Cookies Wars 2012! “And the Winner is…”
The time has come to announce the winners of Cookie Wars 2012!
But wait, wait, wait. Do not scroll down to the bottom yet!
I HAVE to recognize all of these awesome entries first. I was seriously blown away by all of the recipes submitted. When all was said and done there were 21 entries, making our judging very tough.
I really wish I could let all you all know how much it means to me that you put in your time and creativity to enter this contest, and you are all fabulous!
I also need to give a big thanks to my husband! He was such a good sport going to 6 (actually maybe 7) grocery stores with me to get all of the ingredients and never complaining once. He is so supportive of me and my crazy blogging endeavors. I should also tell you all that he tasted each recipe and liked them all. THIS is a big complement to you as he is quite the picky eater!
For those of you who have not been following the series, participants were asked to develop a cookie recipe using two ingredients off this list:
- Avocado
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Basil
- Beer
- Coffee
- Cranberries
- Cream Cheese
- Dark Chocolate
- Dried Chilies
- Dr. Pepper
- Fennel Bulb
- Garlic
- Goat Cheese
- Grapefruit
- Greek Yogurt
- Hazelnut
- Honey
- Kumquat
- Maple Syrup
- Marshmallows
- Mint
- Passion Fruit
- Peach
- Poppy Seeds
- Rosemary
- Sour Cherries
- Sweet Potato
- Tomato
Entrants were then judged in the 3 categories of: Taste, Required Ingredient Use and Creativity, and Appearance with the most weight going to the taste category because cookies are meant to be devoured, right?!
And now onto those entries! Grab your cup of coffee or a beer (it’s 5 o’clock somewhere, right?) and enjoy the cookie magic.
(All entries are listed in order they were submitted)
Entry #1: Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies From: Sue @ The View from the Great Island
Key Ingredients: Coffee, Hazelnuts click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #2: Browned Butter Dark Chocolate and Marshmallow Cookies From: Kayle @ The Cooking Actress
Key Ingredients: Dark Chocolate, Marshmallows click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #3: Dark Chocolate Chunk Sandwich Cookies with a Beer Chocolate Filling From: Jill @ Reini Days
Key Ingredients: Dark Chocolate, Beer, Coffee click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #4: Zesty Shortbread Cookies (Basil and Lemon Shortbread with a Sour Cherry Glaze and Candied Basil) From: Eliza Jane at Pastries and Pairs
Key Ingredients: Goat Cheese, Basil, Sour Cherries click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #5: Hazelnut Shortbread topped with Honey Vanilla Bean Mascarpone and Blackberries From: Shelly @ Vegetarian Ventures
Key Ingredients: Hazelnut, Honey click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #6: Strawberry and Avocado Poppy Seed Softies From: Charity @ Sweets By Charity
Key Ingredients: Poppy Seeds, Avocado click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #7: Peanut Butter, Honey and Banana Sandwich Cookies From: Charity @ Sweets By Charity
Key Ingredients: Honey, Cream Cheese click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #8: Chocolate Oatmeal Surprise Cookies From: Charity @ Sweets By Charity
Key Ingredients: Hazelnuts, Dark Chocolate click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #9: Cheater’s Cranberry Chocolate Cookies (vegan, raw, refined sugar/soy/grain/corn free) From: Lou @ Fridge Scrapings
Key Ingredients: Dark Chocolate, Cranberries click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #10: Passion Fruit Goat Cheese Fresh Mint Cookies with Passion Fruit Glaze From: Assia @ Assia’s Kaleidoscope
Key Ingredients: Passion Fruit, Goat Cheese, Mint click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #11: Not-So-Thin Mints From: Katie @ Veggie and The Beast
Key Ingredients: Avocado, Dark Chocolate, Mint click here for the printable recipe…
Entry # 12: Kumquat and Coconut Cookies (grain free and sugar free) From: Veronica @ Veronica’s Cornucopia
Key Ingredients: Kumquat, Honey, Greek Yogurt click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #13: Gluten Free Kumquat Ginger Snaps From: Abby @ Seaweed and Sassafras
Key Ingredients: Kumquat, Honey click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #14: Coffeehouse Cookies From: Cait @ Cait’s Food Therapy
Key Ingredients: Hazelnut, Dark Chocolate, Coffee click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #15: Chili Dipped Coffee Biscuits From: Jaime @ Jaim’s Kitchen
Key Ingredients: Coffee, Dark Chocolate, Dried Chili click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #16: Almond Poppy Seed Cookies with Lemon and Honey Butter From: Heather @ Free Range Kitchen
Key Ingredients: Poppy Seed, Honey click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #17: Salted Hazelnut and Coffee Marshmallow Sandwich Cookies From: Heather @ Free Range Kitchen
Key Ingredients: Hazelnut, Coffee, Marshmallow click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #18: Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies From: Laura @ Ring Finger Tanline
Key Ingredients: Cream Cheese, Honey, Dark Chocolate (Basil or Mint as garnish) click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #19: Coffee-Infused Shortbread “French Fry” Cookies (egg, dairy, and gluten free) From: Cara @ Fork and Beans
Key Ingredients: Coffee, Cream Cheese click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #20: Chocolate Hazelnut Cranberry Cookies From: Kristin @ Softer City
Key Ingredients: Cranberry, Hazelnut click here for the printable recipe…
Entry #21: Fruit and Nut Chocolate Cookie Sandwich From: Amrita @ Beetle’s Kitchen Escapades
Key Ingredients: Dark Chocolate, Greek Yogurt, Cranberries click here for the printable recipe…
Whew!
