The recruits arrive at a county fair and have to take part in a very messy pie-eating contest. Later, they enter a baking competition to be judged by Duff and Lorraine during a blind tasting. For the main challenge, donuts are made.

Four recruits are left. For their first challenge, they must show their knowledge of pastries and, with help from YouTube baking star Ashley Adams, they make animal-inspired éclairs. Later, puppies act as muses for 3-D dog cakes.

Twelve disastrous bakers begin a six-week boot camp to shape them into pastry experts in the series premiere, which finds hosts Duff Goldman and Lorraine Pascale having to start with the basics when teaching their recruits a classic sugar cookie recipe.

Love is in the air, as Duff Goldman and Lorraine Pascale invite some brides and grooms to boot camp. First, the recruits have to sculpt wedding cake toppers of the special guests in a decorating art class. Afterwards, the recruits go head-to-head and bake a four-layer celebration cake. The two that fall below the baking bar will be sent home.

Chefs Duff Goldman and Lorraine Pascale have to taste some terrifying baked goods at the Halloween-themed boot camp. First, the recruits must create scary cake pops to impress some very tough critics: little trick or treaters! Then, for their main baking challenge, the recruits put their Halloween candy to good use as they bake some surprise-inside cupcakes. The two recruits that make the most frightful treats will be sent home

Teams are chosen after each attempt to create their dream desserts. Then the recruits make unique cookie designs.

The final two recruits must take over a bakery and bake for a panel of baking experts; Duff Goldman and Lorraine Pascale serve as mentors as their recruits put their skills to the test; one recruit will be named the winner and take home $25,000.

Skill Drill: Identify a variety of cake ingredients by only touching them. Main Challenge: Rainbow mirror glazed cakes.

Skill Drill: Blind cotton-candy tasting and Circus Clown Cake Pops head-to-head Main Challenge: Circus style cream puffs

Skill Drill: Relay race & fruit custard tart w/ meringue Main Challenge: 3-D Animal cakes

Final Challenge: 3 Course dessert menu Judges: Thiago Silva, Melba Wilson, and Dan Langan