Halloween Baking Championship Season 10 episode 2 recap: Black, white, and Beetlejuice

After surviving the first week in Henson Labs, the Food Network bakers are back and Halloween Baking Championship Season 10 episode 2 had everyone channeling the ghost with the most. With two challenges inspired by the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice movie, these desserts rose to the spooky inspiration.

In the first episode a few bakers seemed to separate themselves from the crowd. From Aaron winning the first ever immunity potion to Joel impressing with balanced flavors and impressive visuals, a few bakers are casting their spell for a place in the finale.

To kick off Halloween Baking Championship Season 10 episode 2, the Thriller Challenge had the bakers create black and white desserts. Not only was that concept the visual theme, but also they were the required ingredients theme.

Making white desserts is more difficult than it seems. Any hint of over baking can turn that pristine white to a dingy beige. Carly learned that concept with her macarons. She had to start over after her cookies became too dark.

Overall, the Thriller Challenge had successful desserts. Even though one or two bakers are still struggling, the majority are finding their footing.

The most successful sweet food offerings channeled Beetlejuice beyond some black and white stripes. For example, Aaron found a way to make his pie feel Beetlejuice-esque without being literal. More importantly, he found a way to balance black cocoa and white pepper. That ghostly goo mesmerized the judges. It was a stunning interpretation of the theme.

Earning the Thriller Challenge win and immunity was Joel. While cream cheese and prunes might sound like a food combination at a retirement home, the dessert was elevated and refined. Additionally, the visual was quite compelling.

For the Halloween Baking Championship Season 10 episode 2 Killer Challenge, the bakers were tasked with a more difficult concept, stacking a tiny dessert on top of a bigger dessert. This shrinker idea is more than tipsy turvy cakes. It required smart planning, complementary flavors, and an eye for detail.

In a way, this challenge tested a concept that is often frowned upon in other food television competitions, the dual plate. Many chefs have been sent home on the two dishes curse. It seems that Halloween Baking Championship is prepared to tempt that fate.

The biggest feedback with most of the shrinker desserts was the portion issue. Trying to balance the small and the large in a cohesive visual was like a confusing plot twist. Only a few bakers handled it well.

Even though his dessert came together in the final moments, Manny impressed the judges. The tart being held by the sandworm was smart. It had movement and flair.

Additionally, the walnut brownie had a nice texture. His passion fruit had a bold punch of tartness. Overall, it was a successful shrinker dessert.

Thierry was clearly the winner of the Killer Challenge. While the judges might have been slightly skeptical of the pavlova at first, their was no denying that Thierry nailed the theme. The cake pop's dimension with the pavlova was genius.

More importantly, Thierry’s flavors were impeccable. From the pavlova’s texture to the lovely citrus, it was sublime. Additionally, his cake pop was bright, spicy, and well balanced. He definitely deserved the win.

Joel, having won the Thriller Challenge immunity, took a big risk and it worked. While the visual was beyond chaotic, his spicy flavors got the judges a little hot under the collar (in a good way).

This dessert was exactly what should happen when a baker has immunity. Knowing that they are safe, the bakers need to try something unexpected, push the envelope, or otherwise swing for the fences.

Unfortunately, the two bottom bakers had major mistakes in their desserts. Hollie’s blondie had the wrong texture. Without that signature chewiness, it was almost too cake like. Add to that issue, her peach cobbler lacked the signature gooeyness that people want in a cobbler.

While Carly had a cute visual, her two desserts had major technical issues. First, her pie filling did not set. Second, her cupcake was dense and lacked chocolate flavor.

After one too many mistakes over the first two episodes, Carly was sent to home on Halloween Baking Championship Season 10 episode 2. While she tried hard, the competition was too fierce her skill level.

Could one of the struggling bakers rise from the ashes? Be sure to watch new episodes on Monday nights at 9 p.m. ET on Food Network. Episodes can be streamed the next day on MAX.