SPRINKLE’S COOKIE COUNTDOWN
By Daniella Kaufman
WC 249

A baking elf named Sprinkle makes
the Cookie Countdown treats
to help the elves reach Christmas day
with energizing sweets.

“Just five more days of recipes,”
he notes when . . . HO-HO-NO!!
He spies his best ingredients
discarded in the snow!

Poor Sprinkle shakes in shock until
he finds a nibbled note.
“Apologies! Your food was found
by Santa’s flying goat.”

The nutmeg—munched! The ginger—crunched!
There’s drool on candy canes.
But hungry elves are waiting, so
he checks what food remains.

“It’s better not to shout or cry,”
says Sprinkle. “I am bright!
I’ll whip up five new cookies that . . .
I hope will taste alright.”

For cookie five, he sends the elves
a pickle pop creation.
The tangy popcorn blend becomes
a winning combination!

For cookie four, he adds a dash
of mustard sugar plums.
Though not a tempting color, still
the elves hum, “Yum, yum, yums!”

For cookies number three and two,
he scatters carrot curls
atop some figgy pudding bars
and pasta frosting swirls.

Each elven step has extra pep!
They zip to fill the sleigh
while chewing scrumptious daily bites
till, YAY, it’s Christmas Day!

A final cookie will complete
the North Pole’s celebration.
And Sprinkle twinkles as he shares
his greatest innovation.

He serves a recipe that reads,
“This Christmas, WE will bake
a tasty pastry that is mixed
with memories we make.”

Together, elves (and flying goats)
blend fun and festive flavor
to end the Cookie Countdown with
a sweetness all will savor.