Christmas Cookie Challenge

Five cookie makers enter the workshop to find host Eddie Jackson lounging in a beach chair under a palm tree; the bakers are challenged to create cookies perfect for a Christmas in the tropics.

Host Eddie Jackson asks five of Americas best cookie makers to create two cookies on sticks: one representing the best part of Christmas for kids and another showing the best part for grown-ups. Deciding which three cookie makers move on to the next round is a job for judges Ree Drummond, Dan Langan and Aarti Sequeira. For the display challenge, its the night before Christmas, but the stockings have not been hung by the chimney with care. So the competitors must craft life-size Christmas stockings entirely out of cookies and incorporate winter fruits like pomegranates, pears or clementines. Only the best of the best gets to stuff their stocking with the $10,000 grand prize.

Host Eddie Jackson loves traditional nesting dolls because theyre the kind of Christmas gift that keeps on giving. So for this decorating challenge, he asks five of Americas finest cookie makers to whip up six cookies of the same design that get progressively smaller. Its a tall order for judges Stephanie Boswell, Ree Drummond and Molly Yeh to decide which two cookie makers come up short in the first round. The task gets even tougher in the display challenge as the three remaining cookie makers must craft a Christmas village completely out of cookies. Its mayhem on Main Street as the bakers compete with $10,000 on the line.

Eddie Jackson cherishes homemade gifts that come from the heart, so he asks five of the top cookie makers to create cookies that look like handcrafted gifts. Judges Matt Adlard, Ree Drummond and Brandi Milloy pick their favorite homespun creation. Then the competitors have to create complex cookie garlands worthy of stringing up in front of the fireplace, and they fire up their cookies with smoky ingredients like paprika, smoked almonds, Gouda and scotch. When the smoke clears, one cookie maker is left standing with the $10,000 prize.

Eddie Jackson wishes five festive cookie makers a very Merry "Fit-mas" because Ol St. Nick has put the entire North Pole on a strict fitness regimen. The competitors have to decorate cookies showing beloved characters from the North Pole getting fit, and judges Matt Adlard, Ree Drummond and Brandi Milloy decide which cookie makers shape up and which ones ship out. Then its time for a much bigger makeover as the bakers redesign and reconstruct Santas house using only cookies. They also have to infuse their sugary shacks with innovative ingredients like tahini, avocado, olive oil and almond butter. Its a remodeling race to the finish with the $10,000 prize awaiting the most adept cookie architect.

Five of the finest cookie makers around push the envelope when Eddie Jackson calls on them to craft creative Christmas cards out of cookies. Deciding which ones get "returned to sender" are judges Ree Drummond, Gesine Prado and Aarti Sequeira. Then the bakers reach for new heights by building beautiful Christmas tree toppers out of cookies and incorporating classic toppings like mini marshmallows and maraschino cherries. When the luster dust settles, one cookie maker stands alone at the top of the heap with the $10,000 grand prize.

Eddie Jackson challenges five talented cookie makers to flex their skills with classic cookie cutters, using them to make dazzling designs that have nothing to do with the cutters original shapes. Judges Ree Drummond, Dan Langan and Aarti Sequeira decide which cookie creations are a cut above. Then the stakes become crystal clear as the competitors use edible stained glass to make cookie versions of traditional Christmas decorations like trees, wreaths and lanterns. With $10,000 in their sights, they strive to make displays that are all sweetness and light.

The five bakers use cookies to show off their vision of Christmas future; building baked and breakable gift displays to re-create the joy of unwrapping gifts on Christmas morning.

Five talented cookie makers are tasked with creating Christmas cross-stitch cookies. Then the crafting continues as the bakers combine the beauty of a wreath with the fun of a Christmas character in one massive, 3-D cookie display.

Five talented cookie makers put their heart and soul into crafting cookies that celebrate Christmas weddings. Then the competition heats up as the cookie makers create 3-D Christmas trees inspired by plants found deep in the desert. Guest judge Jason Smith joins hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson to decide which baker has it made in the shade and deserves the $10,000 prize.

Five fantastic cookie makers recreate the feel of a cup of hot cocoa on a frosty Christmas morn by crafting holiday mugs out of cookies! Then, hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson turn the workshop into a merry art museum as they ask the cookiers to create cookie self-portraits. To give their artwork an extra splash of color, they have to incorporate vibrant ingredients like beets, butterfly pea tea or saffron. One cookie Caravaggio earns some serious "Monet" -- the $10,000 prize!

Hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson are feeling nostalgic as five top cookie makers create Christmas cookies that reflect decades past. Then, the merry trip down memory lane continues as the cookiers craft 3-D edible snow globes with 360-degree shine. They draw flavor inspiration from globe-shaped ingredients like blood oranges, golden berries and grapes, and the most-dazzling dome earns one competitor the $10,000 prize!

Santa always delivers the perfect gift -- but what do you get for the man who has everything? Five festive cookie makers use their imaginations to decorate cookies that feature the perfect present for ol Saint Nick. Then, the cookiers fashion the ultimate Christmas party-starter: life-size ugly Christmas sweaters! To make sure that these massive cookie displays are monstrous inside and out, they have to use funny-looking fruits to flavor their cookies. Hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson decide which competitor rules the runway and earns $10,000.

Santas recruiting new animals for his team, and its up to five of the best cookie makers around to come up with the candidates! After hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson select which reindeer replacements will make the squad, its time for fun with a frosty friend as the cookiers craft one-of-a-kind 3-D snowmen. To infuse their cookie snowmen with a chilly flavor, the competitors incorporate frozen fruits like blueberry, strawberry, raspberry and blackberry. With $10,000 on the line, only one can be "Best in Snow."

The gingerbread men are having a North Pole party, and its up to five festive cookie makers to come up with their cookie costumes. After hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson separate the haute from the not, the four remaining bakers channel their inner architect by constructing cookie versions of Downtown North Pole. Since everyone up in the land of Christmas eats nothing but candy, theyll have to incorporate some sweets into their dough. One cookie maker will be the talk of the town after winning the $10,000 prize and the title of Christmas Cookie Champion.

Five crafty cookie makers turn back the clock with their own interpretation of a young Santa and Mrs. Claus before hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson decide which designs stand the test of time. Then, the bakers reach deep into the roots of Christmas by building cookie greenhouses with edible windows where Christmas trees can grow and thrive. Their gorgeous greenhouses will be infused with fresh herbs, including basil, rosemary, tarragon, and sage. The cookie maker who constructs the grandest greenhouse will earn some serious green with the $10,000 prize and the title of Christmas Cookie Champion.

Our favorite Christmas traditions go way back, and now five of the best cookie makers take it way, waaaaay back with holiday cookies from when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson decide which competitor is left in the past before challenging the bakers to craft 3D cookie vehicles for getting around the North Pole. Balloons, boats and scooters will be part of Santas new fleet for beating the sleet, fueled with tasty soda pop flavors like orange, grape, black cherry and birch beer.

We all know what goes on the night before Christmas, and now five fantastic cookie makers take hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson behind the scenes at the North Pole by whipping up cookies that reveal what the heroes of Christmas get up to the day after. Then, the cookie makers share a peek at the place where Santa parks his sleigh -- the rooftop! A location with that kind of action better be durable, so theyll have to lay roof tiles in the form of peanut brittle, peppermint bark, honeycomb candy or English toffee.

Its redemption day in the workshop as hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson welcome back cookie makers who came up just short of winning their first time around. Theyll decorate cookies that call back to forgotten Christmas traditions and characters using a classic cookie thats hard to master -- snickerdoodle! Two cookie makers will experience the ultimate heartbreak, while one will gain an advantage for the second round. The three remaining cookie makers reveal what makes them tick as they construct massive 360-degree Christmas grandfather clocks featuring timely ingredients like instant coffee, instant pudding mix, sloe gin and thyme. The cookie maker who makes the most titanic timepiece will earn redemption and a $10,000 prize.

When Christmas rolls around, its time to enjoy Warner Brothers classic Christmas movie "Elf." Hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson challenge four of the finest cookie makers around to get inspired by "the seven levels of the candy cane forest" and "the sea of swirly-twirly gumdrops" to create cookies that show the parts of Buddys journey not featured in the movie. When its over, one "cotton-headed ninny muggin" will be sent home for the holidays, while the one who decorates the most fantastical journey will win an advantage for the next round. Then, the three remaining cookie makers cobble together 3D pop-up cookie book displays showing their favorite scene from "Elf." Their magical displays will have to incorporate ingredients from Buddy the Elfs favorite meal: maple syrup, chocolate syrup, candy-coated chocolates, chocolate breakfast pastries or cooked spaghetti. One talented son of a nutcracker will win $10,000 and the coveted Golden Ornament.

