Jeri Jacquin

Coming to The Roku Channel to prepare us for the holidays is the famous tent but this time filled with non-Brits is THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW: Celebrity Holiday.

It should not be a surprise that I am a huge fan of THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW since its very beginning. Throughout the years and changes of host and judges, I have never missed an episode for a holiday show. This time, it is the Americans tackling the challenges of baking for the holidays!

Chloe Fineman, Nat Faxon, D’Arcy Carden, Liza Koshy, Marshawn Lynch and Joel Kim Booster are attempting to take home the cake stand and the Star Baker crown. Hosting the show is Ellie Kemper and Zach Cherry who go from stand to stand to see what each star is creating. Watching with his steely blue eyes is Paul Hollywood and looking for boozy buns is Prue Leith.

Starting out with the Signature Challenge, they must make 12 identical filled cream puffs, the tension is on as each baker brings his own idea of a delicious puff to fruition. Of course, most of the tension is caused by Paul Hollywood giving each baker the stare-of-steel and the straight-face Prue. During the judging, history is made and bakers are thrilled.

That isn’t all, for Round 2, the Technical Challenge set by Paul – they must make a meringue wreath and very detailed. The recipe is only written for them in slight detail and the bakers must decide for themselves how long their creations must bake. The bakers come to realize that first of all they are not sure what a meringue wreath is! The panic in the tent is palpable and hilarious at the same time.

Finally, the Show Stopper Challenge will decide who will be the winner! They are being asking to bake a cake decorated with a 3-D element in the theme of their favorite winter holiday tradition. Given three hours, on your mark, get set and bake!

Made with sponge cake, Paul and Prue are looking for sheer perfection and to know exactly what the story is to the cake. Then again, anyone who is a fan of the show knows that these two judges are committed to their jobs and it keeps bakers either sweating or cheering. As you can imagine, each baker has a unique story to tell and the word ‘unusual’ would be absolutely appropriate.

That is what happens in the tent of the THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW: Celebrity Holiday!

The Roku Channel streams hundreds of hit movies, popular shows, 24/7 live news and is the home for free and premium television anywhere you go. There are also amazing Roku Originals such as Swimming with Sharks.

THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW: Celebrity Holiday comes in time to celebrate the baking that starts this holiday season. Watching the celebrities bring their stuff to the tent is interesting, especially since most of them say they are not bakers. I have to say that my favorite taking on the challenges is Marshawn Lynch.

Facing the wrath of Paul Hollywood is always a thrill with his eyes giving away nothing as he watches each of the contestants whip up their creations. Prue is less with the frightening stares but instead gives insight to the bakers and praise with anything that might have a little boozy bits in it which cracks me up every time.

Hosts Kemper and Cherry keep an eye on the bakers as well but from a more comical perspective. Knowing this is stressful, they each interact but stand back when things get a bit – well – holiday baking rushed.

THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW: Celebrity Holiday is holiday from for everyone actually. I mean, we don’t have to bake but the creations sure will make you wish you could eat. Each of the celebrities bring creations and even take chances and find themselves really wanting to win the coveted cake stand.

I give nothing away and yet give everything because this is a show that should be enjoyed, give everyone many laughs and marvel at what these celebrities come up with. Not always successful and not always pretty to look at but darn it if you won’t find yourselves cheering them on with each challenge.

That’s what makes the holidays cheery and bright so get ready for mouth watering holiday treats from the celebrities!

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