Three hundred home bakers came together for the third annual Cookie Exchange in Cleveland, hosted by bakery owner Kelsey Elizabeth and Taste of Home. Nine cookies took home a judges' choice award.
It’s time to reveal the winners of the 2025 Cookie Exchange, hosted by Taste of Home and Kelsey Elizabeth! This year’s sweet celebration took over downtown Cleveland’s historic Arcade on December 3. Bakers were so eager to snag one of the 300 coveted spots, tickets sold out in minutes just like last year.
Midwest bakers (plus a few from as far as Arizona and North Carolina!) arrived with six dozen cookies apiece, ready to share with strangers who quickly felt like friends. Tables loaded with cutouts, shortbreads, gingerbreads and crinkles stretched as far as you could see.
Our hosts became cookie judges for the evening, tasting everything from nostalgic holiday favorites to clever, savory surprises. Every tray was packed with creativity and heart. Here are the cookies we couldn’t stop talking about.
The Top Cookies
All three hundred cookies were winners, but nine had a little extra holiday magic.
Peach Cookies
Nancy Pappas from Evan’s City, Pennsylvania
Nancy went all out with this one. The sandwich cookie was filled with buttercream, dipped in peach schnapps, and topped off with a leaf. It looked exactly like a perfectly ripe peach! Everyone was impressed. In fact, when the judges announced this one, the whole room erupted in cheers.
Biscuits de Fromage
Elizabeth Tittle from Garfield Heights, Ohio
A cheese board in cookie form?! The judges were intrigued. Elizabeth tried a few variations before landing on this combination of fig, pistachio, thyme and pecorino Romano cheese, sandwiched with a thin layer of honey.
Buckeye Brownie Cookies
Sherri Gordon from Cleveland, Ohio
A cookie exchange in Ohio wouldn’t be complete without buckeyes! This variation was beloved by the judges. Peanut butter balls were topped with chocolate and nestled on a chewy brownie base.
Lady Locks
Laura Pappas from Wexford, Pennsylvania
We thought we knew every holiday cookie imaginable, but this was a new one for us! A regional favorite in Pennsylvania, Lady Locks are light and flaky spiral cookies made with puff pastry, filled with cream and dusted with powdered sugar.
Persimmon Cobbler Cookies
Devin Trout from Lorain, Ohio
Judges perked up at the mention of persimmon. Devin stuffed these cinnamon cookies with a persimmon filling and finished them with vanilla glaze. Persimmon cookies need to feature on more treat trays this year!
Marshmallow Crispy Cookies
Kerry Cook from Raleigh, North Carolina
Kerry deconstructed a cereal treat and turned it into a dessert worthy of a holiday cookie platter. The brown butter cookie was loaded with Rice Krispies cereal and mini marshmallows—an amazing combination of textures.
Decorated Sugar Cookies
Kyrsten Willits from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
These beautiful vanilla bean sugar cookies were decorated with vanilla bean royal icing. Judges were mesmerized by the elegant white-on-white pattern. These snowflakes were almost too pretty to eat!
Death by Butter Cookies
Katie Cooper from Madison, Ohio
This light and tender yellow cake cookie melts in your mouth. Katie admits to stealing this recipe from her mom, and it’s now a staple at her family and work events.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Krispies
Dot Chmiel from North Ridgeville, Ohio
Dot dressed up a classic treat by mixing in peanut butter and covering it in a layer of chocolate. This was our littlest judge’s favorite dessert—100% kid-approved.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Cookie Exchange 101
