5th Annual Kids Christmas Cookie Bake Off 2025

Event Overview

Contestants bake their Christmas cookies at home and then bring them to the Hoover Galleria to our panel of judges.

The bake off includes two age categories:

• Ages 7–10

• Ages 11–14

Judges will evaluate cookie entries based on taste and appearance. In each age group, the judges will select:

1. Best Tasting Cookie

2. Most Festive Cookie

3. Best All-Around Cookie

There will be six winners in total, three for each age category, and each will receive a Wooden Spoon Trophy.

Event Day Information

Arrival & Check-In

Contestants may arrive any time between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. There are no assigned time slots. Contestants will present and drop-off their cookies to the judges table located at the Hoover Chamber of Commerce terrace over-looking the Galleria food court. Instructions for where to park and enter will be sent via email. Upon arrival, participants will be greeted by an Itty Bitty Bakers staff member. Each baker will have their photo taken with their cookies for event documentation and future highlights. If you prefer that your child not be photographed, please inform our staff at check-in.

Presenting to the Judges

Each contestant will enter the terrace, place their cookies in front of the judges, and begin by stating their name and the name of the cookie they made. For instance, they could say, "Hi, I'm Molly, and I baked Chocolate Reindeer Cookies." We realize that not everyone may be comfortable speaking to the judges. A parent, sibling, or friend is welcome to speak on behalf of the contestant. Don't stress! Judging is based on cookies alone, not the oral presentation. The judges will then say, "Thanks! We are excited to taste them," and the contestant will then exit the terrace. The official taste-testing and judging session will begin at 3PM, after all contestants have presented their cookies. Winners will be announced via email and social media that evening, or as soon as possible.

Official Rules

• Cookies must be presented on a disposable plate, platter, or box labeled with the baker’s name and cookie name.

• Each baker must provide at least four cookies for judging.

• Cookies must include a step that requires them to be baked in an oven.

• Cookies must be made with minimal adult assistance.

Pre-registration is required

Cookie Types Allowed

Sugar cookies, shortbread cookies, cookie cups, cut-out cookies, bar cookies, sandwich cookies, crinkle cookies, spritz cookies, pfeffernüsse cookies, biscotti, wafer cookies, meltaways, alfajores, fortune cookies, animal crackers, dipped cookies, and stuffed cookies.

Cookie Types Not Allowed

French macarons, coconut macaroons, meringues, scones, crepes, pizelles, brownies, blondies, haystacks, stroopwafel, waffle cookies, truffles, churros, rugelach, cannoli, cookie dough, whoopie pies, éclairs, ladyfingers, no-bake cookies, pie-dough cookies, palmiers, Pop-Tarts, or decorated store-bought cookies.

Who are the Judges?

Judging is the hardest part of the bake off! Every year judges have the hardest time picking winners because there are so many good cookies. Judges graciously volunteer their time (and taste buds!) to make this event a success. We have 3 judges this year:

1. Abby Harris, Best All-Around Winner 2024

2. Andy Mathis, Body-Positive Dietitian, Media Spokesperson, Food & Lifestyle Blogger, Instagram Influencer @beautifuleatsandthings, and online boutique owner.

3. TBD

Why Participate?

The Kids Christmas Cookie Bake Off encourages confidence, creativity, and a sense of accomplishment in young bakers. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share holiday traditions, try new recipes, and celebrate the joy of baking. Kids can pull out old cookbooks, check-out cookbooks from the library, and get ideas from older family members about their favorite cookie recipes. We also encourage kids to work together with parents for ingredient shopping and the kitchen CLEANUP process!

Registration

Registration is required so judges can be prepared with proper scoring sheets for contestants. Space is limited to 30 contestants per age group category.

Past Bake Offs

To view contestants, judges, and winners from past bake offs, go to https://www.ittybittybakers.com/blog/categories/bake-off

We look forward to seeing the amazing cookie creations the kids will bring this year!