Holiday Baking Championship

The competition kicks off as host Jesse Palmer asks the twelve bakers to embrace the seasonal transition by making fall and winter doughnuts. For the main heat, the competitors combine holiday cheese board staples in creative apple and cheese desserts.

It's bottoms up for judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman and Carla Hall as the 10 bakers team up to take on boozy desserts. Then, host Jesse Palmer challenges the competitors with five different styles of yule log cakes in 10 different flavor combinations.

First, Jesse Palmer asks the nine bakers to make Mason jar fruit desserts. Then, judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman and Carla Hall are in for a treat when the competitors create heartfelt messages on top of everyone's favorite Thanksgiving dessert -- pie!

In a nod to the day after Thanksgiving, host Jesse Palmer asks the bakers to use Black Friday kitchen gadgets to make desserts. Then, the competitors work in teams to create cornucopia bread baskets filled with flavored holiday breads.

Host Jesse Palmer asks the seven remaining bakers to create festive Hanukkah olive oil cakes. Then, the competitors randomly choose a dreaded holiday dessert and attempt to spin it into holiday happiness.

The six remaining bakers make tasty treats for guests with a dietary restriction. Then, host Jesse Palmer challenges the competitors to update an assigned vintage holiday dessert to create a new Christmas delight.

Host Jesse Palmer asks the bakers to create sweet potato and spice desserts in honor of Kwanzaa. In the main heat, the competitors make Christmas card cakes that depict a perfect family snapshot for a holiday card.

The bakers create dessert charcuterie boards and pinata desserts. Then, the competitors take on holiday party theme cakes and incorporate lights into their designs. The most successful baker becomes the Holiday Baking Champion and walks away with $25,000!