After sorting through more than 150 entries and testing (and tasting) 24 of them, our work is nearly done: The winners of the 23rd annual Minnesota Star Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest have been selected, and they’re delicious.
You can taste them yourselves at our special Cookie Wonderland event on Dec. 4 at Southdale Center. You’ll be able to sample this year’s winning cookies, mingle with fellow bakers and ask questions of the Taste team and baking professionals. The 2025 winner and finalists will be recognized as part of the program, which starts at 11 a.m. Cookies will be available while supplies last.
But there’s more than cookies!
The program begins with a caroler performance from Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, followed by our baking panel, where you’ll hear from this year’s winner, as well as baking experts author Zoë François and Amy Carter, the retired pastry chef who leads our recipe testing.
Following the panel, walk through our expanded Cookie Wonderland experience to sample winning cookies, grab a cup of coffee, snap a wintry photo or buy one of a trio of baking cookbooks and have it signed by the authors.
Former Taste staffers Lee Svitak Dean and Rick Nelson will be there to sign copies of their “The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book.” Star Tribune baking columnist Sarah Kieffer also will be on hand to answer your baking challenges and to sign her newest cookbook, “Baking for the Holidays,” as will François, with “Zoë Bakes Cookies.”
New this year is a chance to buy a limited edition Cookie Gift Box containing all five winning cookies and an exclusive Cookie Wonderland mug ($40). Cookie sampling and the event remain free.
Register at startribune.com/cookiewonderland (it’s also where to order a prepaid cookie box). In lieu of charging for the event, we have partnered with Second Harvest Heartland to collect nonperishable food donations for families in need. In addition, cash donations can be made to the Minnesota Star Tribune Local News Fund. Donations for both will be collected on-site.
