Christmas Cookie Challenge

Host Eddie Jackson welcomes five fabulously festive cookie makers into Santa's workshop. First up is the decorating challenge where the bakers craft two different decorated Christmas tree cookies. After judges Ree Drummond, Dan Langan and Aarti Sequeira size up the trees, they must release two cookie makers from the competition. The remaining three finalists are "puzzled" by the display challenge where they must create a giant cookie puzzle based on a Christmas carol. All the pieces will fit together for the one talented cookie maker who will leave the North Pole $10,000 richer.

Five cookie makers enter the workshop to find host Eddie Jackson lounging in a beach chair under a palm tree; the bakers are challenged to create cookies perfect for a Christmas in the tropics.

Eddie Jackson cherishes homemade gifts that come from the heart, so he asks five of the top cookie makers to create cookies that look like handcrafted gifts. Judges Matt Adlard, Ree Drummond and Brandi Milloy pick their favorite homespun creation. Then the competitors have to create complex cookie garlands worthy of stringing up in front of the fireplace, and they fire up their cookies with smoky ingredients like paprika, smoked almonds, Gouda and scotch. When the smoke clears, one cookie maker is left standing with the $10,000 prize.

Five talented cookie makers create interchangeable mix-and-match Christmas character cookies. Then the cookie workshop comes alive with the sound of music as the bakers craft 3-D cookie displays inspired by holiday music. They must incorporate ingredients that evoke classic Christmas songs, like pears, figs and chestnuts, into their cookie compositions. Guest judge Gesine Prado joins hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson to decide which Christmas music cookie display hits the high notes, and when the final curtain drops, one cookie maker will be singing a sweet tune with the $10,000 prize.

Five former Christmas Cookie Challenge champions return to the workshop for another round of competition, and hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson have devised their toughest cookie tasks for the occasion. First, the cookie makers have to create an entire Christmas village puzzle out of six perfectly interlocking cookies. Then they craft the tallest cookie displays ever seen, making massive Christmas mantels complete with realistic fireplaces. The heat is on as they infuse their cookies with warm spices like coriander, cloves, chile powder and paprika, but only one champion will win for the second time and claim the "Best of the Best" title.

For the first time ever on Christmas Cookie Challenge, hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson invite four couples to compete in the workshop! First, the lovebirds have to create two personalized Christmas gift tags -- one for each of them. After one couple is eliminated, the remaining pairs construct a fortress fit to withstand a spirited snowball fight along with a ready pile of "snowballs." One loving couple will leave happily ever after with the $10,000 prize and the title of Christmas Cookie Champions.

Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson are hosting a dramatic opening night in the Christmas cookie playhouse, where four gingerbread masters craft cookie stick puppets. As one puppet master receives a standing ovation and an advantage in the next round, another baker is sent into the wings. The remaining three cookie makers then build grand gingerbread puppet theaters and perform a play for Ree and Eddie! Their massive stick puppet theaters will have to incorporate classic lollipop flavors like orange cream, butterscotch, root beer, cinnamon or espresso. The gingerbreader who receives the biggest applause will win $10,000 and the Golden Ornament.

It's a real barn burner in the workshop as hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson ask four countrified cookie makers to share how farm animals hoedown for the holidays at the North Pole. After this challenge, one farmhand will have to pick up sticks, while the one with the best Christmas critter cookie designs will rustle up an advantage for the next round. Then, it's time to bring in the holiday harvest as the cookie makers tinsel up festive-looking 3D Christmas tractors. They'll have to include a farm-fresh herb in their cookies: thyme, basil, lavender or tarragon.  The cookie maker who crafts the most festive tractor will reap $10,000 and the Golden Ornament.