Kwanzaa is right around the corner, so host Jesse Palmer tasks the bakers with crafting desserts that feature fresh corn for a traditional Kwanzaa display. For the Main Heat, the competitors get their passports ready and put their personal stamp on international holiday desserts, like Filipino leche flan, Japanese Christmas cake and Puerto Rican guava rolls. In the end, judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman and Carla Hall will send one baker flying home.
Chef Duff helps a romantic firefighter find a very memorable way to propose. Then he lets Joe tag along for a taste of big city life as he prepares a dessert buffet for a high end New York PR firm celebrating Christmas in July. At the bakery, Duff and the CCC staff revision themselves as silent movie comedy stars!
For a Chrismukkah dessert platter challenge, host Jesse Palmer asks the remaining seven bakers to make decorated Christmas cookies, rugelach, and traditional Hanukkah sufganiyot. In an unexpected twist, judges Duff Goldman, Nancy Fuller, and Kardea Brown do a blind tasting to decide who should make it into the upcoming all-important semifinals and who is eliminated.
Host Jesse Palmer asks the bakers to create sweet potato and spice desserts in honor of Kwanzaa. In the main heat, the competitors make Christmas card cakes that depict a perfect family snapshot for a holiday card to capture the smiles of judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman and Carla Hall. In the end, one baker heads for the exit.
Giada De Laurentiis hosts a gorgeous formal brunch for her family on Christmas day, with a California twist on some favorite Italian dishes. Giada's delicious menu includes Beef Tenderloin with Scallion Salsa Verde, a Crab and Artichoke Frittata, Olive Biscuits and a decadent Chocolate Panettone Sformato for dessert. The festive family gathering ends with a holiday gift exchange.
Three runners-up from previous Holiday Baking Championship competitions are back, and all they want for Christmas is a second chance to win. First, each returning baker takes on a judge's favorite holiday dessert. Then the bakers create holiday centerpiece cakes and receive tips and advice from judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman and Lorraine Pascale along the way.