Halloween Baking Championship Season 9 preview: Welcome to the carnival

A curious sound is coming from the Food Network kitchen. Halloween Baking Championship Season 9 is set to open its doors, but this carnival might not be full of fun and games. Which baker will spin the mixer to reveal the winning dessert?

Over the past several seasons, Halloween Baking Championship has taken a dark turn. Whether it was a spooky house or a less than jovial camp, the popular Food Network baking show has sliced up more gore than glitter. Even if those desserts have a little slight fear factor, the flavor better be more delightful than frightful.

For Halloween Baking Championship Season 9, the theme is Henson & Sons Carnival. While walking the midway can be full of whimsy, this particular version seems to be more sinister than silly. Although it might not be a slice of CarnEVIL, these treats might be hiding something a little unusual on that plate.

12 bakers are taking on this Food Network challenge. Their diverse backgrounds should make for an interesting mix. From backgrounds in spooky décor to highly acclaimed pastry backgrounds, these bakers should be up to any challenge.

For the Halloween Baking Championship Season 9 premiere, “Welcome to Henson & Sons Carnival” features the following:

"Host John Henson welcomes a dozen bakers to the Henson & Sons Carnival, where they’re ready for the ride of their lives. First, they must layer a “tarot-misu” depicting the carnival’s untimely demise. Then, the bakers scare up a new carnival mascot by designing creepy clown cakes for judges Carla Hall, Stephanie Boswell and Zac Young."

The elimination bake featuring creepy clown cakes could be quite visually interesting. The cake decors should have an advantage in this challenge, but anyone could make a splash. Maybe someone can add some special effects to these cakes to make them even creepier.

While the desserts are the real draw, everyone loves the judges’ costumes. Whether the trio coordinates into a bigger theme or brings unique style to that persona remains to be seen. No matter the choice, those costumes better not outshine the bakers’ desserts. It could cause someone to go home.

Halloween Baking Championship Season 9 airs new episodes on Monday nights at 9 p.m. Episodes can be streamed on MAX.