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!

A few of the cookies lined up for tasting!

A few more of the cookies! I wish I would have taken pictures of everything but we got a little too caught up in the hard work of tasting…

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!

Me (Baker Bettie) and my Husband (Mr. Baker Bettie) ready to host a cookie tasting! (please excuse our terrible kitchen lighting.)

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…

Hazelnut shortbread cookies dipped in hazelnut cream

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…

Browned Butter and Dark Chocolate Marshmallow cookies stacked up

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…

Side view of hazelnut shortbread topped with mascarpone and blackberries

Entry #6: Strawberry and Avocado Poppy Seed Softies From: Charity @ Sweets By Charity

Key Ingredients: Poppy Seeds, Avocado click here for the printable recipe…

Cookies filled with strawberries, avocado and poppy seeds

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…

An upclose shot of a peanut butter, banana, and honey sandwich cookie

Entry #8: Chocolate Oatmeal Surprise Cookies From: Charity @ Sweets By Charity

Key Ingredients: Hazelnuts, Dark Chocolate click here for the printable recipe…

Upclose view of chocolate oatmeal cookie

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…

Upclose view of dark chocolate and cherry cookies

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…

A stylized photo of passion fruit and goat cheese cookie with glaze on top on a plate

Entry #11: Not-So-Thin Mints From: Katie @ Veggie and The Beast

Key Ingredients: Avocado, Dark Chocolate, Mint click here for the printable recipe…

Side view of chocolate mint cookies

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…

Small kumquat and coconut cookies on a plate

Entry  #13: Gluten Free Kumquat Ginger Snaps From: Abby @ Seaweed and Sassafras

Key Ingredients: Kumquat, Honey click here for the printable recipe…

Thin kumquat gingersnap cookies on a plate with a glass of milk

Entry #14: Coffeehouse Cookies From: Cait @ Cait’s Food Therapy

Key Ingredients: Hazelnut, Dark Chocolate, Coffee click here for the printable recipe…

Small coffee house cookies on a plate beside a cup of coffee

Entry #15: Chili Dipped Coffee Biscuits From: Jaime @ Jaim’s Kitchen

Key Ingredients: Coffee, Dark Chocolate, Dried Chili click here for the printable recipe…

Shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate and dried chili on a plate

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…

Hazelnut coffee sandwich cookies filled with marshmallow beside a cup of coffee

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…

Cookies shaped with pink strawberries dipped in chocolate on a board

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…

Chocolate hazelnut cranberries cookies on a plate

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…

Fruit and nut chocolate sandwich cookie on a plate

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

Lemon poppyseed cookie with glaze on a plate

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

Coffeehouse cookies on a plate with a cup of coffee

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

Fruit and nut sandwich cookies on a plate

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

A close up of the peanut butter, honey and banana sandwich cookie

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

A top view of the Hazelnut Shortbread topped with Mascarpone and Blackberries

A side view of the Hazelnut Shortbread topped with Mascarpone and Blackberries

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!!!

Me and the judges holding up a cookie

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!