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Holiday Baking Championship Season 8 episode 2 preview: Bottoms up

By Cristine Struble

Contestants Jody, Grace, Jose, Naomi, Shayla, Sabrina, Richard, Philippe, Jennifer, Adam, Neomie and Marilyn, as seen on Holiday Baking Championship, Season 8. Image courtesy Food Network
Contestants Jody, Grace, Jose, Naomi, Shayla, Sabrina, Richard, Philippe, Jennifer, Adam, Neomie and Marilyn, as seen on Holiday Baking Championship, Season 8. Image courtesy Food Network /
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After a few twists and turns in the season premiere, Holiday Baking Championship Season 8 episode 2 has the bakers reaching for the bottle. Will these boozy desserts have a few bakers on a roll to immunity?

According to the Food Network, Holiday Baking Championship Season 8 episode 2, “Yule Be Merry,” features the following:

"It’s bottoms up for judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman and Carla Hall as the 10 bakers team up to take on a boozy desserts preheat. In the main heat, host Jesse Palmer challenges the competitors with five different styles of yule log cakes in 10 different flavor combinations. In the end, one baker leaves the competition."

Given the new twist that winning both the pre-heat and the main heat can bring immunity, the bakers better bring those boozy flavors in the first round. Depending on the liquor, the flavor might not be an easy one. Anyone who has to incorporate sparkling wine in a dessert better have a heavy hand.

At the same time, a dessert that brings too much ”burn” from the alcohol is not appealing. Just like with cocktails, flavor not fire is always a good motto.

For the main heat, yule log cakes are not an easy challenge. While some icing can cover some of those cracking flaws, the reality is that finding the right balance of cake to frosting is key. When the ratio is off, that cake is not enjoyable.

More importantly, the flavors need to bring the holiday spirit. As was said in the first episode, there is no place for summer berries on the plate. It is time to bring the warm spices, comforting flavors.

Lastly, the decoration needs to be on point. Although flavor is always the most important factor, a cake eaten with the eyes closed can only happen a few times. If bakers want to stay off that naughty list, they need to deliver both a flavorful and a beautiful yule log cake.

Which baker will be rolled out of the Food Network kitchen? Be sure to watch the two-hour Holiday Baking Championship episode on Food Network Monday, November 8 at 8 p.m. EST.

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