Old-school picture postcards are making a comeback as a fun way to share the magic of Christmastime vacations with loved ones back home, so hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson challenge four festive cookie makers to create two-sided Christmas postcards. One cookie maker will have their postcard stamped "return to sender," while the cookie maker who best pushes the envelope will win an advantage for the next round. Then, the merry trip continues as the three remaining cookie makers craft 360-degree Christmas camper vans while incorporate outdoorsy favorites like granola bars, fruit leather, almond butter packets or instant oatmeal. The cookie maker who makes the coolest camper will scamper home with $10,000 and the Golden Ornament.

The holidays are the best time of year to get comfy on the couch and watch some classic Christmas movies, so hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson challenge four of the best cookie makers around to dream up a movie of their own and decorate a cookie poster for it. The one who creates a "box-office flop" will be sent home for the holidays, while the one who creates cinematic magic will gain an advantage for the next round. The three remaining cookie makers take inspiration from one of the most beloved holiday movies of all time, "A Christmas Story," to create a vintage TV showing their favorite scene from the film. For this merry movie night, theyll have to use some popular snacks in their displays like popcorn, chocolate covered raisins, potato chips or chocolate-covered pretzels. The cookie maker who makes this sweet holiday classic even sweeter will win $10,000 and the "fra-gee-lay" Golden Ornament!

Ho-Ho-Hike! When the weather turns icy, the magical folks who live at the North Pole love gathering together to play winter sports. Hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson ask four competitive cookie makers to tackle making two winter sports cookies. One cookie maker will suffer the agony of defeat, while another will advance with an advantage for the next round. After a big game, the merry residents of the North Pole gather in the towns gazebo to socialize, so the cookie makers craft their own towering 10-foot tall Christmas gazebos complete with classic pitched roofs. Their cookies will have to incorporate comforting drinks perfect for sipping at social occasions, like peppermint mocha, pumpkin spice, chai or apple cider. The cookie maker who creates the gazebo most worthy of the North Poles town square will paint the town red with $10,000 and the Golden Ornament. 

Hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson invite four clever cookie makers into the workshop to put their spins on the North Poles favorite interactive puzzle game, "Wheres Santa?" Ree and Eddie bust out their magnifying glasses to find Santa among all the distractions and red herrings on these richly detailed decorated cookies. The cookie maker who hides Santa in plain sight will be finding the exit, while Ree and Eddie will reveal an advantage in the next round for this stealthy challenge winner. For their final challenge, the remaining three cookie makers create delectable 3D cookie displays showing Santas favorite North Pole spots, like his beloved burger joint. Theyll have to include some of Santas favorite burger toppings in their cookies: bacon, pineapple rings, mustard or cheddar.  Whoever creates the most spectacular versions of Santas stomping grounds will sleighride home with $10,000 and the Golden Ornament. 

Santa and Mrs. Claus are enjoying a yuletide seaside vacation, where the mermaids make merry, and the sharks stuff their stockings with care. Hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson invite four seaworthy cookie makers to reveal how sea creatures celebrate the season. The cookie maker who flounders will wash out of the workshop, while one cookie maker will reel in an advantage for the next challenge. Then, its more festive fun in the sun as the cookie makers build 3D Christmas sandcastles, complete with crushed cookie sand. To give their cookies a taste of the tropics, theyll have to use papaya, mangoes, coconuts or guava. The cookie maker who crafts the jolliest Christmas sandcastle will swell with pride as they win $10,000 and the Golden Ornament.

Hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson rev their engines and ask four of the finest cookie makers in the land to create cookie billboards hawking holiday goods along the North Poles frozen highways. One cookie maker will be eliminated, but the one who best gets their message across will win an advantage for the next challenge. For their final challenge, the remaining three cookie makers celebrate the beloved Christmas movie, The Polar Express. Theyll draw inspiration from the festive film as they create their own edible trains hauling that most precious of cargoes -- scrumptious Christmas cookies! One cookie conductor will reach the end of the line with $10,000 and the Golden Ornament.