Holiday Baking Championship - Season 5

1. Holiday Essentials

Aired: 11/5/2018

The pumpkin spice phenomenon hits the championship; for the pre-heat, nine bakers attempt to wow the judges with creative pumpkin spiciness; in the main heat, the bakers must combine a yule log with a classic holiday treat.

2. Plenty of Gratitude

Aired: 11/12/2018

For the pre-heat, the eight bakers work in teams to make four different kinds of pies on the same sheet pan; in the main heat, the bakers embrace the stuffed feeling after the Thanksgiving meal by making stuffed cakes featuring seasonal ingredients.

3. Turkey Day Delights

Aired: 11/19/2018

Seven bakers must make a dessert combining cranberry with another flavor; to combat the sleepiness that follows turkey, the main heat challenges the bakers to create a sweet treat that pairs coffee with an unusual flavor of coffee syrup.

4. Holiday Artistry

Aired: 11/26/2018

The holidays are a time for artistry and decorations, so for the pre-heat, inflatable holiday decorations inspire the six bakers' cute cream puff displays; in the main heat, the bakers dazzle the judges with delicious hand-painted eggnog cakes.

5. Light and Inspiring

Aired: 12/3/2018

Five bakers have to update traditional rugelach with unexpected new flavors like cardamom, grapefruit, guava paste, peanut butter or chai; the judges are craving their favorite ingredients in the form of a light and creamy tiramisu in the main heat.

6. New Family Classics

Aired: 12/10/2018

In the pre-heat, bakers have to combine common pantry ingredients like balsamic vinegar, potato chips, oatmeal, red wine and olive oil in a new version of a classic holiday dessert; the bakers must use two key fruitcake components in a new dessert.

7. Gifts of Greatness

Aired: 12/17/2018

Three final bakers must create a beautiful edible holiday ornament display in the pre-heat; for the final main heat, the bakers must create a cake that is decorated like a gift on the outside and reveals a surprise inside when sliced.

8. Homecoming Special

Aired: 12/24/2018

9. Christmas In July

Aired: 7/8/2019