Lorraine to judge Holiday Baking Championship

Holidays at Food Network are going to get even sweeter with their new series Holiday Baking Championships.

From cookie exchanges, to holiday pies, to fruitcakes and gingerbread houses, eight bakers show off their holiday dessert traditions, and superb baking skills as they compete on Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship.

In order to survive this festive competition, hosted by Bobby Deen, contestants must prove their abilities to win a sweet spot in the hearts of judges Lorraine, Duff Goldman (Ace of Cakes) and Nancy Fuller (Farmhouse Rules), and Lorraine Pascale.

Only one winner will take home the grand prize of $50,000 and the title of Holiday Baking Champion.

In each of the six hour-long episodes, competitors tackle traditional holiday desserts in challenges that are not as easy as a piece of pie. Will the bakers be able to makeover the much-maligned fruitcake? Can they create anything but a pie with a store-bought pie crust? Will they be able to translate their favorite holiday memory into a delectable dessert?

In the first episode, the bakers’ talents are tested with a cookie challenge. In the pre-heat round, the competitors must open their presents to reveal baking tools that must be used to create the best holiday cookies. One contestant will win a special advantage in the main heat challenge, where they need to make a dozen of three different types of cookies using the classic holiday ingredients - bittersweet chocolate, fresh oranges and toffee bits. They must not let the cookie crumble when curveballs are thrown their way.

Fans can also access all-new recipes, see behind-the-scenes photos and join judge Duff Goldman each week at FoodNetwork.com/BakingChampionship for a special web-exclusive video series featuring fantasy creations based on each episode’s theme.

Series Premiere Sunday, November 9th at 9:00pm ET/PT on Food Network (U.S).

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