CHRISTMAS COOKIE CONTEST BEGINS TODAY

Cookies. Cakes. Biscuits. Buns. Over the years, cookies have been known by many names. The word cookie literally comes from the Dutch word, koekje, which means little cake.

And when thoughts turn to the mouthwatering smells and tastes of Christmas, cookies take the forefront.

Today, the Southeast Missourian begins its first-ever Colossal Cookie Contest.

Recipes will be accepted through Wednesday, Nov. 19. As many recipes as possible will be published in the Dec. 3 edition of the Southeast Missourian, in plenty of time for holiday baking.

This marks the third in a series of successful home-baked cooking contests, sponsored by the Southeast Missourian. The Meatloaf Lovers Contest in the spring of 1996 netted nearly 50 recipes. More than 200 recipes were entered in the Devilish Dessert Contest in February of 1997.

Christmas and cookies go hand-in-hand, said Dr. Tom Harte, who writes a biweekly food column for the Southeast Missourian.

"At our house, it wouldn't be Christmas without Hello Dollys," he said. These cookies are made from graham crackers, chocolate chips, coconut, walnuts and Eagle brand milk. "We always make a double recipe and call it Hello Dolly Parton."

There are many different categories of cookies, but this contest won't limit the entries.

Some cookies are purely decorative.

Others are simply decadent in calories and taste.

Some have appeal in the ease in which the entire family can join in the fun.

"Christmas cookies are the time to not skimp," said Harte. "It is the time to use the very best ingredients you can."

Ten semi-finalists will be asked to bake up two dozen of their best Christmas cookies and bring them to the Southeast Missourian Monday, Nov. 24 for a taste test by a community panel of cookie and cooking experts.

The winner will receive a 26-week subscription to the Southeast Missourian -- a $76.25 value. Second place will receive a 13-week subscription, a $38.50 value, and a comic strip umbrella. Third place will receive a comic strip umbrella.

The remaining seven semifinalists will receive a Jean Bell Mosley "Seeds on the Wind" hardcover book.

All finalists will be photographed and interviewed about their cookie capers. All recipes will also appear on the Southeast Missourian's web site.

There are basically five categories of cookies: drop, bar, molded/pressed, refrigerator and rolled.

All will be welcome in the Colossal Cookie Contest. Judges will choose a variety of cookies as finalists -- representing a broad range of imaginative cookies.

DETAILS, DETAILS

Entries can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to the Southeast Missourian, beginning today.

Fax: 573-335-7288

Mail: 301 Broadway

Box 699

Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

E-mail: jadams@semissourian.com

Deadline: Wednesday, Nov. 19

Winners: Ten semi-finalists will be asked to bring in two dozen of their favorite Christmas cookies for judging by a panel of community judges.

Prizes: First place will receive a 6-month subscription to the Southeast Missourian. Second place will receive a 13-week subscription and a comic strip umbrella. Third place will receive a comic strip umbrella. All other semi-finalists will receive a copy of Jean Bell Mosley's "Seeds on the Wind" hardcover book. All semifinalists will be interviewed for the paper.