In each of the six hour-long episodes, four bakers, along with their assistants, must bake non-stop in 3 rounds for 2 hours each. They first must complete creative cookies, next is decadent cupcakes and, finally, a showpiece cake; all from scratch and inspired by a surprise theme. As each round nears the two hour mark, Buddy and two rotating expert judges visit each baker’s station to taste and critique their sweets. With time still running and the bakers continuing to work, the judges determine the baker’s item on the bottom of the batch and send them home; until the last round when a winner is declared from the 2 remaining bakers. It’s a battle against the clock and the winning baker gets to finally relax on a dream vacation of their choice!

Martha Stewart helps guide six talented amateur bakers as they brave the outdoor elements for an opportunity to perfect their baking skills.

Holiday cookies are more than mere sweets: they are gifts, mementos of childhood, and most certainly made with pride. In this Christmas Cookie Challenge hosted by Jonathan Bennett, five confident and daring bakers compete to prove their holiday cookie-making skills. Tough-love judges Duff Goldman, Damaris Phillips, and Sherry Yard are on hand to crown the holiday cookie master, who will go home with a $10,000 prize!