On March 29, 2025, Food Network gave fans a sneak preview of episode 4 from season 11 of the Spring Baking Championship via Instagram. In this entertaining clip, Duff Goldman impersonated Jesse Palmer, complete with a costume and a whimsical voice, to introduce the upcoming challenge. Contestant Raveena, clearly bewildered, expressed her confusion in a confessional interview.
“What is heck? It’s super weird because we hear Jesse’s voice but it’s someone that’s like a foot shorter than him. What is happening?”Raveena asked.
Still in disguise as Jesse, Duff teased that appearances can be misleading. Just when the contestants thought the confusion couldn’t get any greater, the actual Jesse Palmer made a surprising entrance. Duff unveiled his true identity by removing his wig and makeup, revealing that the entire scenario was an April Fools’ joke.
“Jesse was right when he said what you see isn’t always what it appears to be,”stated Duff.
Following the humorous reveal, Jesse introduced the pre-heat challenge. The bakers were tasked with crafting realistic chocolate eggs filled with assorted baked goods, all themed for spring in line with the April Fools’ spirit. Contestants had two and a half hours to showcase their creativity and skills.
Highlights from Last Week’s Episode
In the previous episode aired on March 24, 2025, the contestants faced off in a pre-heat challenge where they developed madeleine towers using specific tea flavors. The winner of this round would receive a coveted gift basket that included immunity from elimination.
Among the flavors was matcha, which both judges Duff Goldman and Jesse Palmer considered particularly challenging. The resulting madeleine towers varied in quality—some bakers excelled in either aesthetics or taste, but few achieved a perfect balance. Kareem struggled with the stability of his tower, yet the judges appreciated the flavors he provided.
Julian’s madeleine tower stood out, with judges praising its delicate hibiscus flavor and impressive chocolate work. His success in this challenge earned him the immunity, which had a unique twist this season: it could be used in any of the next five challenges but had to be redeemed during the bake itself.
Notably, Julian opted to hold on to his immunity, understanding that the competition would intensify, and he wanted to save it for a potentially more critical juncture. In the main challenge, contestants were tasked with creating a rainbow cheesecake adorned with spring fruits, showcasing an ombre effect both inside and out.
Contestants faced the pressing decision of whether to produce a no-bake or baked cheesecake, each option presenting its own challenges. Julian crafted a baked peach cheesecake, featuring layered orange tones and topped with a vibrant sugar rainbow. Though the judges appreciated its presentation, they criticized the thin layers for being slightly overbaked.
Corey received accolades from the judges for his cheesecake’s design and flavor, marking his second consecutive win in the main challenge. Conversely, Paul’s dessert garnered mixed reviews; Kardea Brown questioned its validity as a cheesecake, while Duff and Nancy Fuller commended its creativity. Ultimately, Julian and Stacey found themselves in the bottom two, leading to Stacey’s elimination, allowing Julian to continue in the competition.
Tune in to episode 4 of the Spring Baking Championship season 11, airing on Monday nights at 8 PM ET on Food Network. For those who miss the live show, episodes are available for streaming the following day on MAX.