Southeast Missourian gears up for 'Holiday Best'

The ghosts and goblins of Halloween have passed but it won't be long before visions of sugarplums are dancing through your head. The Thanksgiving holiday and Christmas season are upon us.

Grocery stores already have display aisles of baking supplies and their circulars announce specials on ingredients you'll need for holiday baking.

Whether it's a heavenly divinity recipe that Grandma used to make or Aunt Carol's fudge, the Southeast Missourian wants to know your recipe.

Holiday meals, parties and gatherings wouldn't be complete without the candy and sweet treats that make the season festive.

Peppermint candy canes crushed into sugar cookies, iced bars filled with pumpkins and pecans or gooey fudge pieces that melt in your mouth are all part of the "Holiday's Best."

Again this year the Southeast Missourian is looking for the best Christmas treats around. The "Holiday Best" candy contest begins today.

Area cooks are invited to share their favorite Christmas candy and treat recipes with our readers. Recipes must be submitted on an 8-1/2-by-11 sheet of paper, typed or legibly handwritten. Contact information with the cook's name, address and telephone number also should be included with each submission.

Entries will be accepted through 5 p.m. Nov. 30. A panel of judges, including columnists Tom Harte and Susan McClanahan, will select the winning recipes.

Semifinalists will be asked to bake their holiday treats and bring them to the Southeast Missourian offices for judging. Winners will be announced and the winning recipes printed in the Dec. 8 Southeast Missourian.

Enter your favorite cookie recipes by mailing them to the Holiday Best contest c/o Southeast Missourian, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.

You can also e-mail entries to features editor Laura Johnston at ljohnston@semissourian.com. Be sure to include "Holiday Best" in the subject line.