Spring Baking Championship Season 9 winner: Baking with love for the win

While only three bakers would contend for the Spring Baking Championship Season 9 winner crown, the finale episode began with a bake-off. From doughnuts to surprise proposal desserts to the ultimate wedding cake, one baker made it through every challenge to earn the Food Network title. After receiving all the flowers and butterflies, the only reward left to earn was the Spring Baking Championship Season 9 winner title.

For the bake-off to earn a place in the finale, Molly and Luke went head to head in a doughnut challenge. Inspired by the wedding shower trend, these dozen wedding shower doughnuts were more than just a present. They were meant to represent the bride, groom, and that happily ever after feeling.

Molly created an almond raspberry doughnut with a vanilla glaze. Even though her bake went fine, Molly’s nerves were apparent. Her lace piping was a little shaky.

The feedback from the judges was middle of the road, but there was not that wow moment. Overall, the cake doughnut had a nice crumb, but it was more cake than doughnut. The flavors were a little one note. In addition, the doughnuts needed more texture. The choice of the dehydrated raspberry did not work.

Overall, the visual for the doughnuts were nice, but it needed a little more polish. The pipping was a little heavy. From a distance, the look was nice but up close it was a little lackluster.

Luke represented the groom, which was inspired by his father’s sky blue vintage tuxedo. The theme was a little cheesy, but it was a way to think a little outside of the box. As for the visual, the tuxedo ruffles might appear more like wings.

The blueberry doughnut with vanilla icing was nice. The flavors and textures were good. Given that Luke had to remake his doughnut after the initial frying mistake, the feedback was overall positive.

Winning the bake-off was Luke. He might have earned the nickname “last minute Luke” but he was able to earn that third spot in the Spring Baking Championship finale. But, winning three challenges in a row is a tall order to achieve that Spring Baking Championship Season 9 winner title.

In the finale pre-heat, Christian, Clement, and Luke had to make surprise proposal desserts. The surprise was an element where the ring could be hidden. While the flavors and the dessert could be anything, the approach from each baker was quite different. Only one baker will get a yes from the judges when they propose with these desserts.

Clement decided to make a raspberry almond vanilla tart. From touch of crunch to the luscious almond cream, his dessert made the judges swoon. Even more impressive was his chocolate box. Although the little finger inside might be shades of Halloween Baking Championship, the tempered chocolate box was a huge hit.

Christian went outside of the box, again. While the dessert was a version of an almond orange apple cake, the reveal was very ambitious. Although he had never blown sugar before, he decided to make a sugar sphere.

His dessert was good, but it was not exactly the big moment. The sugar sphere was more abstract. Although the judges applauded his efforts, it could have been better. Also, the cake was a tad dry. The flavors were good, but it was not exactly the wow he had wanted.

Lastly, Luke struggled in the preheat. His chocolate boxes looked rushed. That surprise proposal dessert looked more like a hasty choice than a well-planned event. The coconut cake with mango basil had some good flavors, but it was clear he ran out of time. Unfortunately, last minute Luke was not pull out another win.

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Getting one step closer to the Spring Championship Season 9 winner crown was Clement. From his sublime crust to the cloud like mascarpone, there was no denying he won the preheat.

With only one more challenge to determine the Spring Baking Championship Season 9 winner, the three bakers had to create wedding cakes for three engaged couples. Those couples came to the Food Network kitchen and described their ideal cake to the bakers. They even weighed in on the final tasting.

For winning the preheat, Clement was able to choose his couple and assign the other couples to the remaining bakers. With just five hours to create this Spring love masterpiece, the bakers needed to bake that perfect happily ever after.

Looking back at the Spring Baking Championship Season 9, these three bakers have had much success. Clement has won the most challenges with four butterflies and two flowers. Christian has wowed the judges by always bringing a creative approach to every challenge. Luke continues to find a way to pull out a win by putting his heart into the challenge.

After listening to each of the couples, the bakers make three tier wedding cakes. With no twists for the finale, the time crunch was enough pressure for this last challenge. Still, nothing is simple in the finale. From Clement never making a wedding cake before to Christian mis-measuring his cake batter, the bakers were slightly flustered from the pressure.

Clement created a cherry blossom tree with antique lace. The vanilla sponge with a rum soak was not too sweet. With a cannoli inspired filling, it captured what the couple wanted.

Unfortunately, Clement’s cake was slightly leaning. Also, the bottom tier and the top tiers felt like two different cakes. Visually, it was good, but it needed a touch of editing.

The judges appreciated the cake’s not too sweet flavor. It tasted like a really good cannoli and the chocolate chips added a needed texture.

Overall, Clement showed a lot of growth throughout Spring Baking Championship. Even though he had a lot of wins, he had to tackle desserts that are normally not his forte. It will make him a better baker.

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Christian created a boho chic cake with lots of texture and movement. Although Nancy Fuller felt that the colors were slightly muted for Spring Baking Championship, the cake fit the brief. It was a very Christian style cake.

Even though he had to create a second set of cakes, there was a misstep with his cake. The judges described the cake as chewy. The tres leches soak did not come through in the flavor. Although, the fillings were a big hit. He was able to give the couple chocolate, raspberry, and cheesecake in a single bite.

Overall, the judges applauded Christian because he was never afraid to push the envelope. It might not be the most obvious approach, but it is one that got people talking. He kept it weird all season and that is an achievement.

Even though he might have earned the nickname Last Minute Luke, the final challenge would not be complete without him rushing to complete the task. With 15 minutes remaining, Luke’s cake went from a blank canvas to lovely visual representation of the couple.

The judges appreciated that the cake really reflected the couple in both the flavors and the visual. The oil olive cake with orange and Meyer lemon marmalade and chocolate poutine crunch captured what the couple wanted.

Although there were a few structural flaws, the vibrant color and flavor was quite impressive. The judges said that this cake was the best dessert from the whole competition. The highest compliment was that Luke baked with love.

The Spring Baking Championship Season 9 winner is Luke. He might have been at the brink of elimination, but he soared back for the win. It proves that baking with love really does matter.

While Spring Baking Championship has come to close, Summer Baking Championship is next. Will the next round of bakers live up to this final three?