Note to Barrington readers: The source materials for this story contain no Barrington-specific information. Below is a focused look at the Chicago Tribune’s 2025 Holiday Cookie Contest and how Chicago-area readers can participate.
The recipes are in, and now the public gets a say. Voting is officially open in the Chicago Tribune’s 39th annual Holiday Cookie Contest, with readers invited to help elevate favorite bakes — many described as cherished family recipes passed down from friends and relatives — into the finals and, ultimately, the paper’s pages.
How to vote
- Readers may vote online once per day for their favorite recipe until 11:59 p.m. Oct. 24.
- The Tribune’s voting portal is available at chicagotribune.secondstreetapp.com/Holiday-Cookie-Contest-2025.
In announcing the start of balloting, the Tribune framed the moment this way: “The recipes are in and now the power is in your hands — voting is officially open in the Tribune’s 39th annual Holiday Cookie Contest.”
What happens after voting closes
Once voting ends, the 12 recipes that receive the most votes will be baked by Tribune staff for the final judging round. The food team also reserves the option to expand the field to a baker’s dozen via the “Joe Gray Save,” an editorial addition named for a former dining editor that can bring in one exceptional recipe even if it did not land in the top 12 by vote totals.
- Judging date: Oct. 29
- Winner notifications: by Oct. 31
- Publication of winning recipes: Dec. 3 in print and online
Who’s judging this year
This year’s guest judges are:
- Justin Lerias of Del Sur
- Reema Patel of Sarima Cafe
- Asa Balanoff Naiditch of Blame Butter
Tribune staff will prepare the finalist cookies for this panel, which will decide the winning entries following the Oct. 29 judging.
What’s at stake
The contest carries cash awards for the top three finishers:
- First place: $250
- Second place: $150
- Third place: $50
Beyond the prizes, the three winning recipes will be showcased by the Tribune, with publication slated for Dec. 3 in print and online — a high-profile spotlight as holiday baking season hits full stride.
Why this matters to local readers
For suburban home bakers and cookie enthusiasts across the Chicago area, the contest offers a chance to rally around family traditions and support neighbors and friends whose recipes often come with a story. Daily voting adds a community dimension, giving readers a direct role in shaping the lineup that reaches the judges’ table.
What to watch for — and what’s not specified
The Tribune’s announcement lays out the voting window, finalist selection, judging date and publication schedule, as well as the judges’ names and prize amounts. It does not include certain logistical details readers might be curious about:
- Specific submission guidelines and whether any geographic limitations apply were not included in the materials provided.
- Anti-fraud or verification measures for online voting (such as registration requirements or vote auditing) were not specified.
- Biographical details about guest judges beyond their affiliations were not provided.
Readers following the contest timeline should expect a quick turnaround between the Oct. 29 judging and winner notifications by Oct. 31, with the winning recipes appearing Dec. 3.
Key dates at a glance
- Voting open now; one vote per day per reader through 11:59 p.m. Oct. 24.
- Top 12 vote-getters advance; the food team may add one more via the “Joe Gray Save.”
- Final judging Oct. 29; winners notified by Oct. 31.
- Winning recipes published Dec. 3.
With the ballot live and a daily vote allowance in place, Chicago-area readers have nine days to propel their favorites into the finals. Whether you’re rooting for a heritage cookie that’s graced holiday trays for decades or an inventive newcomer, the path from home oven to December publication runs through the voting portal — and through the community weighing in one day at a time.
