Ep 3. Turkey Day Delights

In the third episode of season 5 of Holiday Baking Championship, titled "Turkey Day Delights," the remaining seven bakers are tasked with creating Thanksgiving-inspired treats. Host Jesse Palmer and judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman, and Lorraine Pascale challenge the contestants to think outside the traditional desserts, giving them free reign to incorporate any Thanksgiving dish or flavor into their bakes.

The competition starts with a preheat challenge where the bakers must use canned cranberry sauce in their desserts. Some of the bakers use the cranberry sauce as a glaze or filling, while others incorporate it into the batter of their cakes or cupcakes. The judges are particularly impressed with the creativity of the bakers and the various ways they use the canned cranberry sauce.

Next up, the main heat challenge is announced, tasking the bakers with creating three different Thanksgiving desserts. The first dessert must be a tribute to the iconic pumpkin pie. The second dessert should highlight the flavors of stuffing, and the third should incorporate the cranberry in a more creative way.

The bakers put their own spin on the classic pumpkin pie, with some infusing it with espresso or chai spices. For the stuffing-themed dessert, the bakers get creative, with some opting for a bread pudding-like dish while others create a savory and sweet combination with bacon, apple, and sage. The cranberry dessert creations are diverse, with some making a tart, or a parfait layered with cake, cranberries, and cream.

The judges are impressed with the contestants' ability to incorporate Thanksgiving flavors into their desserts while also showcasing their individual baking styles. They praise the creativity and originality of the contestants' dishes, but also provide constructive criticism for things such as texture and presentation.

The final moments of the episode are filled with suspense as the bakers wait for the judges to announce who will be leaving the competition. With such an array of creative and unique dishes, it's anyone's game to win. Tune in to this episode of Holiday Baking Championship to see which baker comes out on top and who is sent packing.