If you haven't submitted your entry for the 18th annual Star Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest, you'd better get baking. 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 or baking experience.

No classics, please — most bakers already have their favorite spritz or cutout recipes in hand. Check out the archive of our past 87 finalists at startribune.com/cookies to avoid entering ones similar to those featured in the past.

Winners: Recipes from the winner and four finalists will appear in the Star Tribune in early December and will become part of our online archive. The grand prize is a $200 gift certificate to a kitchen specialty store.

Deadline: This is critical. Send your recipe, your name, daytime phone number, e-mail address and street address so the entry arrives by noon on Oct. 8.

At that time, we drop everything and immediately go through the recipes to pick out the cookies to test. Do not wait until the last minute to mail your entry or it may arrive after our choices have been made. Photos help us visualize your cookies as we page through the many 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.