Co-owner of 2tarts Bakery in New Braunfels, Ashley Landerman won the Food Network "Christmas Cookie Challenge" with her creative cookie flavors and decorating skills. The nationally televised episode first aired Nov. 4 on the Food Network.
“The whole experience was incredible,” Landerman said. “From the moment I landed in Los Angeles, I was in awe of how the network managed everything. And, oh my God, their kitchen is absolutely stunning.”
Landerman competed against four other bakers and presented her cookies to celebrity judges Matt Adlard, Ree Drummond and Brandi Milloy before winning a $10,000 cash prize.
Competitors participated in two challenges, with two bakers each being eliminated after the first round.
The first challenge required bakers to create and decorate six cookies modeled after handcrafted Christmas gifts. The second challenge had the remaining three bakers create a cookie garland with various cookies while including smokey flavors such as paprika, smoked almonds, Gouda and scotch.
During the competition, Landerman created citrus sugar cookies decorated like stained-glass windows and homemade Christmas cards in the first round. She then incorporated Gouda shortbread and spicy gingersnap cookies into her Christmas garland.
Each of the different types of cookies Landerman created on the show will be available at 2tarts Bakery, 139 N. Castell Ave., Ste. 300, New Braunfels, during the holiday season.
