Is there a dynamite cookie recipe sitting in your kitchen drawer? After all, it is the season for family, friends, and really decadent cookies.

Prove yourself in Marcus Restaurants’ third annual Milwaukee’s Favorite Cookie Contest, rx  sponsored by Roundy’s and ThirdCoast Digest. The winner of the contest gets an overnight stay and dinner for two at one of their choice at one of the following hotels:The Pfister, InterContinental Milwaukeeor Hilton Milwaukee. Each aforementioned hotels’ restaurants, including Mason Street Grill, Kil@watand Milwaukee ChopHouse will also feature the winning cookie.

Cassy Scrima, the Milwaukee area Marketing Director for Marcus, revealed the culinary team who has the tough job of being the contest selection panel that tastes the scrumptious submissions. The panel is led by marketing chef Robert Fedorko, who narrows down the field, and pastry chef Jennifer Carlson, who selects the winning recipe.

What sets apart a holiday cookie from your average everyday cookie?

“Holiday cookies tend to be a little more creative and a little more decadent,” said Scrima. “Who doesn’t wait for this time of year and get excited to take a bit of grandma’s secret recipe molasses cookies, or the cut-outs your children or grandchildren hand-decorated especially for you?”

Five-hundred of the winning cookies will be baked and donated to Hope House, a local emergency and transitional living facility, which makes this contest that much more special to Marcus Restaurants.

“For us, being able to give back to the community both by recognizing our winner and by delivering the winning cookies to Hope House, it makes the Holidays really special,” says Scrima.

Marcus encourages bakers to keep submitting for the ultimate holiday cookie contest. Bakers have until December 18 to make some cookie magic.