Halloween Baking Championship is once again impressing fans and critics alike with its 10th season’s third episode. The episode stirred up chills and thrills with the challenge that asked contestants to transform traditional candy corn into frightening creations. However, the real horror was unveiled during the Killer Challenge which saw participants morph cuddly plushies into monstrous creatures. Rather than the traditional kid-friendly treats that one might be accustomed to, this season pushes the boundaries towards grotesque, spooky and even mildly repulsive presentations.
Throughout the season, the judges — Stephanie Boswell, Carla Hall, and Zac Young — have made one thing pretty clear: they are not seeking desserts that raise a smile. They want their sweets to cause a shock and a shudder. The anticipation for the competitions is high, with the spooky twist in each round causing quite a stir.
In episode three of the championship, we saw two vastly different challenges. The first, named the Thriller Challenge, involved a surprising interweaving of teamwork and candy corn. Contestants were grouped into pairs and tasked with serving up sweet indulgence inspired by candy corn flavours. The catch, however, was that this was not just a challenge against time, but also their fellow bakers. The triumphant team would win invaluable immunity, which could massively influence the outcomes of the contest.
In the challenge, the various body parts incorporated into each dessert made for a truly thrilling spectacle. The beauty of this challenge lay in its versatility; whether one detested or desired candy corn, one couldn’t help but applaud the innovative takes on the candy-inspired desserts.
Teamwork is the key to success and this proved to be the winner in the Thriller Challenge. The unlikely pairing of the bakers brought out some unique creativity where one’s timidness was complemented by the other’s flamboyance. For instance, bakers Hollie and JL especially surprised with their challenging choice of dessert — the Kouign-Amann. The layered, buttery pastry filled with apple caramel was a standout sensation despite not taking home the winner’s trophy.
The real champions of the Thriller Challenge, though, were illustrious pair Aaron and Manny who amazed the judges with their spooky-looking blackberry cobbler crowned with a tongue-shaped décor. The desserts were a testament to their exceptional teamwork, pushing each other’s strengths to create mouthwatering pieces that were not only delicious but had a creepy scintillation about them.
Winning the immunity didn’t mean they could sit out the Killer Challenge though. They were still expected to come up with something impressive and not underestimate the next round, for they were safe from elimination. This showed a distinct approach that could possibly influence the future challenges.
In the Killer Challenge, bakers had to spin a chilling tale of a cute turned creepy dessert that would cater to the theme. They were to take a fluffy animal plushie and re-imagine it into a nightmare. The looseness of the challenge was a playground for the bakers’ wild imaginations.
In the end, it was Aaron’s calculated risks in the eerily authentic pig-themed cake that earned him the win in the Killer Challenge. His carefully chosen black pepper bacon cake was a distinct touch, synchronizing with the pig theme. It was a hearty harmonization of a classic diner breakfast with the glamour of a cake.
Sadly, not all desserts were met with the same praise. Joel was named amongst the bottom performers. Although his matcha tart with a spider cow was an artistic feat, its flavour didn’t impress. Also, JL’s failure to manage time and his decision to serve two desserts led to his downfall. He ends up being the unlucky one to get the axe.
The glimpse of what lies ahead in the Halloween Baking Championship Season 10 is thrilling. It promises more creepy, crawly, and imaginative treats. The real question remains, will the front-runners maintain their strong game, or will the spooky spin-offs overpower them? Only time will tell. This thrilling championship airs every Monday at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
