Holiday Baking Championship Season 11 episode 7: Who made the finale?

With the finale within their reach, Holiday Baking Championship Season 11 episode 7 had one baker’s dreams crushed just before the ultimate prize. Did the three challenges in this episode prove too difficult for the bakers to handle at their end of their Food Network journey?

Throughout the Food Network competition, the Holiday Baking Championship bakers have impressed the judges. Even though there have been a few bumps along the way, the bakers have showcased impressive flavors and decorative skills.

For the Holiday Baking Championship Season 11 episode 7 Pre-Heat, the bakers had to create footie pajamas macarons. Transforming the traditional cookie shape is never easy. But, these particular desserts proved to be more successful than anyone could have imagined.

As these pjs soldiers marched into battle, the special macarons were quite curious. Overall, the desserts were successful. One had a better visual than flavors, but the specialty cookies were mostly good.

The front runners were Rolf, Natasha, and Rafi. Even though Rafi’s cookies were a little too brandy forward, the judges appreciated the holiday slant. It was definitely a nod to the holiday party atmosphere.

Natasha had a lovely macaron. She even got bonus credit for decorating both sides of the cookie. The Santa hat themed cookies with raspberry coulis and raspberry buttercream had a lovely flavor balance.

Earning the win in the first challenge was Rolf. Although he considers macarons his nemesis, his specialty pajamas were near perfection. There was so much technique woven into every cookie. The bite was chewy, crispy, and well balanced. The combination of pistachio and raspberry was sublime.

For winning the Pre-Heat, Rolf was able to pick his partner for the next challenge and assign the other partner teams. This moment was big advantage as the finale approaches.

The second challenge was a team challenge. The baking pair had to create edible garland crème puffs. Each baker needed to create their own flavor, and those flavors needed to balance each other.

While the bakers did well in this challenge, no one really knocked it out of the park. Every dessert was good, but not necessarily great. For example, Rolf chose to work with Natasha. While he hoped her decorative skills would push them to victory, the crème puffs came up short.

Rolf’s banana brown sugar bourbon cream was nice, but it needed more bourbon. Additionally, Natasha’s chocolate hazelnut was good, but the additionally white chocolate made it really sweet.

Steven and Rafi were the baking pro am team, but the amateur baker proved he deserved top billing, Steven’s crème puff was filled to perfection. The milk chocolate was luscious and delicious. Rafi’s pate a choux was a little underbaked, but the flavors were on point.

Lastly, Courtney and Jer aka the Flavor Cats, needed a little more cohesiveness to their garland display. Beyond the lack of neatness, the flavors were slightly off and the display was a little messy.

Thanks to Steven’s crème puffs, Team Pro Am earned the win. For their advantage, Steven and Rafi were able to go first and last in the pick for the next challenge.

The final challenge in Holiday Baking Championship Season 11 episode 7, which would decide which bakers make the finale, was a nod to the White Elephant gift exchange. As each baker picked a dessert, they could keep or choose a new box. Unfortunately, all the bakers were boring and kept their original choice.

But, Steven did swap his flavor, which created a little drama. He stole Natasha’s Sticky Toffee Pudding entremets. It was a smart choice for Steven.

Additionally, the bakers faced a mid-challenge twist. Each dessert had to have a fun, cuddly friend décor item. Some decorations worked better than others.

Overall, Steven and Rafi’s advantage helped them earn a spot in the finale. Steven wowed the judges with his pistachio and raspberry entremets. Not only did the dessert have delicious flavor combinations, the textures added to the eating satisfaction. It had all the judges swooning over the dessert.

The other top baker was Jer. While she has had ups and downs during the competition, she proved that she deserves a spot in the finale. Her coconut charlotte royal with pink sloth décor brought all the holiday feels. It had a great crumble texture, fabulous coconut flavor and perfect décor.

Jer earned the win and a spot in the Holiday Baking Championship Season 11 finale. Steven, Rolf, and Rafi also secured a place in the finale.

Unfortunately, Natasha and Courtney were in the bottom. The mistakes in their desserts were clear.

Natasha had obvious décor issues. Her entremets was oozing. Additionally, the dessert did not capture the sticky toffee theme. But, her sable earned high praise from the judges.

Courtney’s dessert was a miss. Her décor was not great and there was no cohesiveness to her dessert’s appearance. Additionally, the dacquoise was dense and the flavors were unbalanced.

The baker eliminated before the Holiday Baking Championship Season 11 finale was Courtney. There were too many mistakes in her dessert.

Which baker has the best opportunity to earn the Holiday Baking Championship Season 11 winner title? Be sure to watch the new episode on Food Network Monday, December 16 at 8 p.m. Episodes can be streamed the next day on MAX.