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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#71: Sugar and Spice

One of my favorite parts of the holidays is baking cookies. Or, to be more honest, eating cookies — but you can’t have one without the other! From peppermint to gingerbread to iced sugar cookies, there are so many mouth-watering choices, and that’s just in my own culture. The flavors get even more varied and delectable as you head around the world.

But whether you’re a professional pastry chef in real life or someone whose cookies turn out looking more like lumps of coal, in stories our desserts can be whatever we want them to be. So get your imaginations preheating, because this week we’re going to be exploring all the different reasons and flavors that drive people to pick up the mixing bowl.

This week's prompts

Write about a group of people determined to win an award for making the biggest cookie ever.

High School – 62 stories

Write about someone investigating a break-in at a bakery. The only thing missing? A very secret ingredient.

Mystery – 106 stories

Write about two people who run rival bakeries, but fall in love during their town’s annual holiday festival.

Romance – 137 stories

Write about someone trying to recreate a grandparent’s signature baked good from memory.

Kids – 161 stories

Write about someone hosting a cookie exchange as a cover to hide the true reason for inviting one of their guests.

Dark – 141 stories

Stories

“The Biscuit Burglar ” by Lucy Newman

Submitted to Contest #71

"Heavens to Betsy! We've been robbed!" Eleanor Baker had exclaimed, throwing her pruney hands into the air. Minding her nightgown, she stepped out of the passenger's side of a minivan. David, her grey-haired son, walked around from the other side.I was a twenty-one year old rookie at the time. It was my first time on the graveyard shift and I'd never dealt with a break-in before. Back-up was on the way, but Eleanor was already storming into the store front."Ma'am, please stand back. Back-up is on the way and we don't know if the robber is st...

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“The Mystery of the Golden Seed” by Keshena Booker

Submitted to Contest #71

Rowan’s father was a wizard, his mother was a mundane, so he felt his knowledge of both worlds made him effective in his chosen vocation to investigate what crimes occurred in the county. He looked like a wizard-the archetypal copper red hair and emerald green eyes of one blessed with magic-and had an old wizarding name, which made him trustworthy to the Arcanes, but he was able to understand the mundane point of view, as well.However, work and solving crime was the last thing on Rowan’s mind as he made his way to his favorite bakery in Hall...

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“the missing ingredient ” by Junior Missakidi

Submitted to Contest #71

It was a lovely morning a day like any other when margareta opened her bakery, and in less than 5 minutes the bakery was clouded with clients and Alfredo wasn't there. clients shouting, "I need two gingersnap cherry cheesecakes." "I want the famous flute gana." Margareta was pressured and was trying to get all the orders right, and just as she was about to put the gingersnap cake in the oven Alfredo appeared. Margareta said, "Alfredo where have you been? give me a hand." Alfredo said, "Alright alright, I'm here aren't I." Margareta sai...

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“Alice Pritchard and the Case of the Broken-In Bakery” by Ahana C.

Submitted to Contest #71

Footsteps vibrated against the marble walls and bounced back towards the cobblestone street. Three figures appeared round the corner - two policemen with a young man in handcuffs were striding towards the police station. The handcuffed man was in his early twenties, with wavy blonde hair that dropped down till his shoulders. His eyes were brimming with tears, and he was trying his hardest not to break free of the firm policemen who were seizing him. 'For the thousandth time, I'm innocent,' he said in a trembling voice, shivering all over. 'S...

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“Cabernet Sauvignon” by J K

Submitted to Contest #71

The baker stood staring out of his window, the aged man was surprisingly tall and spry looking, with pale skin and a dignity to his character that went beyond his stained apron and worn workman hands. The squad car pulled up outside his shop, He barely saw it in the ethereal reflection of the window and the distorting droplets of rain crawling there way down the thick glass. Past the reflection he saw a single man step out of the car, a tall man whose black suit was hidden under his long brown coat and his eyes shadowed under his fashionable...

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“Coded” by Chilaka Praise

Submitted to Contest #71

Angela loves to bake perfectly as she was taught by her late Mom. She has this aspiring spirit of becoming the best Baker in town. Obviously, she's gonna be. She works in a bakery in a small town where she lives. This bakery is the best in town which was named "Tasty baking" by a granny which she is normally reffered to. Granny employed Angela in her bakery since she was twelve because she saw the skills she has and noticed that Angela had this great talent. She observed that in five years, Angela has been going for competitions but since s...

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“ Break-In at The Sweet Shop” by Joyce Schook

Submitted to Contest #71

Abby emerged from the warmth of her SUV and hustled across the sidewalk to the Sweet Shop bakery. The door was heavy and icy cold to the touch. Abby struggled to hang on to the handle against the fierce wind. Once inside the bakery her nose was met with the most intoxicating scents. Everything from sugary donuts to fresh baked breads. Each one smelt better than next. Abby stepped toward the glass display cases. The aroma was heavenly. A tall slender girl appeared from the back room holding a long metal tray full of gigantic cookies. She wor...

