The recipes are in, and Chicago’s holiday baking tradition is officially back on the clock. Voting is open in the Chicago Tribune’s 39th annual Holiday Cookie Contest, a reader-powered competition that turns family favorites into headline-worthy treats and, for a few bakers, cash prizes just in time for the season.
According to the Tribune announcement by Kayla Samoy, readers can cast an online ballot once a day for their favorite recipe until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 24, 2025. Many of this year’s entries, the Tribune notes, are cherished recipes passed down by friends and family—exactly the kind of intergenerational stories that have fueled this contest’s staying power since the 1980s.
How the voting works — and where to click
Each reader is allowed one vote per day through the deadline. If the embedded ballot doesn’t appear, the Tribune directs voters to use the dedicated link: chicagotribune.secondstreetapp.com/Holiday-Cookie-Contest-2025. After voting closes, the 12 recipes with the most reader support will move on to the bake-off round, when Tribune staff will prepare the finalists for a professional tasting.
The food team also reserves the right to add one additional finalist via the “Joe Gray Save,” named for a former dining editor, turning the field into a baker’s dozen if a deserving recipe needs a second look. That editorial nudge is meant to keep the door open for a standout entry that may have flown under the radar during public voting.
Who’s judging — and what happens next
This year’s panel of guest judges brings a cross-section of Chicago’s culinary scene to the tasting table: Justin Lerias of Del Sur, Reema Patel of Sarima Cafe, and Asa Balanoff Naiditch of Blame Butter. Context materials provided with the announcement describe the trio’s complementary sensibilities—Del Sur’s interplay of Mexican flavors with classic baking, Sarima Cafe’s fusion-forward approach, and Blame Butter’s artisanal methods centered on quality ingredients—suggesting a judging conversation that prizes both technical craft and creative flavor.
The Tribune says judging will take place on Oct. 29, 2025, with winners notified by Oct. 31, 2025. The three winning recipes will be published in print and online on Dec. 3, 2025. Cash awards are set at $250 for first place, $150 for second, and $50 for third.
One caveat for avid bakers: the Tribune announcement does not detail a scoring rubric for the judges beyond the timeline and panel. There’s also no demographic breakdown of entrants or readers from past years, a data point that might interest returning competitors tracking trends.
A long-running tradition with a loyal following
The Tribune’s Holiday Cookie Contest dates back to 1986, according to contextual background provided with the announcement, and has evolved alongside Chicago’s culinary landscape. In a city defined by its cultural diversity, holiday baking often reflects neighborhood identities—from biscotti and gingerbread to heritage cookies unique to immigrant communities—so the finalist slate regularly spans styles and stories.
Industry trends included in the context pack point to a broader rise in home baking and recipe-sharing on social media, which has amplified contests like this. Visuals matter online, and so do backstories: analyses of past Tribune contests note that winning recipes tend to blend traditional technique with a contemporary twist and a memorable personal narrative. Those elements don’t just sway judges; they mobilize voters who see their own holiday memories reflected in an entry.
How readers and bakers can get involved
The contest is designed for low-lift, high-impact participation: one daily click adds up, especially in the final days before the deadline. Context materials accompanying the Tribune’s announcement offer a few practical suggestions for entrants and supporters looking to make the most of the voting window:
- Encourage friends and family to cast their once-a-day vote through 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 24, 2025, and share the voting link across social channels.
- Pair recipes with a concise personal story; past analyses show that a clear origin tale can make an entry more memorable to readers.
- Post high-quality, well-lit photos of the cookies when promoting on social media; visuals can boost engagement and daily turnout.
Those tips align with what the contest has long showcased: skill in the kitchen, yes, but also the way holiday baking connects people—around tables, across neighborhoods, and online.
Why it matters now
As seasonal calendars fill up, the Holiday Cookie Contest has become a civic ritual that asks something simple of readers: participate. The mix of public voting and professional judging keeps the stakes friendly yet meaningful. For a handful of bakers, there’s recognition and a modest cash prize. For everyone else, there’s the pleasure of discovery—and a set of new recipes to try when the winners publish on Dec. 3, 2025.
The rules this year are straightforward, the timeline is tight, and the judging panel is poised to reward both craft and creativity. The remaining question is the one Chicagoans answer best: Which plate of cookies will win your vote today? With ballots open and a deadline set, the city’s collective sweet tooth now has its say.
