wins but so does a lot more people.
Lauren Traut
7:41 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Hi, Market.
We haven't decided where we'll have the taste test yet, but I really like that idea. Perhaps we'll look into it. It's definitely a possibility.
Thanks for the input!
Lauren Traut,
Associate Regional Editor
market better
7:55 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
No problem Lauren
Colleen
7:18 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
How many different cookie's are we allowed to enter?
Lauren Traut
11:51 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
Great question, Colleen! One recipe per person.
Looking forward to your entry! :)
Lauren Traut,
Associate Regional Editor
Patti Arnish
7:11 am on Saturday, November 24, 2012
I love the idea of teaming up with a local pantry or shelter and donating the cookies!
Lauren Traut
9:46 am on Saturday, November 24, 2012
Us too, Patti!
Mike S.
12:37 pm on Saturday, November 24, 2012
Yes, that idea of a combo fund raiser with the local pantry is a win win situation. Is it too late to modify the 2012 contest?
Lauren Traut
9:55 am on Monday, November 26, 2012
Hi, Mike!
We haven't chosen a location yet for the taste test, so it's not too late! I'll discuss it with my fellow Patchers and we'll update the article as soon as the location is confirmed.
Thanks!
Lauren
Mike S.
2:49 pm on Saturday, November 24, 2012
Also, may I sign up as a volunteer cookie tasting judge?
sonia dewolf
9:34 am on Monday, November 26, 2012
Got the winning recipe :-) posting pic and recipe soon
Lauren Traut
9:55 am on Monday, November 26, 2012
CAN'T WAIT TO SEE!
M. Rodriguez
8:52 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
The Kendall County Food Pantry is wonderful organization. Also, do the cookies have to be cut out, themed, sugar cookies or can they be family favorites that are served only during the holidays but are not fun, decorated cookies? Thank you
Lauren Traut
12:47 am on Thursday, November 29, 2012
Hey there, Rachel!
If it's a cookie, and you make it for your family during the holidays, and it's scrumptious, we want to see (and eventually, taste)!
AND thank you for the suggestion. We'll work on this.
Lauren Traut,
Associate Regional Editor
Lea Anne Stoughton
9:20 am on Thursday, November 29, 2012
Do you want the recipe too, or just the photos with our name, hometown and cookie type?
Lauren Traut
1:54 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
We don't need the recipe at this point! Thanks, Lea Anne. :)
Ashley Cosentino
5:08 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
Will you contact us with where and when to bring the cookies?
Lauren Traut
9:03 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
Sure will, Ashley. We'll work on finalizing those details this week and we'll update the article and contact entrants.
Tami Solner
11:50 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Does fudge count?
Lauren Traut
7:53 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
Sure, Tami! Fudge counts!
Jen Miller
7:48 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
I have one that's more of a bar than a cookie, does that qualify for the contest? If not, I have plenty of potentially award winning cookies!
Lauren Traut
7:54 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
I think a bar can work, Jen. BUT I am quite intrigued by these "potentially award-winning cookies!"
Lauren Traut,
Associate Regional Editor
Jen Miller
8:07 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
The bars are a winner too!! :) I'll have to force my husband to help me decide which cookie to enter (with a taste test of course)...poor him, right?
Lauren Traut
8:52 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
What a mean wife. :)
Beth
9:21 am on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
WOW...these cookies look great!! Any chance on posting some of these recipes...or are they family secrets? :)
Lauren Traut
1:32 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Hello, folks! I'm happy to announce that we've chosen a recipient for the leftover cookies.
All leftover cookies will be donated to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, a children's charity dedicated to providing a solution for at-risk children in Chicago.
We'll drop the cookies off at the home, and kids will receive them with dinners around Christmastime. We're pleased to gift the kiddos with some sweet treats. :)
Thanks!
Lauren Traut,
Associate Regional Editor
Kendra k
5:36 pm on Friday, December 14, 2012
Silly ? Can we bring extra cookies, not necessarily the one were entering, for you guys to bring for the kids?
Lauren Traut
6:18 pm on Friday, December 14, 2012
Kendra, that would be amazing. You just made me tear up. :) I'm sure the kids would LOVE that.
sonia dewolf
2:15 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012
That's a really wonderful idea :-) they are going to love the winning turtle cookies I make :-) lol
Kendra k
5:07 pm on Friday, December 14, 2012
I uploaded my photos with my name, town, and type of goodie. Is that all I have to do to enter?
Lauren Traut
5:09 pm on Friday, December 14, 2012
Yes ma'am! You're all set! :)
Melissa Guido
3:54 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
Is there any update on the taste testing? I don't mean to be a hassle, but working retail during the holiday can be tricky and I want to be able to bring my bar cookies! Also, is there a chosen location?
Thank you!
Lauren Traut
4:21 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
Hello, all!
I'll be emailing all entrants in a moment, but for the sake of expediency:
Taste test details:
Saturday, Dec. 22
Noon
Woodridge Public Library Meeting Room,
3 Plaza Drive, Woodridge
Please stay tuned for another email and additional details from Patch staff.
Happy Baking!
Lauren Traut
Associate Regional Editor
Melissa Guido
8:59 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
Thank you for the info! Also, I'm from Wheaton Il, but I couldn't edit the image from the upload on my phone.
Jean Baker
10:36 am on Monday, December 24, 2012
Will the recipes be shared with the readers so, we too, can make some of those scrumptious cookies?....please tell me yes!
Lauren Traut
11:05 am on Monday, December 24, 2012
Yes! We're working on rounding up the recipes now. As soon as we have them all, we'll provide them in one handy, dandy place!
Jean Baker
1:56 pm on Monday, December 24, 2012
YUM! - thanks and I look forward to seeing those recipes!