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“The Missing Cookie Plant” by Potterhead Aanya

Submitted to Contest #71

Oralie was having a busy day, a normal one, buzzing children coming through the gates of her bakery, fawning over their favourite cookies, always welcomed by her loving, welcoming face. Preoccupied parents rushing through the gates, trying to shush their children by buying the handmade treats for them. And the loving grandparents, stocking up their grandkids favourite treats for them. No one knew how Oralie’s cookies were so delicious they just were, she used many ingredients not all secrets, not all revealed. But the way they were made, a m...

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“The Great Chocolate Crumble Caper” by Daniel Brown

Submitted to Contest #71

Who would ransack Clarissa’s Confectionery- the bastion of all treats sweet, salty, and savory- for the chocolate crumble secret ingredient? Is it Charlie Confiserie, the clumsy and doe-eyed scone connoisseur who apologizes for everything? Could it be The Saccharine Twins, Eddie and Edie, who adore apple fritters and finishing each other’s... salted caramel? How about Sister Sucrose who has a hidden stash of blueberry jelly rolls and playing cards in her office? What about the slick-talker Dr. Dean Dextrose who needs a slice of pumpk...

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“Bake my Heart, Please.” by Elliott Lawrence

Submitted to Contest #71

"Newton grab the flour from the shelf please." The twitchy young man moved quickly to comply with the blonde man's request. Aziraphale is busy grabbing the tools,It is four in the morning and Featherlight Delights Bakery is preparing for the first day of the holiday season. The flour is being measured vanilla, ginger and sugar scent the air. The two men work side by side preparing the treats for the day. When the doors open at six the displays will be filled with cookies, cakes, buns and bread. -*-*-...

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“Love or Hate ” by Melia Mendoza

Submitted to Contest #71

I sighed as I looked around the store thinking of all that I needed to get for my gingerbread cookies. Eggs, milk, and butter I thought to myself what am I missing I tapped my chin deep in thought oh I know I ran to the gingerbread mix right as I was about to grab the mix I felt a hand cover my own. I looked over an saw that it was only Josh I hated Josh let me tell you a little bit about myself. I’m Adam Hill I’m eighteen years old and I’m a baker I own the Hills bakery. I’ve been working there since I was old enough to stand. Just li...

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“No Baker Left Behind” by Lauren Pagano

Submitted to Contest #71

Claudia was a woman of uncertainty. Small to monstrous moments were full of questions, ifs, and maybes. There was simply no getting around it. Claudia was uncertain if she would make next month's rent. Uncertain whether she'd made the right decision in breaking it off with James last Christmas. Uncertain whether she'd ever see the world beyond the small town of Pembroke. Quite frankly she was uncertain as to whether her dreams were even within reach anymore. Uncertainty might as well have been Claudia's middle name. But despite all this...

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“Under the Gingerbread-Flavored Mistletoe” by Stefanie Starnes

Submitted to Contest #71

The glimmering of the lights of the Christmas tree and other strings of lights lit up the whole entire Gustav house. Benji sat on the sofa, staring endlessly into the lights, trying to figure out what was missing to the recipe. He had failed a multitude of times, and even with his mom's help, he still failed."Benji, honey, don't be too upset, at least you tried." Benji's mother consoled.Benji just sighed and laid back on the couch. He shut his eyes and prayed to whatever God that was out there that he would find the missing ingredient."The f...

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“Coffee with Remy ” by Candice W

Submitted to Contest #71

“What’s the meaning of this?” “You’re lying.” Remy and Annie met each other with equal glares. Since the first day Annie had set up her bakery across the street from his, the two were constantly at each other’s throats. The whole town acknowledged it, but Mayor Selene chose not to. “If either of you attended the weekly meetings…” Selene trailed off, tapping the bulletin board. “But this is final. The people of Starsville are already looking forward to the change of pace! Toodles!” “But—” “Wait—” “Duty calls!” “You’re not even a real mayor!” ...

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“Love me not Bakery” by Shadow Morris

Submitted to Contest #71

Once upon a Time.. There were once two fancy bakeries in Activille. They were actually, two fancy rival bakeries that is... One fancy Bakery owner was named Jeff. Jeff baked breads of all sorts. Very Fancy breads and pasteries. Jeff at the age of only 21, has already won 5 blue ribbons! Jeff was determined to sell his special breads during the Activille annual holiday festivale. Jeff just hoped the new bakery across town wouldn't try to sell their cakes or even attend. Because their cake shop was so overrated in eyes. Jeff absolutely hated t...

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$50

Prize money

607

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 11, 2020 EST

Won by A.Dot Ram 🏆

Title: The Craving

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

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