To kick off, host Jesse Palmer honors the tradition of making tasty treats for family and friends at a holiday open house. In the preheat, Jesse asks the 12 bakers to create holiday cheese ball desserts featuring a type of cheese and either nuts or dried fruit. Then, host gifts are the theme for delicious bites as the bakers create holiday bark inspired desserts that are both inventive and large scale to impress judges Carla Hall, Duff Goldman and Nancy Fuller.

To highlight Friendsgiving, host Jesse Palmer asks the remaining 10 bakers to create flavor friends desserts designed to make a seasonal flavor pairing shine. Then, the bakers are divided into two teams for the ultimate fall flavor showdown as they take on apple vs. pumpkin desserts in an all-out effort to settle the debate for judges Carla Hall, Duff Goldman and Nancy Fuller.

Host Jesse Palmer throws a holiday cookie exchange party, and the bakers must create flavor-forward seasonal cookies -- but no decorated sugar cookies or gingerbread allowed! Judges Carla Hall, Duff Goldman and Nancy Fuller decide the winner of the preheat in a blind tasting, and the bakers get to vote for their favorite cookie as well! Then, the bakers must rise to the occasion by making holiday cookie cakes that feature two different types of cookies, a minimum of four layers and a flavor twist to help wash it all down.

Celebrating the Thanksgiving feast and sitting at the kid's table never felt so special as host Jesse Palmer asks the bakers to make over-the-top Thanksgiving cupcakes for the preheat that are designed to make the adult table jealous. Kids Baking Championship alums and guest judges Matt Azuma and Summer Haque join judges Carla Hall, Duff Goldman and Nancy Fuller. Then, the bakers create Thanksgiving pies with 3-D decor elements to bring drama and deliciousness to the feast.

Host Jesse Palmer steps back in time to the Victorian era for an old-fashioned Christmas party. In the preheat, the remaining nine bakers are tasked with making fruitcake-blend desserts with a marinated mix of dried fruit, spices and liquor. Then, the bakers must make Lambeth cakes featuring intricate piping, strong color schemes and an unexpected twist featuring an old-timey ingredient. Judges Carla Hall, Duff Goldman and Nancy Fuller decide which baker will be eliminated.

Grab your favorite ugly Christmas sweater and join host Jesse Palmer for presents, games and tasty holiday challenges. In the preheat, the bakers team up to make ooey-gooey holiday caramel and chocolate desserts. Then, the real party begins as the ice luge arrives, and the bakers make boozy trifles for judges Carla Hall, Duff Goldman and Nancy Fuller that feature an assigned liqueur and a twist with a lot of personality.

Get cozy for the holiday pajama party! Host Jesse Palmer tasks the bakers with making footie pajama macarons in the preheat. Then, it's time to decorate the tree as the bakers team up to make cream puff garlands. Finally, the competitors must make white elephant desserts consisting of either a Charlotte royale, entremets cake or a dacquoise cake and decorate it with a holiday stuffed cuddle toy. The stakes are high as judges Carla Hall, Duff Goldman and Nancy Fuller decide who will advance to the finale.

In the season finale, host Jesse Palmer is throwing a gingerbread house party with all the trimmings! In the preheat, the bakers create faux candy desserts, traditional candy decorations that are actually desserts on the inside. Then, the competitors must take inspiration from holiday eggnog flavors to create the most impressive eggnog desserts for judges Carla Hall, Duff Goldman and Nancy Fuller, and one baker will be eliminated. For the final challenge, the bakers construct gingerbread house cakes in unique architectural styles like modern, Tudor, cozy cottage or castle. In the end, only one baker will be named Holiday Baking Champion and take home $25,000!