Earlier in 2022, Cookie Connection’s popular Practice Bakes Perfect challenges got a makeover, and Challenge #51, which opened on July 20, was the first challenge bearing this brand new look. Woo hoo!

Hosted by longtime Cookie Connection contributor Manu Pezzopane, each challenge now launches with an interactive video component that is designed to teach skills or techniques, and spur ideas for the ensuing challenge. With fewer rules and direct access to the cookie industry’s leading experts, these new challenges pose even greater opportunity for learning and growth than the widely lauded Practice Bakes Perfect series. The first featured guest was Julia with a challenge centered around the shaping and covering of 3-D cookies.

Entries were due on October 4, 2022, and the results were nothing short of astounding. You can see many of the impressive entries in Manu’s challenge recap post. For the complete rationale behind the challenge makeover, see this Cookie Connection post. And while you’re on the site, please peruse the rest of it and consider becoming a member (it’s free!). Just click the “JOIN NOW” button on the Cookie Connection home page and follow the prompts.

And don’t forget: The learning isn’t over just because this challenge has closed. To view Julia’s challenge demo (which was filmed in two parts), click on the “LEARN MORE” button, and you’ll be taken to the “TUTORIALS: Guest Series” section of this site. There you’ll find Part 1 and Part 2 videos available for sale for a nominal fee.