Join our most fun and exciting December 2024 JOC Cooking Challenge!
After taking a season off, I’m thrilled to announce that our quarterly Cooking Challenge is back! Since it’s the holiday season—the tastiest time of the year—I’ve chosen a festive treat you can make to enjoy at a party or gift to your loved ones.
This Month’s Recipe Challenge: Matcha Checkerboard Cookies
The recipe for this challenge is Matcha Checkerboard Cookies! Get excited because these whimsical, eye-catching snacks with a green tea flavor are perfect for a birthday party, cookie swap, dessert tray, or holiday cookie box.
Please take time to read the entire post and recipe first before you head to the kitchen.
If you have any recipe questions, please leave them in the comment section of the recipe post. If it’s related to the cooking challenge rules, please leave your comment below. We’re ready to help!
The Prizes!
This contest is open to everyone worldwide. We will randomly select 3 winners at the end of the challenge using random.org. Each winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card.
Everyone who has completed submission for the JOC Cooking Challenge is automatically entered into the prize draw.
Please note that we will NOT select winners based on the creations, but you need to make sure your submission meets the scope of the recipe.
How to Join the JOC Cooking Challenge
Make Matcha Checkerboard Cookies and follow the recipe as closely as possible so your final dish will look similar to mine.
*Please note that the submission rule has changed this year.*
To enter for your chance to win the prize (only one entry per person), please complete the following two steps:
- Email us your picture: Send one picture of your final dish via email (contest@justonecookbook.com) before 12 pm PST on December 31, 2024, and;
- Leave a (honest) star rating and feedback on the Matcha Checkerboard Cookies recipe post: Use the same email address as your photo submission. We’d love to hear about your fun cooking moments, kitchen mishaps, or any challenges and feedback you encounter along the way. We know sharing takes an extra step, and we truly appreciate your time and insights!
Make sure to follow these two steps to complete your submission!
Feel free to share your picture on social media using the #JOCcookingchallenge hashtag.
JOC Cooking Challenge December 2024 Winners
- Anna
- Jan
- Lisa N
Congratulations! We contacted the winners via email.
Readers’ Recipe Submissions (106 Entries)
Past Cooking Challenges & Recipes
This is a quarterly online event on Just One Cookbook. We host the challenge in March, June, September, and December. We’d love for you to join us in each challenge! To receive the updates, be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
- March 2022 – Mosaic Sushi
- June/July 2022 – Shokupan (Japanese Milk Bread)
- September 2022 – Shio Ramen
- December 2022 – Purin (Japanese Custard Pudding)
- March 2023 – The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House
- June/July 2023 – Shoyu Ramen
- September 2023 – Cook for Maui (choose one of 5 recipes including Poke Bowl)
- December 2023 – Chocolate Gateau
- March 2024 – Okonomiyaki
- June 2024 – Chicken Teriyaki
- December 2024 – Matcha Checkerboard Cookies
I love how each set is a little different! In this era of perfectionism, it’s nice to see a creative challenge yield such a diverse set of beautiful cookies 🙂
Hi Brenna! Thank you for your kind feedback! 🥰
Oh, I hope you might continue this in 2025 – sounds fun!
Hello, there! Thank you for reading Nami’s post. We’re hoping to see your entry next year! Happy cooking! 🤗
I just found this. I hope it continues into 2025. It sounds like a lot of fun.
Hello, Kate! Yes! We will continue to post the next challenge. We hope to see your entry next time! Happy cooking! 🤗
Wow, the December JOC Cooking Challenge sounds so exciting! Matcha Checkerboard Cookies are perfect for the holiday season. I love the idea of making these as gifts or for a festive party. Thanks for bringing back this fun challenge!
Hi there! Thank you for checking out Nami’s post!
We hope you enjoy making these cookies. Happy Baking!
These look amazing! But I’d like to make them nut free. Apart from flavor, is there a reason for the almond flour? Thought I’d sub regular white flour. Thanks
Hello, Anne! Thank you for trying Nami’s recipe!
Almond flour makes cookie crisp, but cake flour can be used instead. We hope you like baking these cookies!
I can’t have sugar, is it OK to substitute with stevia?
Hi Chelsea! I had no experience in making the icebox cookies with stevia, but it looks like there are some tips involved, in case you’re not aware. Here is what I’ve found:
1. Choose the right stevia: Use a stevia blend specifically designed for baking, as pure stevia is much sweeter than sugar and doesn’t provide the bulk or texture sugar does.
2. Adjust measurements: Follow the conversion instructions on your stevia product. Typically, 1 teaspoon of pure stevia extract equals 1 cup of sugar, but blends may have a 1:1 ratio.
3. Add a bulking agent: Since sugar provides structure, consider adding a bulking agent like almond flour or extra all-purpose flour to maintain the dough’s consistency.
4. Chilling is key: Like traditional icebox cookies, chill the dough thoroughly before slicing. Stevia doesn’t caramelize like sugar, so proper chilling ensures the cookies hold their shape during baking.
I look forward to seeing your cookies! Good luck! 🙂
Hi, it sounds great 👍
Good luck, Angeline! Looking forward to your entry!