21 Cookies Recipes! Can you say “sugar rush?”
So… does anyone want to come over and eat the rest of these cookies?
I guess you want to know who won…
Let me start with a few recognitions…
“The Most Beautiful Cookie” goes to:
Entry #10: Passion Fruit Goat Cheese Fresh Mint Cookies with Passion Fruit Glaze From: Assia @ Assia’s Kaleidoscope
I mean, seriously. Look. At. These. So amazingly gorgeous! And the flavors are amazing too! I have to say these were almost in the top 3. Like, I mean just a few points behind. Assia, you made some seriously beautiful and delicious cookies girl! Thanks for entering and sharing with us!
“The Most Delicious Use of Ingredients” goes to:
Entry #14: Coffeehouse Cookies From: Cait @ Cait’s Food Therapy
These were a total shocker! Yeah sure they look good. Like a deliciously chewy chocolate chip cookie, and who doesn’t like that. But wait! Once you bite into this incredible cookie you know instantly that is not what it is. It is filled with crunchy dark chocolate covered espresso beans, and ground hazelnuts and french vanilla extract. You are instantly transported to your favorite coffee house. I loved watching the looks on all of the judges faces as they took bites of these. First a look of shock when they realize that chocolate chip is in fact an espresso bean, and then pure enjoyment. Thanks for developing this Cait!
Now for the recipes with the top 3 combined scores in taste, appearance, and creative use of ingredients…
3rd Place goes to…
Entry #21: Fruit and Nut Chocolate Cookie Sandwich From: Amrita @ Beetle’s Kitchen Escapades
Those dark chocolate cookies are perfectly crunchy and taste like the most delicious Oreo you have ever eaten. Paired with the tart cranberry and greek yogurt filling and a hint of saltiness from the nuts, this is the perfect sandwich cookie. So glad you decided to join the contest Amrita!
2nd Place goes to…
Entry #7: Peanut Butter, Honey and Banana Sandwich Cookies From: Charity @ Sweets By Charity
Charity says this recipe was inspired by her favorite childhood sandwich: Peanut Butter, Banana, and Honey. And that is exactly what it tastes like. This incredible pillowy soft cookie is the perfect sandwich for the sweet and salty cream cheese and peanut butter filling. Just perfect.
AND THE WINNER OF COOKIE WARS 2012 IS….
Entry #5: Hazelnut Shortbread topped with Honey Vanilla Bean Mascarpone and Blackberries From: Shelly @ Vegetarian Ventures
There she is. Isn’t she pretty?! Let me tell you, this cookie is amazing! Shelly kept it fairly simple because the flavors she choose didn’t need a whole lot of frills. First she choose hazelnuts and paired them with a brown sugar short bread which keeps the cookie more moist than a traditional short bread. The cookie by itself is good, but then she pulled out the frosting with her second required ingredient, honey. Mascarpone + honey + vanilla bean = one of the best things I have ever eaten… Ever. All of the judges agreed this cookie left us wanting more and more. Shelly, your cookies are superb! Thank you for sharing and congratulations for winning Cookie Wars 2012!!!
To all of the participants, Thank you so so very much for entering the first blogging contest I have hosted. It was so much fun to see all of your creativity!
Please stay tuned this week for an announcement of my new blogging series!