The Today show hosts recently gathered for a festive Christmas cookie swap, but one particular treat didn’t quite meet everyone’s taste. Craig Melvin’s reaction to Dylan Dreyer’s Aunt Tilly’s cookies provided plenty of laughs for viewers and co-hosts alike.
During the December 18th episode, Melvin, Dreyer, Sheinelle Jones, and Al Roker shared their family cookie recipes. Dreyer presented her Aunt Tilly’s Christmas cookies, a “biscuit-y” anise cookie that she claimed had been featured on the show for twelve years. However, her enthusiasm wasn’t immediately shared by her colleagues.
Melvin and Roker seemed hesitant to try the cookies, prompting Jones to inquire about their reluctance. Melvin jokingly asked if Aunt Tilly was “still with us,” to which Dreyer replied that she had passed away some time ago. Undeterred, Dreyer urged Melvin to try a cookie, reminding him that he had them every year. After some playful resistance, Melvin finally took a bite.
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Dreyer, clearly enjoying her aunt’s cookies, playfully called her hesitant co-hosts “Grinches.” Roker then asked Melvin for his opinion, but Melvin’s visible distaste and hysterical laughter said it all. Jones humorously remarked that they didn’t want him to choke.
The cookie swap continued with Roker presenting a classic “plain sugar cookie” and Melvin introducing his Christmas wreath cookies, featuring marshmallows and crispy rice cereal. Dreyer, still teasing Melvin about his reaction to Aunt Tilly’s cookies, made a point of trying Roker’s offering, emphasizing the importance of politeness.
Jones showcased a Honey Ginger Elixir cookie, inspired by her favorite morning beverage and prepared by the show’s pastry chef, Anthony Kontrino. She enthusiastically praised the cookie as “the best.” Melvin quickly sampled Jones’s cookie, prompting Dreyer to playfully point out his eagerness. Jones defended her delicious creation, and Roker, after trying one, compared it to a snickerdoodle.
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Despite his initial reservations about Aunt Tilly’s cookies, Melvin ended the segment on a positive note, encouraging viewers to check out all the recipes on the Today show website, including Aunt Tilly’s. The lighthearted cookie exchange provided a fun and festive moment for the hosts and viewers alike, demonstrating the camaraderie and humor that make the Today show a beloved morning program.
