Halloween Baking Championship Season 9 episode 7: Swallowed desserts

As the season nears its finale, Halloween Baking Championship Season 9 episode 7 sliced off another baker from the roster. From melting skulls to swallowed desserts, everyone needed to watch their back. No one is safe in this Food Network baking competition.

For the Thriller Challenge, the remaining bakers thought that they were being plunged into a deep freeze. Instead, they had to melt a skull to reveal a flavorful blondie. While the melted human ice pop, Blondie, might have had a dubious demise, the majority of melting effects in this challenge worked well.

The unique twist to this challenge was the ganache flavor. Each baker had to include a classic snow cone flavor. Given that those syrups can be a little sweet or have a fake flavor, the scenario needed a deft hand for a balanced taste.

Overall, there were melting skulls, creative flavor combinations, and creepy creations. For the most part, there were few mis-steps. Hollie’s skull could have melted better. Christa’s blondie was a little too sweet. But, the overall Thriller Challenge was a success.

Winning the Halloween Baking Championship Season 9 episode 7 Thriller Challenge was Stacy. She impressed the judges with her lemon lime flavor. It was zesty and a great contrast to the sweetness. Also, she had the best melted skull.

As the Thriller Challenge winner, Stacy’s advantage was extra time in the Killer Challenge. While assigning flavors is usually the top advantage, having a few extra minutes to complete the complicated Halloween Baking Championship Season 9 episode 7 Killer Challenge proved to be helpful. 10 minutes could be a game changing advantage, but no one should ever be overconfident on a Food Network challenge.

The Killer Challenge required the bakers to create a dessert that was swallowed by another dessert. While no one should dare to submit a riff on Zac Young’s infamous Piecaken, this challenge is like walking a tightrope. Executing two perfect desserts is difficult. Submerging one inside another is another level.

In addition, the dessert needs to incorporate an edible sword. Given that décor has been a huge influence this season, this element needed to be more than a stick on top of a dessert. Now is the time to push the visual to rise to the top.

Of course, many Killer Challenges have a twist or two. In this one, the bakers had to incorporate a particular flavor. Overall, those flavors did not prove to be too difficult.

The biggest issue with the Halloween Baking Championship Season 9 episode 7 Killer Challenge was that the bakers didn’t execute the brief. The idea was that a dessert was swallowed by another dessert. The two components had to appear separate. Two bakers hit that concept.

James’ coffin dessert, the first coffin of the season, hit that two separate desserts. The flavor impressed but hit he all the requirements.

Hollie gave the judges a similar experience. The pie was completely separate from the cheesecake. Plus, her visual was totally on point. Lining up that sword was a great visual.

Both Hollie and James were co-winners of the Halloween Baking Championship Season 9 episode 7 Killer challenge. They move into the semi-finals. Also, Ryan earned a spot in the semi-finals.

Unfortunately, the two bottom bakers were Christa and Stacy. After winning the Thriller and talking some smack, she made a few mistakes. The coconut macarons got lost in that chocolate pie. In addition, the tea flavor was overpowered by the chocolate. But, her sword decoration was creepy good.

Christa ran out of time with her décor. The pie was flat, the sword was dull, and a smattering of blood could not hide the mistakes. In addition, her offering was not a dessert within a dessert. There was no separate bite. It felt more like a topping for a brownie than another pie.

Unfortunately, Halloween Baking Championship Season 9 episode 7 was Christa’s last bake. Given the remaining bakers in the Food Network challenge, it was only a matter of time.

Is it a forgone conclusion that Hollie, Ryan, and James will make the finale? Be sure to watch the semifinals of Halloween Baking Championship Season 9 on Food Network Monday night at 9 p.m. or stream the next day on MAX.