In the semifinals, the six remaining bakers are surprised to learn from host Jesse Palmer that there are no more teams, and they will be competing individually as they face a gauntlet of three challenges. First, the bakers must create retro Christmas desserts and add holiday flair to the decorating. Then, in a second heat, the competitors are tasked with making desserts with old-school gelatin mold flavors like lime cream cheese, peach buttermilk, or orange marshmallow. In the main heat, bakers must turn things like canned apple pie filling, canned pineapple, or instant chocolate pudding into retro ingredient desserts that are impressive enough to land them in the finale. Guest judge Stephanie Boswell joins Nancy Fuller and Kardea Brown to decide which bakers move on and which baker is eliminated.
Host Jesse Palmer welcomes 13 bakers to a whimsical kitchen filled with magical possibilities, where creativity knows no bounds. With just two hours on the clock, the competitors must craft a flower-themed dessert that reflects their unique personalities. From delicate petals to vibrant blooms, each baker uses flavor, texture and design to create a dessert that's as personal as it is beautiful. Then, inspired by the magic of bees making honey, the bakers make showstopping honey pies for judges Duff Goldman, Kardea Brown and Nancy Fuller using an assigned honey, infusing both the flavor and presentation with a touch of magic. Each pie must feature intricate bee-inspired decorations, from honeycomb candy to spun sugar and brittle, all showcasing the versatility of honey in both taste and décor.