Food Network searched for the Ultimate Cake recipe. After a nationwide recipe contest, nine finalists competed in three rounds: Chocolate Cake, Cupcakes and Birthday Cakes. A panel of food experts determined whose cake was the best. See who walks away the winner of $25,000!
COMPETITORS: Chocolate Cakes
Janice Kollar -- CAKE GRAND PRIZE WINNER!Recipe: "Really Good" Chocolate Layer Cake Hometown: Atlantic Highlands, N.J.
Erin Renouf MylroieRecipe: Anniversary Chocolate-Buttermilk Layer Cake with Toffee and Toasted Almonds Hometown: St. George, Utah
Jaclyn EspositoRecipe: Individual Molten Chocolate Coconut Cakes Hometown: Aventura, Fla.
Cupcakes
Kelly MadeyRecipe: Orange Chiffon Cupcakes with Meringue Buttercream Hometown: Quakertown, Pa.
Lorie Roach -- Winner!Recipe: Tres Leches Coconut Cupcakes with Dulce de Leche Buttercream Hometown: Buckatunna, Miss.
Channon MondouxRecipe: Gingerbread Cake with Brandy Sauce and Whipped Orange Flower Cream Hometown: Portage, Mich.
Birthday CakesDoreen Howarth -- Winner!Recipe: Put the Lime in the Coconut Cake Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Marie BelfiglioRecipe: "Honey, I'm Peanuts About You!" Cake Hometown: Chandler, Ariz.
Debra ScruggsRecipe: Tropical Pound Cake Hometown: Toney, Ala.