We asked our loyal Patch readers to show off their baking prowess this holiday season. We called on the Christmas Cookie Queen, the Host with the Most in Oven Mitts—the ones whose baked goods land them invitations to every holiday party in the neighborhood. 

During the Great Patch Christmas Cookie Bake-off, we sought out your sweet treats in an attempt to find the best Christmas cookie in the Chicago area. 

And you did not disappoint. 

Patch Associate Regional Editors Steven Jack and Lauren Traut took on the daunting task of sampling the cookies and choosing a winner. For the winner, our sponsor and baking supply company Wilton chipped in a $100 gift card for use at their Darien store.  

THE WINNERS ARE:

FIRST PLACE: Kendra K., (Oak Forest Patch) with her peppermint cookie.

Why we loved it: The cookie was a little piece of Christmas in our mouths. The mingling of the peppermint pieces and white chocolate reminded us of the ever-popular Thin Mint Girl Scout cookie—but even better. Perfect amount of crunchy and chewy. Impossible to resist finishing the entire cookie. "If there are cookies in Heaven, this is what they'll look like," said my co-worker Steven Jack. 

SECOND PLACE: Kathryn Johnson (Elmhurst Patch), with her Bruna Kakor

Why we loved it:  Initially, we were intrigued by the look of this, a Swedish treat that seemed understated next to some intricately decorated sugar cookie entries. I wondered quietly if this would be the sleeper entry—simple in appearance, but pleasing to the taste buds. We were both thrilled with the rich, sugary taste, the syrup a unique flavor in a Christmas cookie. 

THIRD PLACE: Lea Anne Stoughton (Plainfield Patch), with her Raspberry Meringues

Why we loved it: These delicious puffs of sweet raspberry flavor melted in our mouths. Enough said. 

Thank you to our participants. All leftover cookies were donated to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, a children's charity dedicated to providing a solution for at-risk children in Chicago. Patch will contact you shortly to arrange for prize delivery. Each participant will receive Patch goodies.