Holiday Baking Championship Season 8 winner: A picture perfect gift

As the Food Network wraps up its holiday programming, the Holiday Baking Championship Season 8 winner presented the judges with a delicious gift. Even though some people might have predicted the bakers in the finale, the outcome was well deserved. Which baker earned the coveted Food Network crown?

While there were four bakers heading into the finale, it seemed likely that one baker would depart prior to the last challenge. Although it is the ultimate piece of Food Network coal to get so close yet miss the last bake, these types of twists are common with any cooking competition.

For the first challenge, the bakers had to create a holiday dessert board. Given that the board trend continues to be popular, this challenge is a perfect way to tests the bakers’ skills and creativity.

With three dipping sauces and three baked treats, the first challenge was far from easy. Add to that situation the scenario that the two bottom bakers would face a sudden death bake off, the pressure could cause a few cookie crumbles.

Jody took big risks with his dessert board. From the raised yeast dough for the concha to mince pies, these desserts were not necessarily the most common items on menu. With well-executed desserts, Jody received rave reviews. Although his presentation was a little bland, the flavors, including the macaron surprise, had all the wow factors.

Adam impressed, as well. With a little more attention to presentation, his board looked prettier. Still, his desserts were tasty. From the almond horn to the shortbread with meringue, the desserts were worthy of a Holiday Baking Championship finale.

While Jody won the challenge based on his creativity and flavors in his desserts, Adam also earned a place in the finale. Although many people assumed that these two bakers would be in the final bake, they did have to earn it.

Was the Holiday Baking Championship Season 8 winner clear at the end of the pre-heat?

Unfortunately, Sabrina and Jose had boards that put them in the bottom two. It wasn’t that the boards were bad; they just weren’t as good as the others. From Sabrina’s miss on her red velvet cookie to Jose’s loose crème anglaise, the few mistakes put them in the face off.

For the face-off challenge, Sabrina and Jose had to create a dessert with a surprise inside. The bakers could choose any dessert as long as it revealed something different inside the dessert. And, they got help from Jody and Adam, who were tasked to be their sous chefs.

While it was anyone’s challenge to win, it seemed obvious which baker would make the finale three. With Adam by her side, Sabrina plated an ambitious dessert. The chocolate ornament with its components was a hit. The variation of flavors and textures delighted the judges while not being death by chocolate.

Jose had a nice cheesecake with an oozing center, but it had flaws. The crust was slightly under and the cheesecake wasn’t quite set. While not a bad dessert, it wasn’t as good in comparison. Add to that scenario a less than vibrant plating, the dessert was not going to earn him the final three. Jose, the flavor guy, was sent home.

Did the Holiday Baking Championship Season 8 winner have an advantage in the final bake?

In order to win the coveted title, the Holiday Baking Championship Season 8 winner would have to create a flavorful and stunning cake based on a particular party theme. While the bakers could pick the flavor and seemed to have some free reign on this challenge, it was a tall tale to accomplish this challenge in just five hours.

For winning the dessert board challenge, Jody was able to pick and assign the themes. He picked tree trimming for himself and assigned gift wrapping to Adam and New Year’s Eve to Sabrina. While he looked to apply strategy, he might have picked the hardest theme for himself. Then again, big challenges can reap big rewards.

Even though the twist happened periodically throughout this season, there was a twist in the finale. The bakers had to incorporate lights into their design. That last minute twist was not well used by most of the bakers. Then again, if the light twist was known sooner, maybe it would have been better used.

Jody decided to make an actual tree for his cake. Unfortunately, like many real trees, his cake was leaning to the side. Unfortunately, that lean is a structural flaw no matter how it was supposed to be intentional.

If the cake wasn’t leaning, it would have been lovely. The base was well decorated, and the idea made sense. Even the gold bells were stunning. But, the lean was a little too much to overlook.

At the same time, his cake was good. Although the judges would have liked more cherry filling, It was a good cake.

Sabrina excelled in the finale. Her New Year’s Eve cake looked like a celebration. From the cascading champagne to the smart use of the lights, her cake visually looked good. But, there was one mistake in a layer which the judges could not overlook.

Overall, her flavor was nice. The hint of champagne and the use of fruit was good, but the judges got more vanilla than a combination of flavor. For a baker who needed to make a big statement, her cake might not have been enough.

For Adam, Jody might have given him a gift with this theme. Quite possibly the easiest them, the stacked cake with three wrapped presents was well-executed. While each layer looked different, it was all cohesive. There was little to criticize with his visual.

Even the cake itself was well done. Although the judges didn’t comment about Adam’s choice to recycle a cake that he had served earlier in the season, it still impressed. From the many layers to the luscious fillings, it was clear that Adam delivered a cake that was worth of the title Holiday Baking Championship Season 8 winner.

Yes, Adam is the Holiday Baking Championship Season 8 winner. Maybe if Jody’s cake wasn’t leaning it could have wrapped up his own win.

Given the talent in this Food Network competition, it will be interesting to see if any of these bakers make a return appearance on another challenge. Although some fans do not like that scenario, many people would like to see what other desserts Jody and Sabrina could create.

Do you agree with the Holiday Baking Championship Season 8 winner decision? Which cake would you like to serve at your holiday party?