Spring Baking Championship Season 9 episode 9: Toasting mom and a place in the finale

With the finale on the horizon, Spring Baking Championship Season 9 episode 9 might have seen a few bakers on edge. As four bakers vie for a coveted spot in the Food Network baking competition’s finale, one challenge might have had them sipping an ingredient to calm their nerves. It might have been rose all day for mom, but this Spring Baking Championship episode was far from skipping through the tulips.

Throughout Spring Baking Championship Season 9, the bakers have been challenged to bring the love to every challenge. While some desserts have had the judges swooning, others have left them feeling a little perplexed. Even though love might be unpredictable, these bakers need to be more consistent with these final bakes. No one wants to be left broken hearted right before the finale.

For the pre-heat, the bakers had to create a tulip inspired dessert. The dessert needs to have the appearance of the tulip. Without having to create a whole bouquet of flowers, these desserts might inspire some home cooks to skip the vase and fill the plate with flower-inspired desserts for Mother’s Day.

In an unexpected moment, Christian had a bad pre-heat bake. While he had moments in the competition, it was surprising that he had to remake his cakes due to a technical issue. Although he was able to recover, the final dessert was not as clean as normal. The uneven layers were noticeable. Also, the chocolate chandelier was nice, but it did not look like a tulip.

Luke went a little off script in the challenge. While the delicate tulip in the pot looked pretty, it did not showcase a well-composed dessert. There was very little baking involved and that choice was a mistake. Maybe if his pot was edible, it would have captured that two-hour challenge a little better.

Molly might have gone a little simple, but her tulip cakes were on point. It beautifully captured the visual of the tulip. Duff Goldman praised the naked cake with its clean, even layers. The judges praised the bright flavors. Molly bloomed in this challenge.

Lastly, Clement made another visually stunning dessert, and the flavors were some of the best bites that the judges had ever eaten. The strawberry dessert fit the challenge well and it is a dessert worthy of the cover of a Food Network magazine.

Even though Molly made a case for her pretty tulip dessert, Clement won the pre-heat in Spring Baking Championship Season 9 episode 9. His dessert could not be beat.

For the Main Heat in Spring Baking Championship Season 9 episode 9, the bakers had to create a dessert that featured the flavors of a rose cocktail. While many people love toasting the rose all day moment, this dessert was focused on mom. By winning the pre-heat, Clement could have swapped his cocktail with any other baker. But, he decided to keep this choice. Given the gravity of the moment, it seems that Clement was confident with his ability and no gamesmanship was needed.

In the Spring Baking Championship Season 9 episode 9 twist, the bakers had to great a granita of their particular cocktail. It was interesting that Molly did not know how to make a granita. But, a cocktail and a dessert seemed like a great way to send the bakers into the finale.

The most visually stunning dessert was Christian’s elderflower modern interpretation. Maybe he was inspired by the Met Gala, but that stunning color and vibrant flavor was huge hit. In some ways, this dessert looked like it could be part of Dominique Ansel’s dessert collection at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. It was clear that Christian would be moving onto the Spring Baking Championship Season 9 finale.

Clement was equally impressive with his dessert. The spherical dessert with the pomegranate would be a rose present that any mom would love to enjoy. While Duff would have preferred no pomegranate seeds, the dessert was lovely and earned Clement a spot in the finale.

Molly had a nice parfait but it was not as visually impressive as the other desserts. The judges commented that the cake might have needed a soak and the rose flavor was a little muted. It was a good dessert, but they wanted more in the semi-finals.

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Luke had a lot of rose flavor in his dessert but his granita was a little strong. While a punch in a cocktail can be nice, it should not be overpowering. In addition, his dessert needed a little more finesse. The flavors were on point, but the visual needed a little more polishing.

With only one more spot in the Spring Baking Championship season 9 finale available, another twist happened. Luke and Molly will have a bake-off in the finale for that third spot. Could this twist help Molly who would shine in the wedding cake finale challenge or will Luke pull out another visually impressive dessert.

Food Network fans will have to watch on Monday, May 8 at 8 p.m. to see which baker is crowned Spring Baking Championship Season 9 winner. One baker will have that happily ever after sweet moment.