Drum roll please, the 2023 Holiday Cookie Contest winners have been announced. After almost four decades, Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest bakers continue to submit delicious, yet sometimes surprisingly simple recipes that readers turn to year after year. The winners of this year’s 37th annual contest are no different, and they stunned our guest judges Martin Sorge (@martinsorge), Nirali Chauhan (@niralibchauhan) and Sarah Chang (@onweekendswebake). Tap the link in our bio to find recipes for Graham Cracker Praline, the first-place winner from Kathy Evertsberg of Winnetka; Chewy Sesame Chocolate Chunk Cookies from second-place winner and Chicagoan Clarissa Frayn (@piesforthepeople); and our third-place winner, Coconut Tassies from Mary Kim of Chicago. We hope you can enjoy these recipes from the first snowfall to spring’s first blooms. Happy holidays and happy baking, Chicago. ———— Photo 1: Chewy Sesame Chocolate Chunk Cookies, from left, Graham Cracker Pralines and Coconut Tassie. Photo 2: The Graham Cracker Praline by Kathy Evertsberg. Photo 3: The Chewy Sesame Chocolate Chunk Cookie by Clarissa Frayn. Photo 4: Coconut Tassies by Mary Kim. Photo 5: Tribune cookie contest judges Nirali Chauhan, Martin Sorge and Sarah Chang. ? Lauryn Azu, Louisa Kung Liu Chu and Shanzeh Ahmad / Chicago Tribune ? Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune / @briancassella

Drum roll please, the 2023 Holiday Cookie Contest winners have been announced.

After almost four decades, Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest bakers continue to submit delicious, yet sometimes surprisingly simple recipes that readers turn to year after year.

The winners of this year’s 37th annual contest are no different, and they stunned our guest judges Martin Sorge (@martinsorge), Nirali Chauhan (@niralibchauhan) and Sarah Chang (@onweekendswebake).

Tap the link in our bio to find recipes for Graham Cracker Praline, the first-place winner from Kathy Evertsberg of Winnetka; Chewy Sesame Chocolate Chunk Cookies from second-place winner and Chicagoan Clarissa Frayn (@piesforthepeople); and our third-place winner, Coconut Tassies from Mary Kim of Chicago.

We hope you can enjoy these recipes from the first snowfall to spring’s first blooms. Happy holidays and happy baking, Chicago.

————
Photo 1: Chewy Sesame Chocolate Chunk Cookies, from left, Graham Cracker Pralines and Coconut Tassie.

Photo 2: The Graham Cracker Praline by Kathy Evertsberg.

Photo 3: The Chewy Sesame Chocolate Chunk Cookie by Clarissa Frayn.

Photo 4: Coconut Tassies by Mary Kim.

Photo 5: Tribune cookie contest judges Nirali Chauhan, Martin Sorge and Sarah Chang.

? Lauryn Azu, Louisa Kung Liu Chu and Shanzeh Ahmad / Chicago Tribune
? Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune / @briancassella