Top Moments of Kids Baking Championship

Relive all the ups and downs of the competition, including the kid bakers' wins and eliminations.

Episode 1: The Power of Twos

"You have to make two of your signature baked items," Valerie explains to the kids. "They have to be right for a bake sale, but most of all they have to impress us." The scary part is that the kids have only two hours for the challenge. Even more surprising is that "two bakers will be leaving the championship today," adds Duff.

When At First You Don't Succeed

"Oh no, I used too much butter," Caroline says of her oatmeal lace cookies as they come out of the oven completely run together. She considers them a complete fail. Valerie asks Caroline to try the recipe again: "Maybe one more go at it." Luckily, the second time around they come out perfect.

It's Important to Plan Ahead

"As I'm making my tart dough, I realize I should have just made one dough and use it for both," says Anthony after finishing baking his pie. His setback is putting him far behind the other kids, and he nearly forgets to make his PB&J twist. "I hate peanut butter and jelly," he says.

Taking Advice from an Expert

"I'm trying to puree the raspberries, and I just can't find the equipment," says Annika while preparing her raspberry swirl cheesecake. "You were born with the best kitchen tools attached to your wrists," Duff says, advising her to mash them. "You know, Annika, that trick won't work with walnuts," he jokes.

A Winner Wiser Than His Years

"I love peanut butter and jelly," says Cody, who's turned his twist into a pudding pie. "It reminds me of my childhood," he adds. "I keep saying 'childhood' like I'm 20," he laughs. In the end Duff announces Cody has won the Bake Sale challenge: "We thought your baked goods were great across the board."

The Bottom Three, with Two Going Home

Because Payton burned his cake, Anthony's lattice pie had too thick a crust and Caroline's upside-down peach tart didn't hit the mark, the three kids end up in the bottom. Duff announces that Anthony and Caroline will be going home. "Your careers in the kitchen are just beginning," Valerie reminds them.

Episode 2: Impossible Dessert Imposters

"I hate burgers," exclaims Natalie upon finding out she'll have to bake a dessert imposter. With two hours in the challenge, the kids are hesitant. "I didn't make the best first impression," says Natalie about her performance last week, but this time she's aiming "to get in the top" with a recipe for cupcakes she loves.

Lessons in Pasta Making

Jackson is excited to have gotten spaghetti for the challenge, but he's undecided on what to use for the pasta. "I think it will look just like spaghetti," he says of his decision to use gum paste, but he struggles to get it through the pasta roller. Luckily, he realizes the pasta extruder will do the trick.

A Different Kind of Slice

"I really, really hope my envelope says 'pizza,'" says Payton, and his wish comes true. Experienced with making dessert pizza before, he tops a snickerdoodle "crust" with marshmallows, gummy fish, peanut butter cups and fondant. But a mid-challenge twist to make a sidekick dish throws him for a loop.

Almost Lost in Translation

"This dessert imposter was a real struggle for me," says Annika, who still manages to pull off sushi using rice cereal bars, licorice, buttercream and fondant. "I love the cereal treats," says Valerie. "This is really a fun thing to eat," adds Duff. But Annika's penalized for her side dish of chopped-up cookies as "rice."

Betrayed by Their Sidekicks

"Your hamburger sliders and fries blew us away," Duff tells challenge winner Natalie. Jackson comes in a close second. Unfortunately Annika and Payton end up in the bottom two, based solely on their sidekicks. Because Payton's garlic-bread imposters came out looking like egg rolls, he's sent home.

Episode 3: If the Choux Fits

This week finds the five remaining kids baking some of the most-difficult treats using pate a choux. "Duff can make the cream puffs sound like an easy challenge," says Cody, "but they're not." They need to make one dozen sweet and one dozen savory puffs in 90 minutes. Unfortunately, Cody's having trouble filling his.

Unfazed by the Pressure

"I just made pate a choux last week, so I'm feeling pretty confident," says Hollis, who chooses to make Parmesan-crusted puffs for her savory version. Valerie is taken aback by how "cool, calm and collected" Hollis is. "I really hope Hollis doesn't open up a bakery within 10 miles of me," jokes Duff.

Lending a Helping Hand

"I'm not going to give up," says Jackson after he burns his hand on a hot pot. "To work one-handed and to finish all the work I have to do is a struggle," he says. With just the final five minutes counting down, he's rushing to finish. Annika decides to go over and help him. "I'm so grateful," says Jackson.

Baking by the Golden Rule

"That was a very kind thing for you to do," Valerie commends Annika for helping Jackson. Duff admits the gesture made him cry. "It's good to help other people even if you don't expect anything in return," Annika says. Although the judges question her savory puffs, they find her sweet puffs "the best bite of the day."

Weighing the Positives and Negatives

Cody and Jackson end up in the bottom because Cody's blue cheese puffs were overpowering and Jackson's matcha cream puffs weren't sweet enough. But Jackson's bagel-inspired puffs save him, which means Cody must go. "I really don't want you to leave," Duff tells Cody. "You're like a mini me."

Episode 4: Cakes to Celebrate With

"You get to bake your own celebration cake for the moment you win," Duff explains the last challenge to the kids, who will have three hours to make layered cakes in the finale. They're excited to hear that the winning creation will be featured and sold in Duff's bakery Charm City Cakes.

Lots of Lemon All Around

"It's time to show my stuff," says Natalie. Knowing that Valerie loves lemon, and Duff loves cream cheese, she decides to make her cream cheese-frosted lemon cake, which happens to have been "a big hit" for her in the past. But Jackson and Hollis have the same idea, both baking lemon cakes.

Striving for Perfection

"I've made this frosting a gazillion times," says Hollis, who's having trouble with her buttercream frosting. Duff comes over to offer some advice on fixing it. Unfortunately, the consensus is she has to start a new batch. "I have to make sure that my cake is absolutely the best," she says of the decision.

Wise Beyond Her Years

"I'm so stoked to eat something that's not lemon," says Duff when he sees Annika's chocolate and raspberry cake. When asked about her marbling treatment, Annika says, "I wanted to show there are layers to people as they are layers to cake." Duff and Valerie are left nearly speechless.

Who Takes the Cake?

"Two of you really made successfull championship cakes today," says Duff, revealing that Hollis and Annika are the top two. "One baker just edged out the other one today," says Valerie. Duff announces Hollis as the Kids Baking Champion and the winner of $10,000 in prize money. "It's a dream come true," says Hollis.