Spring Baking Championship Episode 3, Kentucky Derby Desserts
The annual run for the roses brings the pageantry to Kentucky. Episode 3 of Spring Baking Championship focuses on Kentucky Derby desserts.
For episode 3, the Kentucky Derby, annual May event, serves as the theme for the both the pre-heat and the main bake. With just seven bakers remaining, the competition is getting fierce. While there’s no tears in the batter, the bourbon that flows during the Kentucky Derby could make anyone a little emotional. No hiding behind your dandy Derby hat, the competition is on.
Since Spring Baking Championship has two competitions per episode, the pre-heat and the main heat. This Kentucky Derby episode was full of competition drama. As always, the bakers must balance flavor and presentation. In this competition, bakers can’t overlook either component.
The pre-heat focused on bourbon influenced desserts.
Bourbon is a popular spirit in the food world. From the Kentucky classic drink, the Mint Julep, to modern mixology cocktails, bourbon is full-bodied spirit. While alcohol content is burned off during cooking, bakers should use caution when sipping in the kitchen.
Spring Baking Championship Kentucky Derby Desserts, photo by Food Network
As the pre-heat got baking, some bakers understood the balance of bourbon and flavor combinations. While others, like Courtney, forgot her pour count. Her oversoaked blond butter blondie with caramel sauce was a bourbon soaked disaster. While a bourbon infused flavor is enjoyable, a fireball of bourbon overkill is a bite no one wants to take.
Luckily some of the bakers weren’t trying to get the judges drunk during the pre-heat. One baker seemed to lack bourbon but had an over-powering mint extract flavor. Successful mint julep/bourbon inspired dishes were amazing.
The winning baker, Fausto, impressed the judges with delicate shortbread cookies with a chocolate sauce and peach sorbet. His win gave him extra time in the main challenge. This pre-heat proved that a home baker, Fausto, can topple the pros.
Main heat challenge, don’t let the cookies crumble.
Moving to the main heat, the bakers were challenged to make cookie garlands inspired by a Kentucky Derby winner’s blanket. Each baker had to create three different cookies and create a cookie garland. Since a simple challenge is never enough on a Food Network show, the surprise element was roses. After the bakers were in the middle of the challenge, they were tasked with incorporating a rose into their creations.
One of the most impressive cookie offerings came from Jordan. He presented chocolate chip cookies, shortbread cookies and citrus butter cookies. The judges were quite impressed with his offerings. After a dismal pre-heat, Jordan showed the judges that he is definitely a contender. Jordan won the main challenge.
Spring Baking Championship Kentucky Derby Desserts, photo by Food Network
Unfortunately, some bakers were unsuccessful with their cookie garlands. Heather, who vented she hates cookies, sadly baked some sad cookies. Maybe her emotional outburst influenced her final product. Being flustered in the kitchen won’t produce a tasty treat.
Also, Heather’s decorating skills were lacking. The judges wanted to see sophisticated Kentucky Derby inspired cookie garlands. Heather’s cookies looked more like a baby shower decoration. The elegant ladies in the over the top hats wouldn’t approve of Heather’s creation. In the end, Heather was sent home.
While the competition challenges are the premise of Spring Baking Championship, the show inspires home bakers to do more.
Lessons learned from this Kentucky Derby episodes are simple. First, bourbon is a great flavor when used appropriately. No one wants to “drink” a dessert. Bourbon is great in a cocktail, but your cocktail shouldn’t be eaten with a fork. Leave some bourbon in the bottle for happy hour.
Another lesson is that presentation should match the challenge’s theme. The run for the roses isn’t a baby shower. As the losing baker learned, know your audience. Again, flavor and presentation combined make a winning dish.
With six bakers remaining, Spring Baking Championship bakes up another challenge next week. Episode four focuses on Springtime remodeling? A fresh coat of icing, a layered dessert or maybe a twist on a classic could be served to the judges. Tune in to see what the six remaining bakers create.
Next: Spring Baking Championship Ep 2, Destination Donuts & Tropical Treats
Spring Baking Championship airs on the Food Network Sundays at 9 p.m. ET with repeat airings throughout the week.