Tammy Jobbins said she’ll be whipping up something new for the Chamber of Commerce Cookie and Candy Contest, held annually at the Haines Visitor Center. The deadline for entries in adult and junior divisions is 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, with judging to follow.
Two dozen samples are required for each entry and an unlimited number of entries is allowed. Judging criteria include taste, appearance and originality.
Jobbins is something of a defending champion in the contest. She has entered cookies for more than a decade and won the cookie division several times.
One of her top entries was “Holiday Moments,” a ball-shaped, shortbread-like cookie, she said. “It’s really light. It melts in your mouth. It was dangerous.”
Jobbins said she’s always on the lookout for new recipes and she adds her own twist by customizing them. She keeps her recipes secret, at least until after the competition. “I’ll share anything then.”
Making the cookies is a holiday tradition at the Jobbins home. She also bakes them for the “Cookies by the Pound” exchange at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Winners in the contest get gift certificates to local businesses.
This year’s panel of judges includes businesswoman Patty Campbell and borough employees Michelle Webb and Krista Kielsmeier.
Visitor information coordinator Tammy Piper said requiring two dozen cookies provides the visitor center with enough homemade treats to serve families who visit there the following day to get photos with Santa Claus.
Photos with Santa will be taken from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8.
For more information, contact the visitor center at 766-2234.