Next Great Baker

The competitors put their baking skills to the test when they are paired up into teams to create a 4-foot-tall theme cake. But it may be every baker for themselves when Buddy presents an interesting challenge to win immunity.

Sculpted cakes are one of the most popular requests and nobody does them better than Buddy. The competitors are asked to create life-sized sculpted cakes in 10 hours with special mystery clients serving as the models.

Being the Next Great Baker means creating cakes that are magazine worthy. The stakes are raised when the competitors are asked to create elaborate wedding cakes inspired by the latest trends for Brides magazine.

Competition heats up when the bakers break into teams to create their best holiday themed cake for the Valastro Christmas party. But not everyone is merry as tempers flare, and one baker makes a trip to the hospital.

Sparks fly when Buddy asks the competitors to work together to create one-of-a-kind engineered cakes. If they want to wow the judges, these cakes will need to spin, smoke and move -- but it's not Valastro-style without a twist.

Speed and agility are put to the test when the bakers are asked to unload an industrial 400-degree oven for the Baker's Challenge. Later, it's time to go wild as the bakers must construct animal cakes for a zoo.

The competitors must team up to create an offbeat wedding cake for a true bridezilla. It's the ultimate test to see how these bakers will handle a difficult client, but the bride's requests may prove to be too demanding.

It's boys vs. girls as the bakers are asked to create heavy-metal cakes, complete with pyrotechnics, for a very special birthday. These cakes need to rock, or somebody is going out with a bang.

It's down to the final four, and it's every baker for themselves. Buddy brings in 2011 Miss USA, Alyssa Campanella, to help judge who will make it to the finale as the competitors create their best cake celebrating Alyssa's life.

The final three bakers make their best pastries to sell at Carlo's Bakery, and the baker who sells the least will go home early. The remaining two competitors will create the ultimate American Dream cake in the final showdown.