Spring Baking Championship

The competition kicks off in the pre-heat, when the 10 bakers celebrate the bountiful fruits and bright colors of the season by making fruity, tie-dye mini cheesecakes. In the main heat, the theme -- and the competition -- intensifies when the bakers are asked to incorporate fresh herbs and produce color gradients in their naked ombre cakes.

The nine bakers create cupcake flower arrangements and amp up the flower power with flower essences; in the main heat, the competitors are challenged to make and decorate mirror-glazed gazing balls and plate them in edible gardens.

The eight bakers work in teams to create springtime mini pies perfect for an outdoor gathering; the competitors make desserts using three items from a picnic basket, but are not allowed to make the same thing as their picnic partners.

The seven bakers take on springtime eclairs in the pre-heat challenge; host Ali Khan asks the bakers to create edible spring goodie baskets filled with two types of baked treats, one of which must use a hard-boiled egg.

The six bakers have to create berry tiny desserts that pack a big punch; the main heat features an explosion of color and design as the bakers take on spring-patterned roll cakes.

The five bakers must use only agave as the sweetener in an assigned dessert: a tart, a flourless cake, an ice cream sandwich, a doughnut or a cupcake; for the main heat, the bakers make succulent cakes that rival the real thing.

In the pre-heat, the four bakers must pair avocado with chocolate, lime, orange or ginger in a dessert; in the main heat, the bakers add a spring feel to a winter dessert such as pumpkin pie, pecan pie, bread pudding or peppermint bark.

The three remaining bakers must use ugly ingredients to make the most beautiful dessert in the pre-heat; the main heat is all about hidden beauty; the bakers must prepare vibrant and colorful geode cakes using handmade rock candy to win.