Alayna here. We’re back for volume 13 of the sweetest email in your inbox.

Today we’ve got a special guest writer in the building, my very own husband, Johnny! He’s giving us his own hot takes and match-up previews of our Cookie Madness Bracket Box! It’s the perfect way to get in the March Madness spirit!

Let’s sweet talk.

**Today we welcome my husband and Chief Tasting Officer, Johnny Kendall, as guest writer of today's edition of Sweet Talk!**

Cookie Madness is here, and boy, are there some incredible matchups to digest. From the blue bloods (Monster, Chocolate Chip) to the Cinderellas (Lemon Dream, Frosted Sugar), each cookie brings its own personality to the plate. With the amount of talent and depth these cookies possess, you’re not going to see any of them Crumbl under pressure. There are plenty of story lines going into this tournament.

Let’s take a look at this year’s Cookie Madness bracket:

(1) Monster vs (8) Frosted Sugar

For all the Frosted Sugar fans out there, I don’t blame you for being upset over the seeding. The Monster cookie has looked unstoppable all year and has shown no signs of letting up. It leads with its star at Center, Mini Reese's Cup. It always sneaks up on you by the time you take the bite in the center of the cookie. What a pleasant surprise every time. Always delivering.

The Frosted Sugar Cookie has continually improved as the season has gone along. When the cookie went to the transfer portal/piping bag and added frosting on top, that elevated it to another level. With a broad fanbase, I expect its fans to travel for this matchup no matter what region they end up in.

(2) Chocolate Chunk vs (7) Lemon Dream

Both teams come into this bracket with a chip on their shoulder and plenty of chips in their cookies. They both come in with two completely different styles of play. The Chocolate Chunk plays fundamentally sound. You’ll see the them slowing down the game, letting the shot clock wind down while the consumer appreciates each bite. It’s similar to old school Wisconsin Badger basketball, but actually enjoyable.

Then, you have the newcomer to the tournament, the Lemon Dream. I tell you what, they might just have the juice to pull off a Cinderella story. I don’t think anyone, myself included, could have predicted the Lemon Dream showing up in this tournament. Lemon and white chocolate? Not exactly a dream team. Critics have been quick to write off this cookie. The lemon plays well in Major League Meringue, but in Cookie Madness? Well, folks, get your popcorn (or glass of milk) ready, because I have the Chocolate Chunk on upset alert.

(3) Oreo Extreme vs (6) Nutella

This is the region of doom. Both cookies could make the case for higher seeding. Oreo Extreme comes with star power - the Oreo. From its highlight dunks on offense, to stuffing its opponents on defense, the Oreo is a well rounded, bona-fide star that could carry the Oreo Extreme cookie all the way. It also has the benefit from the unsung hero of its Hershey’s Cookies & Cream chunks that get in the mix. This cookie’s motto is “Anytime, Anywhere, Any Place”, not scared to take on any opponent.

Just like in college hoops, we’re seeing more of an international presence in this year’s Cookie Madness with the Nutella Cookie. Some are even calling this the “USA vs Italy Game”. Not me, though. Unlike the 1st round of the 2000 Olympics where the USA beat Italy 93-61 in basketball, I expect this matchup to be much closer.

(4) Espresso Toffee Chip vs (5) Chocolate Lava

Many 8 vs 9 seed first round matchups in the NCAAT are a coin flip, and I expect this outcome to be the same. I could see this playing out like the 1985 NCAAT where Villanova came in as an 8 seed and won it all, still the lowest seed to ever win the tournament. The crazy part about that tournament was Villanova only beat their first round opponent, 9 seed Dayton, by 2 points. All that said, don’t be surprised if you see a close first round matchup here, followed by a deep run in the Cookie Madness bracket.

The Espresso Toffee Chip cookie is going to raise some eyebrows. Personally, an espresso-exclusive cookie could have made the tournament, but to add toffee? That makes it a champion-chip-caliber cookie. If this cookie ends up in a morning matchup, it’s game over.

The Chocolate Lava cookie is obviously a chocolate-lover's dream. It’s so good that it could get away with playing in the Brownie Bracket. For those that choose to pop this cookie in the microwave beforehand, that could end up being the difference maker.

In the time that you’ve read this, you could have already eaten all eight cookies and picked your bracket winners. Now go order a Cookie Madness box and enjoy the best cookies around. They’re definitely better than Sister Jean’s cookies!