The Great American Baking Show season 3 premiere recap: Cakes and Morning Treats Week

THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW – “Cake and Morning Treats Week” – On your marks, get set, bake! As part of “25 Days of Christmas,” the most festive and friendliest competition on television is back when season three of “The Great American Baking Show” (formerly “The Great Holiday Baking Show”) premieres with slices of cake and delicious morning treats, THURSDAY, DEC. 7 (9:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on The ABC Television Network. (ABC/Mark Bourdillion)

PAUL HOLLYWOOD, JOHNNY IUZZINI, AYESHA CURRY, ANTHONY “SPICE” ADAMS

Did anyone impress the combined baking judgment of Johnny Iuzzini and Paul Hollywood on The Great American Baking Show season 3 premiere?

The Great American Baking Show put together Paul Hollywood and Johnny Iuzzini, then sent in 10 American bakers trying to win them both over with cakes and morning treats to start the competition off.

This reviewer has to admit that new host Anthony Adams basically won her over by making a joke about the first technical challenge: 2 hours to make a “naked” cake — that has to expose at least part of the sides despite the icing, and also with a filling to boot. That’s the kind of humor we expect from our baking shows. Ayesha Curry is in wait-and-see mode just yet.

In terms of introductions and baking mishaps, Cindy dropped one of her layers of cake, meaning she went from three to two, but there were plenty of bakers who earned some … interesting facial expressions from Johnny and Paul.

Signature challenge results:

"Molly: Spiced Honey Orange Naked Cake. Although Paul knocked the appearance, he gave the thumbs-up to taste and texture. Father Kyle: Pumpkin Spice Naked Cake. Johnny called him out for the apricots. Vallery: Cranberry Filled Lemon Chiffon Naked Cake. “Looks a bit of a mess, but tastes divine,” said Paul. Nick: Eggnog Christmas Naked Cake. “Just a bit bland,” said Paul, and Johnny said he couldn’t taste the Irish Cream. Antoinette: Deconstructed Hummingbird Cake. The taste impressed Paul. JC: Eggnog Naked Cake. Johnny didn’t approve of the “non-functional garnish,” but Paul liked the flavor. Jessie: Spiced Pumpkin Naked Cake. The Paul Hollywood Handshake made its first appearance. Cindy: Gingerbread Naked Cake. “Chin up, huh?” said Johnny. Hector: Salted and Spiced Caramel Naked Cake. Well, he got asked about his recipe. Nothing more needs to be said. Bryan: Lemon Rosemary Naked Cake. “Far, far too much rosemary on there,” said Paul, and both hated the texture."

But things got to the technical, handed down by Paul himself: 90 minutes for 9 white-chocolate-and-coconut-covered lamingtons. The big debate? Whether or not to toast the coconut. Turns out that they were not supposed to toast the coconut!

Yes, this mattered. It’s Paul and Johnny. They noticed.

Technical challenge results:

"10th: Nick 9th: Vallery 8th: Cindy 7th: Molly 6th: Father Kyle 5th: Hector 4th: Bryan 3rd: Antoinette 2nd: JC 1st: Jessie"

In the post-technical check-in, Nick and Kyle had earned the ire of the judges, while Vallery, Jessie and Molly were more praised for their work. However, the showstopper is always the great equalizer, and with the challenge of using just 2 and a half hours to produce a very highly decorated Swiss roll for Johnny and Paul … well, there was a lot of potential for chaos.

Showstopper challenge results:

"Cindy: Pistachio Sponge Swiss Roll. “I love it, but it’s not a Swiss roll,” said Paul. Vallery: Christmas Kaleidoscope Swiss Roll. Johnny praised the hazelnut use. Jessie: Fireplace Mocha Bourbon Swiss Roll. “You’re in the wrong business,” said Paul, as a compliment. Father Kyle: Manger Scene Swiss Roll. “Flavor’s delicious,” Paul declared. Hector: Sweet Potato Gifts Swiss Roll. “I like it,” Paul said about the sweet potato. Molly: White Chocolate Raspberry Almond Swiss Roll. “The filling was too much … but good job,” per Johnny. Bryan: Cardamom Cinnamon Swiss Roll. “A very bold flavor choice and I think it works,” said Paul. Nick: Second Day of Christmas Swiss Roll. Paul called him out with a pun and then destroyed the flavor. Antoinette: Cranberry Curd Swiss Roll. “The sponge is definitely your downfall,” said Johnny. JC: Peace on Earth Swiss Roll. “Your chocolate mousse is divine,” Johnny said, but dinged him for trying three Swiss rolls."

Obviously, Vallery and Jessie kept their high-placing status with their Swiss rolls, and Father Kyle and Nick didn’t really do much to help themselves. Jessie took Star Baker, but Nick went home, sparing Father Kyle to make it to Morning Treats Week of The Great American Baking Show.