Here are the 12 finalists for the Tribune's 2025 Holiday Cookie Contest

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Kayla Samoy | ksamoy@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: October 29, 2025 at 5:00 AM CDT

After days of voting, more than 1,800 readers cast over 3,800 votes to decide the 12 finalists in this year’s Holiday Cookie Contest. Here are the recipes that received the most votes and are continuing on to the final round.

●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
●MMMM Cookies: Mom‘s Mandelbread modified for Marty by Elyse Tish of Glenview

Tribune staffers will be busy baking these recipes this week, and this year’s guest judges — Justin Lerias of Del Sur, Reema Patel of Sarima Cafe and Asa Balanoff Naiditch of Blame Butter — will sample all of these treats and crown their top three favorites.

We’ll announce the winners in print and online Dec. 3.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/29/2025-cookie-contest-finalists/

You'll find all of the recipes with pictures at the link. Enjoy!


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