Halloween Baking Championship Season 10 episode 3 recap: Cute to creepy

After channeling the ghost with the most, Halloween Baking Championship Season 10 episode 3 takes on a different transformation. While the candy corn inspired challenge might be scary, the Killer Challenge that turned cute plushies into creepy creatures were more scary than sweet.

Although the spooky season can have a sweet side, Food Network has stepped away the kid-friendly treats in this season of Halloween Baking Championship. The judges, Stephanie Boswell, Carla Hall, and Zac Young want dark, gory, and even slightly gross presentations. These desserts should not give them the warm fuzzies.

On Halloween Baking Championship Season 10 episode 3, the Thriller Challenge had two scary elements. First, it was a team challenge. While these bakers seem to work well together, one big bonus was on the line. The winning team would both get immunity. That twist can have a big impact on the outcome.

Second, the theme used candy corn flavors. While some people love that classic seasonal candy, others shiver at just the name. Luckily, no one had to use candy corn in the dessert.

The Thriller’s theme was a stuffed dessert inspired by various candy corn flavors. Additionally, each dessert had to incorporate a specific body party.

Overall, all the teams excelled in this challenge. It seemed that the randomly paired bakers brought out the best in each other. Where one was a little more timid, the other brought out the flamboyant. Unlike other team challenges, this one proved to be a win on all counts.

Although they did not win, Hollie and JL impressed with a very difficult dessert, the Kouign-Amann. In the short time, that flaky, buttery, layers of pastry filled with apple caramel was sublime. The nose and its accompanying specimens were fun, but it was that special pastry that deserved more praise. It is a dessert that is not often seen on a Food Network show. Maybe Hollie has some tricks up her sleeve.

Winning the Thriller Challenge was a pair that brought out the best in each other. Aaron and Manny played to each other’s strengths. Their dessert, a black berry cobbler with tongue décor, captured the creative, creepy, and delicious elements that the judges craved.

Aaron nailed the entremets. Each element in that dome referenced a traditional part of a black berry cobbler. From the pie dough to the crumble, it was a celebration of textures and flavors.

Manny’s décor was creepy and creative. From the goo squeeze with the tongue to the crunchy sweet tooth, it was visually compelling.

The pair won immunity for the Killer Challenge. While they were safe from elimination, they were encouraged to swing for the fences with their desserts. The judges did not want them to phone in that next dessert. This concept might come back to weigh in future challenges.

For the Killer Challenge, the bakers needed to create a cute turned creepy design. While the bakers could create any dessert, the visual must turn that fluffy animal plushie into a nightmare image that no one would want to cuddle.

The interesting aspect to the Killer Challenge was that the bakers could make any dessert. It is curious that these challenges do not require a specific technique, recipe, or even flavor. The freedom can help some bakers and others might do better with more direction.

Additionally, the concept could give the judges a better understanding of each baker’s strengths and talents. Asking a baker to make something that they have never done could set them up for failure. Instead, this option could ensure that the best baker earns the Halloween Baking Championship title.

In the Killer Challenge, the precious plushies pushed a few bakers to the top position. Following the judges advice to push the envelope, Aaron earned the win. His pig design incorporate the theme in multiple ways.

First, the pig cake design was smart. The stitched pieces made sense. The visual was creepy, but not offensive.

More importantly, the cake flavor was creative. The black pepper bacon cake played into the pig theme. It was like a diner breakfast in a cake form.

He made calculated risks and executed it. With multiple Thriller wins and a Killer Challenge win, Aaron is clearly a favorite to win it all.

Earning the top baker win was Lillian. Although the judges have asked her to simplify some of her chaotic concepts, her sheep had everyone choosing to embrace that nightmare design.

Not only did the visual work, the flavor played into the creepy and whimsical side. Chocolate and Irish cream with a little texture in the layers was delicious. This sheep had the judges asking if there was more to enjoy. The charming and chilling dessert was a big win.

Unfortunately, the bottom bakers had desserts that were far from sweet dreams. In an outcome that few Food Network fans expected, Joel was in the bottom. While the judges appreciated his delicate chocolate work, the dessert’s flavor was a miss.

The spider cow perched on the matcha tart was humorous. The combination of matcha and grapefruit was unexpected, but it work. Unfortunately, the cookie needed more fat because the texture was off. It was a creative idea, but it needed to be executed better.

JL struggled, again. As seen in several challenges, he seems to have many good ideas but he does not edit. In this challenge, he committed the ultimate food television competition error, plating two dishes.

Dual dishes are always a poor choice. It is nearly impossible to have to completely different desserts shine equally. The judges are comparing one against the other, instead of comparing that plate against the other bakers. It set JL up for failure.

As the Killer Challenge came to an end, it seemed likely that JL would be going home. Not only did his giraffe fall over, he was struggling to finish. From a tart shell that took too long to bake to a loose filling, the mistakes were many. The biggest error was not toasting his nuts and forgetting to soak the dried fruit.

The combination of execution errors and a mysterious message, JL and his giraffe dessert were sent to the deep freezer. Unfortunately, JL never found his footing in this Food Network competition.

What is next in Halloween Baking Championship Season 10? More creepy, crawling, and creative desserts are on the horizon. Can a top baker continue that momentum or will a spooky spell change their fate?

Be sure to watch new episodes of Halloween Baking Championship ever Monday night at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Food Network. Episodes can be streamed the next day on MAX.