Holiday Baking Championship Season 11 episode 6: Boozy trifles with a heavy pour

It is time to unwrap another holiday celebration. On Holiday Baking Championship Season 11 episode 6, the theme is office Christmas party. From Rolo inspired desserts to boozy trifles, the bakers need to get the judges feeling all the good vibes with the festive flavors.

For the Pre-Heat, the bakers used the classic Rolo candies as inspiration for their desserts. While Rolo might be a classic candy, this themed challenge is more than just stacking Rolos on a cake. In addition to using the Rolos as décor, that creamy caramel and sweet milk chocolate flavor needs to be well balanced.

With a spot in the semi-finals on the line, the bakers put their best foot forward in the Pre-Heat. Although Courtney’s dome was a little wonky, the desserts were quite good. Two of the desserts even had Nancy Fuller conducting the flavor praise.

The downside to this challenge is that some bakers did not unwrap the Rolos. That aspect did not come up at the judges’ table. It seems odd that no one made a dig about inedible décor.

Only one baker could earn the $1,000 prize and the Pre-Heat win. In a comeback, Jer’s chocolate caramel tart earned the judges’ high praise. In addition to the sublime flavor, Jer simplified her design, and it worked. Sometimes a sophisticated dessert is the perfect gift.

For the Main Heat, it was time to get a little boozy. The bakers had to create spirited trifles. In addition to three layers, each dessert had to have a baked layer. For Carla Hall, some of the bakers were a little heavy handed with their liqueur infusion.

Boozy desserts are not easy. While the liqueur needs to be apparent, no one wants to get too tipsy after just a spoonful. That delicate balance takes a steady hand.

Additionally, the bakers faced a mid-challenge twist. Each trifle needed to include a personal décor element. From cats to coffee, the mix of a personal item and holiday-centric design was a fun combination.

With a spot in the semifinals on the line, some bakers shined and a few stumbled. The Main Heat had another comeback story. Steven wowed the judges with his usual décor, a toilet paper roll. While that personal story felt like it would work in a White Elephant-esque moment, it captured the personal element in a unique way.

More importantly, Steven’s flavors were superb. The spiced rum was apparent without becoming flammable. Additionally, his cake was perfectly tender. Combined with a bright tartness from the raspberry mousse, it was a well-balanced dessert that had the judges going back for another spoonful.

While Steven won the Main Heat, Jer was a top baker, too. Even though the gingerbread cookie was slightly overbaked, everyone loved her cat décor. Additionally, the hazelnut liqueur was well balanced.

Unfortunately, two favorites fell to the bottom. In a twist that no one anticipated, Rolf was a bottom baker. His amaretto sour trifle had lovely décor, but the gelatin cubes were too firm. The dessert read more like a boozy ambrosia salad. The dessert did not work.

The other bottom baker was Megan. Her lemoncello and blackberry trifle was too tart. Additionally, the dessert was too boozy. Lastly, Megan did not accomplish the décor twist. While the tuille ribbon worked, the book was a throwaway and did not meet the challenge.

The Holiday Baking Championship Season 11 episode 6 eliminated baker was Megan. Although she did well at the beginning of the season, she lost her momentum.

Which bakers will make the Holiday Baking Championship finale? Be sure to watch the semi-finals episode next Monday night at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Food Network. Episodes can be streamed the next day on MAX.