Ep 5. Cakes, Home Bakes and Frozen Lakes

Duff Takes the Cake season 1 episode 5, entitled "Cakes, Home Bakes and Frozen Lakes," features the renowned cake artist Duff Goldman tackling three unique cake commissions in his Baltimore bakery called Charm City Cakes.

The episode starts with Duff working on a grandiose cake for the Frozen Dead Guy Festival in Colorado. The festival celebrates the supposed cryonic suspension of a man from Norway and Duff's task is to create a whimsical yet macabre design that captures the essence of the festival. He works with his team to model an enormous cake that features an icy mountain where the dead man's frozen body rests. The cake must also include a representation of the parade that takes place during the festival, and for that, Duff incorporates elements such as giant puppets, marching bands, and over-the-top skeletons. As they work on creating the cake, Duff and his team face multiple challenges, including a malfunctioning fog machine and a cake that is too heavy to transport to Colorado. The crew must overcome each obstacle and deliver the cake to Colorado just in time for the festival.

Next, Duff and his team take on a commission for a client who wants a cake that represents their hometown of New Orleans. Duff is excited about this challenge because he loves New Orleans and its rich culture. The cake must feature elements like Mardi Gras beads, a streetcar, and of course, the iconic fleur-de-lis symbol. Duff's team works tirelessly on this cake, incorporating details such as a realistic streetcar model and edible beads. The team also braves a few mishaps, including a power outage, but they eventually deliver a stunning cake that captures the essence of New Orleans.

Finally, Duff works on a home-baked cake for his friend's birthday. This time, Duff gets to showcase his personal baking skills as he prepares a triple layer cake with homemade whipped cream frosting and fresh peaches. With the help of his aunt, Duff reveals his secret to making a delicious and soft sponge cake, and he shares tips on how to assemble and frost layered cakes to perfection. It's a charming and heartwarming segment that shows Duff's personal side and his deep love for baking.

Overall, "Cakes, Home Bakes and Frozen Lakes" is a delightful episode that showcases Duff's versatility as a cake artist and baker. The challenges and triumphs faced by Duff and his team make for an engaging and immersive viewing experience. Fans of the show and newcomers alike will find this episode to be a satisfying and enjoyable watch.