Checking out the winners in the Dallas Morning News-Central Market Holiday Cookie Contest has become a holiday ritual for local cooks.

This year, judges plowed through more than 250 recipes to come up with the final 15, plus the new Cookie Man.

The winners were chosen last month in our annual contest, which benefits the Dallas Morning News Charities to help the hungry and homeless.

Winners in each of five categories – Bar, Easy, Family, Decadent and Decorated – took home gift cards from Central Market: $150 for first, $100 for second and $50 for third.

For her winning Cookie Man entry, Mary Mathis will get a stack of cookbooks. Her Lord a Leaping entry (evaluated on looks alone) serves as the official logo for next year's contest.

The judges are an especially astute group of culinary pros: David Brawley, pastry chef and instructor at the Art Institute of Dallas; Tsuki Caspary-Brooks, pastry chef for State & Allen Lounge; Shari Carlson, owner/pastry chef of Dessert Dreams; Abbey Renegar, pastry chef at Rathbun's Blue Plate Kitchen; Julia Lopez of La Duni; and Central Market's Dallas general manager Steve Tarantino and graphic designer Jeremy Gilbert.

The judges evaluated entries on flavor, technique and appearance and declared this year's competition better than ever. "The artistry of the decorated cookies is amazing," said Caspary-Brooks.

"The level of flavor is definitely up," said Brawley.

This year's winning Cookie Man, a cookie judged solely based on his appearance, was made by Mary Mathis of Irving.

The big trend among this year's entries: toffee bits. Orange flavoring was another popular choice.

As the finalists waited for the judges' decision, they visited, sampled each other's cookies and shared recipes. The group included newbies and seasoned veterans.

One of the youngest was Mary Gauntt, 21, of Denton, who's studying business at the University of North Texas. "I'd like to open a bakery," said the first-time finalist. "I thought this would be good experience toward that."

Third-time finalist Randy Pruett, 54, of Carrollton brought his "Southern Comfort-style easy" cookie entry. While waiting, he was fielding texts from his testers – co-workers, cheering him on from his office. "They're rooting for me, and have already declared me winner," he said.

Many of the entrants know each other from competing at the State Fair of Texas as well as the cookie contest. Linda Howe, 59, of Garland remarked on the camaraderie. "Even though we all want to win, it's like a brotherhood," she said.

When the winners are announced, it is to whoops, hollering and applause. There are congratulations all around, and more than a few quips about strategies being planned for next year.

"It's a good feeling," said Sandra Entrican, a winner for her 10th year. "We look forward to seeing each other, and seeing what everyone has made."

And to participating in a good cause, too. This year's contest raised $1,126. The contest has raised more than $17,000 for charity over the years, and inspired many to get fired up to start their own holiday baking at home.

Valerie Jarvie is a Dallas freelance writer.

Cookie recipes were tested by Valerie Jarvie, John Lose, Alma Lozoya, Martha Sheridan and Karen Elizabeth Watts.