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, ANTHONY “SPICE” ADAMS
So, who went home in the second round of The Great American Baking Show?
Anthony broke out some breakdancing and a sweet verse to welcome viewers to Morning Treats Week, and then we got a recap of the first hour. Can we blame the show? Well, probably not. We’re honestly still being charmed by the breakdancing.
While the bakers had the option of frying or baking their donuts, most opted for frying in the two and a half hours they had to make 12 of them for Paul and Johnny’s judgment.
Signature challenge results:
"Bryan: Ginger Lime Donuts: “I love ’em,” said Paul, and both were happy that they actually looked like gingerbread. Hector: Mexican Eggnog Donuts: “Soft and velvety,” Johnny dubbed the filling. Jessie: Nutmeg Spiced Donuts: “The filling’s a little bit thick,” said Paul, but they liked the presentation. Father Kyle: Baked Cinnamon Bourbon Donuts: “They look more like coffins,” said Johnny, and then Paul killed the donut with the criticism. Antoinette: Maple Bacon Donuts: Paul was more than open to the bacon in the donut. JC: Baked Pumpkin Donuts: “That ain’t no donut,” said Paul. Cindy: Apricot Spiced Donuts: Paul wanted “more robust” donuts, but liked it. Molly: Paczki Cranberry Sage Donuts: The flavors were off, per Johnny, but Paul gave her some hope. Vallery: Orange Chocolate Glazed Donuts: Paul gave her a handshake and dubbed it “one of the best donuts I’ve ever had.”"
After keeping things sweet, Johnny demanded that the nine bakers produce eight chorizo and egg-filled hand pies with just 1 hour and 40 minutes to do it in the technical challenge. In the judging, we had our first “soggy bottom” reference of the season, although Paul was commenting in the sense that there wasn’t one.
Technical challenge results:
"9th: Father Kyle 8th: Cindy 7th: Jessie 6th: Molly 5th: Hector 4th: Antoinette 3rd: Bryan 2nd: JC 1st: Vallery"
And for the showstopper, Johnny and Paul gave the bakers four hours to produce a “centerpiece sweet loaf” complete with some sort of filling. That’s the longest challenge yet, and it left time for proving the enriched doughs needed to impress.
Showstopper challenge results:
"Bryan: Cinnamon Raspberry Santa. “Super cute,” said Johnny, but Paul disapproved of the sweetness. Cindy: Polish Nut Roll. “Got a lovely swirl through there,” said Paul, who quickly followed it up with “it’s quite dry.” JC: Pistachio Frangipane Wreath. Paul said it “works.” Antoinette: Raspberry Almond Loaf. Paul found the almond missing, but the presentation impressive. Jessie: Orange Cardamom Snowflake. “I don’t dislike the flavor, I just dislike the texture,” said Paul. Vallery: Blackberry Lemon King Cake. “There it is right there!” crowed Paul, who then got the baby in the king cake as well. Father Kyle: Cinnamon Wreath with Macarons. “The proving is fantastic, actually…” but then Paul dubbed it “overbaked.” Molly: Pumpkin Walnut Challah Wreath. “The shape’s divine,” said Paul, and Johnny dubbed it “beautiful.” Hector: Chocolate Marzipan Wreath. “Kinda looks like it was in a paintball accident,” said Johnny."
JC and Vallery became the two highest-placing bakers, with Vallery winning Star Baker after coming close in the first round. Jessie fell all the way to the bottom, but Cindy and Father Kyle were more in danger, and Father Kyle went home.
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Next week on The Great American Baking Show: desserts and cookies!