Holiday Baking Championship: Gingerbread Showdown

Host Carla Hall challenges three teams of bakers to decide what the holidays will look like in the future ... in gingerbread form! To make their displays as futuristic as possible, they'll make a dessert with a very space-age ingredient: freeze-dried berries. Judges Stephanie Boswell and Kalen Allen help Carla decide whose display is worth a modern $10,000 prize.

When Santa's away, the elves get into all sorts of mischief back at the workshop! Host Carla Hall challenges the teams to conjure up their gingerbread versions of spicy elven mayhem and pair their chaotic creations with a dessert made with a spicy pepper. Judges Stephanie Boswell and Kalen Allen help Carla choose which team of mischief makers will win $10,000.

If you didn't know about the epic battle between Santa and his nemesis Jack Frost, you will now! Host Carla Hall challenges the baking teams to portray this age-old conflict in gingerbread and incorporate a sweet and salty dessert that reflects the relationship of these frenemies. Judges Stephanie Boswell and Kalen Allen choose a side as they help pick the winning team.

From marching bands to two-story Santa balloons, there's nothing that gets a community into the holiday spirit more than a Christmas parade. Host Carla Hall challenges the baking teams to create gingerbread versions of spectacular holiday parades and incorporate a baked item made with everyone's favorite winter beverage -- hot cocoa! Judges Stephanie Boswell and Kalen Allen help decide which team will march home with $10,000.

One of the most beloved traditions around the holidays is taking in a live show of the timeless classic, The Nutcracker ballet. Host Carla Hall tasks the baking teams with capturing the performance in gingerbread, complete with an elaborate stage and a baked item featuring nuts. Judges Stephanie Boswell and Kalen Allen help Carla choose which team will dance off with a $10,000 prize.

The natives of the North Pole are very sporting types, and they even have their own games! Host Carla Hall challenges the gingerbreading teams to create giant displays that show off the unique games played up in Santa's stomping grounds. Each team must include at least one moving part and a dessert that's made with a "strong" ingredient in honor of all the strong athletes. Judges Stephanie Boswell and Kalen Allen help Carla decide which team takes home the gold and $10,000.

One of the best Christmas vacations is a trip to the ski slopes, and if you're going all out, you'll want to splurge on a ski chalet! Host Carla Hall challenges the baking teams to bring a huge holiday ski chalet to life while incorporating a baked element made with a fancy liqueur. Judges Stephanie Boswell and Kalen Allen help Carla determine which team will ski away with $10,000.