The bakers are one step closer to the final, but Pastry Week will test their skills like never before. In the Signature, they tackle a tarte Tatin, a caramelized French classic. Then, they face a Technical that demands finesse with a fancy French pastry. Finally, the Showstopper asks for a decorative vertical pie whose layers tell a story through design and flavor. Only the bakers who master these pastry challenges will earn a place in the all-important semifinal.

In the grand finale, the top three bakers face their toughest challenges yet. It begins with a rich chocolate tart for the Signature challenge, followed by a Technical that has the bakers in knots with a braided Swedish bake. For the Showstopper, they must create a breathtaking spring landscape, blending beauty, texture, and flavor into a masterpiece. Only one baker will rise above the rest to earn the coveted cake stand and be crowned America's best amateur baker.