The Best Sugar Cookies in Orange County? We Found Them

These Sugar Cookies Are Tiny Works of Art

August 06, 2025

This summer, we put Orange County’s top sugar cookie artists to the test in our first-ever Summer in South OC Sugar Cookie Showdown.

More than 50 local bakers were nominated, each celebrated for their detailed designs and delicious bakes. From that pool, only a select few were invited to submit entries for judging.

Six judges (armed with clipboards and an eye for art and flavor) judged entries across six categories:

👀 Appearance/Presentation
🎯 Theme Execution
💡 Originality
🎨 Icing/Decoration Skill
💥 Texture
😋 Flavor

With a total of 360 possible points, only three bakers earned a spot on the podium. The entries that rose to the top weren’t just beautiful—they told a story, celebrated local culture, and tasted incredible. Here are the winners.

@thesceneoc

The Best Sugar Cookies in Orange County? This summer, we hosted our first-ever Summer in South OC Sugar Cookie Showdown, where 50+ bakers ... See more

🥇 First Place: Kristi’s Couture Confections

1st place goes to Kristi from Kristi’s Couture Confections

Kristi’s cookies were a tour de force of both technique and flavor. Her entry earned near-unanimous praise, with the Mickey Mouse Ferris wheel cookie drawing admiration for its intricate detail and precision.

The ocean scene was a standout in execution, and the Balboa Bar cookie was noted for its originality and nostalgia.

But what truly sealed the win? The taste. Kristi’s cookies had a buttery texture and just the right sweetness, earning the highest flavor score of the competition. In total she earned 343 points out of 360.

Before taking first place in our Summer in South OC cookie contest, Kristi had already made a name for herself.

In 2024, Kristi clinched 1st Place and was named Division Winner at the prestigious Orange County Fair Culinary Competition, solidifying her status as one of OC’s elite cookie decorators.

This year, she earned back-to-back first-place honors, with standout entries like the “Things with Wings” series showcasing advanced frosting techniques and creative gelatin detailing.

🥈 Second Place: Sugar and Butter

Wendy’s cookies captured the essence of coastal living with charm and imagination. The Laguna Beach lifeguard tower was a standout for structure and detail, and her retro-inspired VW bus was a judge favorite—clever, clean, and so very South OC.

The overall execution and cohesive palette pulled the set together beautifully. Wendy, who lives in Laguna Beach, is a naturally creative person. She’s an interior decorator but says that cookie decorating is more fun!

Wendy’s cookie is on the left, the real deal is on the right.

🥉 Third Place: Tate’s Treats

Third place goes to San Juan Capistrano resident Jessica Tate.

Jessica’s set delivered strong South OC vibes with playful color and spot-on theme execution. Her swimsuit, palm tree, and “Laguna Beach” cookies all gave a nod to summer essentials, and her “South Swell” design tied the collection together with a pop of color.

Judges praised the clarity of her theme and the crispness of her designs. While flavor came in just behind the top two, the cookies had a nice texture and a polished finish.

Final Takeaway
This year’s contest proved what we already knew—South OC is home to a vibrant community of cookie artists who bring serious talent (and flavor) to the table. These three finalists didn’t just bake—they told stories, evoked memories, and captured the season in sugar.

Got a cookie artist you think should be on our radar? Hit reply and let us know—we’re always hungry for more.

In case you missed it

Reply

or to participate.