This Is TASTE 695: Holiday Cookie Boot Camp with Vaughn Vreeland & Marissa Rothkopf
Dec 1, 2025
Join Vaughn Vreeland, a cookbook author renowned for his cookie creations, and Marissa Rothkopf, a journalist obsessed with chocolate chip cookies, as they dive into the sweet world of holiday baking. Discover Vaughn's tips for winning cookie competitions and the importance of balancing familiar flavors with surprises. Marissa shares her insights on cookie textures and perfecting recipes, including must-have techniques for chewy cookies. Together, they explore common baking mistakes and inventive flavors that will elevate your cookie game this season!
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Tour Stories Fueled The Cookie Book
- Vaughn toured and heard many people's cookie memories tied to family and nostalgia.
- Those stories fueled his book and public events on cookies.
Cookie Week Built A Franchise
- Cookie Week became a New York Times franchise combining video, editorial, events, and a cookie truck.
- That cross-format enthusiasm helped justify a full cookie cookbook project.
Balance Familiarity With Surprise
- Choose a cookie that balances familiarity and intrigue to win a holiday competition.
- Aim for a soft, chewy texture and a flavor twist like Mexican hot chocolate or gochujang to stand out.
