Whether it's a cake, pie or cookies, sweets have an expected place in the traditional holiday meal. And Food Network's Holiday Baking Championship celebrates all of that. The show returns on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 9|8c to deliver decadent baked goods galore as 10 talented bakers compete to create the most-irresistible holiday treats. Bobby Deen presides as host as the bakers strive to prove their skills in challenges that celebrate the season. And once again judges Duff Goldman, Nancy Fuller and Lorraine Pascale will determine who will be crowned the winner and take home the grand prize of $50,000.

It is not all sugar and spice and everything nice in the eight-episode run of the show. In the premiere, the bakers must go nuts for the holidays, baking with an assigned nut in the Pre Heat challenge. The contestant with the best treat will win a special advantage in the Main Heat challenge, where each baker must highlight a favorite holiday memory in the form of a decorated pie. Each week one baker will be eliminated, until one is crowned the Holiday Baking Champion.

Fans can also look forward to the return of Duff Goldman's exclusive Web series, Duff’s Sweet Spot. Watch the judge whip up outrageously festive creations based on each episode's challenges.

Visit FoodNetwork.com/HolidayBakingChampionship for more on the show, including highlights galleries from the show, behind-the-scenes moments with the host and judges, and baking tips and recipes. Join the baking banter on Twitter using #HolidayBakingChampionship.