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Holiday baked good bracket: Vote in the quarter finals to crown the ultimate winter treat

Holiday baked good bracket: It's down to the semifinals

It's been a week of intense voting on CBC Calgary's The Homestretch holiday baked good showdown, and we're now in the quarter finals.

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

So far, eight treats have left their competition in the dust.

Voting in this round is going to extend through the weekend and Monday, with finals on Dec. 19 and the winning treat revealed Dec. 20.

Here are the snacks left vying for the title of ultimate holiday sweet.

Butter tarts vs. vinaterta

On Day 1 of voting, Terri Campbell, The Homestretch's producer, won out over gingerbread with a Canadian staple: butter tarts.

The Homestretch naturalist Brian Keating had a slightly more outside-the-box pick with vinaterta, or Vienna cake, which conquered olliebollen.

(Can't see the poll below? Click here to vote for butter tarts vs. vinaterta. Voting closes 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17.)

Shortbread vs. torrone

The Homestretch's associate producer Ellis Choe picked buttery, melt-in-your mouth shortbread, which handily defeated fruitcake on Day 2.

And CBC Calgary News at Six host Rob Brown's choice, torrone, the nougat made of honey, sugar and egg white, won over sufganiyot in a nail-biting race that was almost too close to call.

(Can't see the poll below? Click here to vote for shortbread vs. torrone. Voting closes 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17.)

Pumpkin pie vs. sugar cookies

Tracy Fuller, The Homestretch's associate producer/director, made the case for classic pumpkin pie, which won out over Christmas pudding on Day 3.

Afternoon newsreader Dave White also won on Day 3, with another classic — sugar cookies — leaving savoury cheese puffs behind.

(Can't see the poll below? Click here to vote for pumpkin pie vs. sugar cookies. Voting closes 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17.)

Nanaimo bars vs. turtles

Money columnist Bruce Sellery is throwing his bet behind Nanaimo bars, the classic Canadian dessert with chocolate ganache and custard icing, which beat out molasses crinkle cookies on Day 4 of voting.

And business columnist Paul Haavardsrud's pick, turtles, the chocolatey pecan treats, defeated brownies.

(Can't see the poll below? Click here to vote for nanaimo bars vs. turtles. Voting closes 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17.)