Cookie Clash
Summer Edition Sets Sweet Records!
Peppermint Village - July 24, 2025
Santa’s Village was in full crumble mode yesterday as the Cookie Clash: Summer Edition returned for its ninth annual showdown. Held at the edge of Gingerbread Lane near the cooling groves of Peppermint Village, this flour-dusted spectacle brought together amateur bakers, seasoned cookie crafters, and hungry tasters from across Evela.
This year’s theme—“Cool Cookies for Hot Days”—challenged participants to craft summer-themed treats that were both tasty and visually refreshing. Think lemon-mint snowflakes, frozen fudge sandwich stars, and one astonishing entry shaped like a polar bear wearing sunglasses, complete with a dab of berry jam as sunscreen on its nose.
The event kicked off just after the morning sleigh whistle, with forty-two competitors from all over the island setting up booths beneath striped awnings. Each station featured a colorful display, with samples laid out on chilled platters shaped like snowmen, seashells, or even little cookie-sized surfboards. Magical cooling spells were authorized (within reason), keeping both cookies and competitors from melting under the midday sun.
Judging was overseen by none other than Crumbelle Frosting, head of the village bakery, and three rotating guest judges: Mayor Brenna Dal of Rostlic, Chef Taffy Sticklewhirl from Cobblerton Village, and the mischievously enthusiastic Dexter Tinker, who was supposed to stick to one sample per booth. (He did not.)
Each cookie was evaluated for creativity, summer spirit, taste, and texture. One surprise entry—“Tropi-Cool Sandies” by young elf baker Liora Brightwell—featured toasted coconut, banana essence, and a decorative dusting of shimmering green sugar sprinkles. The presentation mimicked the sparkle of Green Fairy Dust, but rest assured: only kitchen-safe ingredients were used. “It’s like a beach bonfire and a sea breeze had a bake-off,” declared Crumbelle, jotting a perfect score.
Among the other crowd favorites were:
- “Peachy Igloos”: chilled shortbread domes with a peach jam core.
- “Crispy Coral Reefs”: sugar-dusted cookies dyed in ocean hues with piped coral details.
- “Berry Blizzard Bark”: peppermint-chocolate shards with dried blueberries and swirls of white fudge.
The Children’s Clash Corner, featuring young bakers under the age of 30 (that’s quite young by elven standards), was abuzz with excitement. Human visitors from the Elfling Exchange Program partnered with elf students from the Peppermint Village Schoolhouse to create whimsical cookie critters. One trio’s “Campfire Caterpillars”—rolled gingerbread logs dotted with chocolate “eyes”—earned a ribbon for Most Adorable.
After hours of sampling and deliberation, the Golden Whisk Trophy was awarded to Tilo Figskate of Reindeer Village, whose “Frozen Lemon Lanterns” stunned the judges with their glowing sugar-glass centers and gentle citrus sparkle. When asked about the secret ingredient, Tilo winked and whispered, “A pinch of snowmelt and a tickle of sunshine.”
As the sun dipped behind the sugar spruce trees, elves gathered on picnic blankets to enjoy the final tasting round. A surprise visit from Santa himself added to the cheer, especially when he playfully declared that every single cookie was now officially on the Nice List.
Cleanup crews led by volunteers from Restful Wood began the sweeping and spell-setting as twilight fell, though plenty of cookies mysteriously vanished during the process. “We’re not saying it was Dexter,” said Trever Inkpot with a grin, “but someone left a trail of crumbs leading to the harmonica practice field.”
With bellies full and spirits high, Santa’s Village declared this year’s Cookie Clash a resounding success—and plans are already underway for a “Fall Frost-Off” rematch later this year.
Update: 7/24/25