The BEST episodes of The Great American Baking Show season 2

Every episode of The Great American Baking Show season 2, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Great American Baking Show season 2!

Based on the hit UK series, “The Great British Bake Off,” the American version is hosted by Nia Vardalos & husband Ian Gomez, and is judged by Mary Berry & Johnny Iuzzini. The show premiered as “The Great Holiday Baking Show” but changed the name for its second season. It stars some of the nation’s best amateur bakers as they compete in a series of themed challenges and eliminations, all hoping to be crowned Baking Champion.

Last Updated: 10/31/2024Network: ABC (US)Status: Ended
Custard & Meringue Week
star
8.15
13 votes

#1 - Custard & Meringue Week

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 12/22/2016

In the bakers' Signature Challenge, they will tackle Crème Brûlée - a dozen perfectly silky custards hidden beneath a hard caramel topping with unique flavors like chestnut, apple, peanut, maple and fennel. In the Technical, Mary Berry shares one of her favorite dishes to ring in the New Year, the French dish, oeufs en neige - otherwise known as "eggs in snow." For the Showstopper Challenge, the bakers will make 24 petite pavlovas, a baked meringue creation from Australia and New Zealand. Everyone is on pins and needles, as the bakers won't know if they've achieved the classic marshmallow center until their pavlovas are sliced open during judging.

Watch Now:Amazon
Finals Week
star
7.90
29 votes

#2 - Finals Week

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 1/12/2017

Ten amateur bakers from across the country entered the tent, and now only two remain. The winner of this week will be named America's Best Amateur Baker.

Watch Now:Amazon
Bread Week
star
7.88
40 votes

#3 - Bread Week

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 12/8/2016

In the Signature Challenge, the bakers create a dozen perfectly sized dinner rolls incorporating unique flavors and spices, including those traditional to Portugal and India. In the Technical Challenge, it's Johnny's Christmas Stollen, a traditional German Christmas fruit and nut bread. Finally, the competitors must create elaborate sculptures with bread!

Watch Now:Amazon
Patisserie Week
star
7.79
24 votes

#4 - Patisserie Week

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 1/5/2017

It’s the semi-finals, and the bakers prepare Petit four glacé-style mini cakes, French crullers, and mille-feuille.

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Pies & Tarts Week
star
7.67
33 votes

#5 - Pies & Tarts Week

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 12/15/2016

This week the bakers are frantically whipping egg whites and lighting up their blowtorches to give their meringues toasted finishes, hoping their creations stand up - and out - to the judges. Next is the Technical Challenge, where Mary surprises the bakers with her recipe for Partridge in a Pear Tart. With no molds, the bakers must freeform their creations, and not everyone finds pear shape perfection. Finally, for their Showstopper Challenge, it's all about savory flavors with Hors D'oeuvre Tartlets. With ingredients like kimchi butter and southern grits, these bakers are going outside of the box to create delicious holiday treats!

Watch Now:Amazon
Chocolate Week
star
7.61
31 votes

#6 - Chocolate Week

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 12/22/2016

For the Signature Bake, the bakers are tasked with creating a dozen molten lava cakes where mere minutes in the oven can result in a cake whose center flows like hot magna or has no ooey-gooeyness at all. Next is the Technical Challenge, where the bakers are tasked to create a perfect assortment of delicious and decadent truffles. Finally, for their Showstopper Challenge, it's a naked, layered mousse cake full of soft, silky layers of flavorful mousse, built upon a baked foundation and topped with elaborate chocolate decorations. In the end, not everyone's desserts will rise to the occasion, and another baker will be eliminated from the competition.

Watch Now:Amazon
Cookie Week
star
7.55
29 votes

#7 - Cookie Week

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 12/1/2016

In their Signature Challenge, the bakers tackle bar cookies, showcasing everything from compotes to crumbles. In the Technical, Johnny challenges the bakers with a cookie that must be baked twice – biscotti. Then, in the Showstopper Bake, the bakers build elaborate 3D Iced Cookie Scenes.

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Cake Week
star
7.31
32 votes

#8 - Cake Week

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 12/1/2016

For their very first Signature Bake, the bakers are tasked with making bundt cakes inspired by winter flavors. Next up, a Technical Challenge of Mary Berry's recipe for apple almond cake. And lastly, The Showstopper Bake has these bakers constructing fantastical multi-tiered holiday celebration cakes.

Watch Now:Amazon