Hallmark’s ‘Christmas Cookie Matchup’ 2019: Host, Judges, Cast Of Bakers, Winner’s Prize

The cast of Hallmark’s “When Calls the Heart” has something special in store for Hearties this Christmas season, and, no, it’s not the show’s holiday movie special. Not yet, at least.

Hallmark Drama’s brand-new 2019 reality competition series, “Christmas Cookie Matchup,” premieres Wednesday night and features many of the stars from Hallmark Channel’s popular period drama, including Jack Wagner as the host.

Chadwick Boyd, a food media entrepreneur and owner of Chadwick Boyd Lifestyle, and Emily Hutchinson, cookbook author and creator of the blog The Hutch Oven, will be the judges for the five-part series, which sees amateur bakers —Anna, Monica, Ricky, Laura, Jodi and JC —competing in a variety of Christmas cookie and dessert challenges in the hopes of winning the $25,000 grand prize.

“When Calls the Heart” cast members Erin Krakow, Pascale Hutton, Kavan Smith, Chris McNally, Kevin McGarry, Paul Greene and Andrea Brooks will serve as baking assistants to the contestants.

This is the first original content created for Crown Media’s Hallmark Drama network, which launched in 2017.

Hearties will also be able to see their “When Calls the Heart” favorites when the show’s 2019 Christmas movie special, “When Calls the Heart: Home for Christmas,” airs on Christmas (Dec. 25) at 8 p.m. EST, and then Season 7 will air in 2020.

Before then, catch the premiere of “Christmas Cookie Matchup” on Hallmark Drama on Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST.

Following the baking show’s premiere will be the debut of Hallmark Drama’s other five-part program, a special “Home & Family” limited series with hosts Cameron Mathison and Debbie Matenopoulos, “Home & Family: A Very Merry Christmas,” at 10 p.m. EST.