The timer is ticking for the 18th annual Star Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest. The deadline is less than two weeks away.
What we're looking for: Cookies that are new to most bakers, whether you've created your own, tweaked a family specialty or been inspired by recipes elsewhere. Please credit any source and tell us the story behind your cookie. Stay away from the classics. Check out our the archive of our past 87 finalists at startribune.com/cookies to avoid entering ones similar to those that have been featured in the past.
Winners: Recipes from the winner and four finalists will appear in the Star Tribune in early December and become part of our online archive. The grand prize is a $200 gift certificate to a kitchen specialty store.
Deadline: Send your recipe, your name, daytime phone number, e-mail address and street address so the entry arrives by noon on Oct. 8.
Include photos; they help us visualize your cookies as we page through entries.
How to enter: E-mail taste@startribune.com and indicate "Cookie Contest" in the subject field. Prefer mail? Send to Holiday Cookie Contest, Star Tribune, 650 3rd Av. S., Suite 1300, Minneapolis, MN 55488. □