LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky woman’s love for baking cookies has gained national recognition.

What You Need To Know

  • Louisville baker Coutney Norris has made it to the national stage 

  • Earlier this year, she auditioned for the Food Network’s Christmas Cookie Challenge and won in November 

  • Norris opened the Pocket Bakery in Louisville in 2018

  • She loves teaching cookie decorating classes that turn everyday bakers into icing artists and also offers recipes through e-books

Earlier this year, Louisville baker Courtney Norris auditioned for the Food Network’s Christmas Cookie Challenge and won in November. 

Baking cookies is not just a passion; it's a way for Norris to show her love.

"I kind of decided I was going to bake everything," Norris said. "If I wanted to eat sweets, then I was going to make them because I wanted them to be the best. And if I'm going to eat something that's not that great for you, it's going to have to be the best thing for you, has to taste the best." 

That drive to taste the best paid off.

"I applied for four years, four different times, to be on the show," Norris said. "And the fourth application was when I finally got selected." 

The baker became the winner of the "Christmas Cookie Challenge” on the Food Network.

"I won $10,000," Norris said. "I have the coveted Golden Ornament, which I just take everywhere with me. Every Christmas party we've gone to, this Golden Ornament has come with us."

"Why not? I want to show it off." 

Her message? Do what you love and persevere. 

"It seems that you see people online, and it seems like they're an overnight success or they're very young for their age and they achieve that, which is also amazing and an accomplishment," Norris said. "But having done something for most of my life now, 20-plus years, it's OK for every day to be a slow progress and to not get to where you want to be until you're older. There's nothing wrong with that." 

The side passion helps her instill values into her three children and others of hard work and patience.

"I love teaching other people who want to learn to bake or decorate sugar cookies because I learned to do it just for my family," Norris said. "I feel really strongly about making something that is a little bit more slowed down and teaching people how to do it, who want to do it for their families or friends." 

Norris opened the Pocket Bakery in 2018. She said she loves teaching cookie decorating classes that turn everyday bakers into icing artists and also offers recipes through e-books.

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