Next Level Baker served up a dramatic double elimination in its second episode, which aired on December 11, 2025. