The competition kicks off as host Jesse Palmer asks the twelve bakers to embrace the seasonal transition by making fall and winter doughnuts. For the main heat, the competitors combine holiday cheese board staples in creative apple and cheese desserts. A double elimination looms and judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman and Carla Hall must send two bakers home for the holidays.

In a holiday pantry raid, host Jesse Palmer throws open the cupboards and the Mason jars to ask the nine remaining bakers to create canned fruit desserts. In the main heat, judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman and Carla Hall are in for a treat when the competitors create heartfelt messages on top of everyone's favorite Thanksgiving dessert -- pie! In the end, one baker goes home.