Holiday baked good bracket: Day 2 of voting to choose the ultimate winter treat

CBC Calgary's The Homestretch is hosting a fierce competition this holiday season — a serious showdown to determine the ultimate holiday baked good.

Columnists and members of the Homestretch team have each chosen the one holiday treat they would feel lost without during this time of year.

Sixteen baked goods are going to face off online, two-by-two, March Madness-style, until only two baked goods are left standing.

It's Day 2 of voting, with finals on Dec. 18 and the chosen treat revealed on Dec. 20.

On Monday, butter tarts handily dethroned gingerbread — 62 per cent to 38 per cent — and vinaterta smashed olliebollen — 66 per cent to 34 per cent.

Let the best baked good win.

Fruitcake vs. shortbread

Jenny Howe, the Homestretch's traffic reporter, has a dark horse pick: the oft-maligned fruitcake, made with candied or dried fruit, nuts and spices, and sometimes soaked in rum or brandy.

The Homestretch's associate producer Ellis Choe might have a safer bet: buttery, simply melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies.

(Can't see the poll below? Click here to vote for fruitcake vs. shortbread. Voting closes midnight Tuesday, Dec. 11)

Sufganiyot​ vs. torrone

Eli Glasner, the Homestretch's film critic, is championing sufganiyot, round jelly doughnuts topped with powdered sugar that are traditionally eaten during Hanukkah.

But CBC TV host Rob Brown says torrone, the nougat made of honey, sugar, egg white and almonds, will take the cake.

(Can't see the poll below? Click here to vote for sufganiyot vs. torrone. Voting closes midnight Tuesday, Dec. 11)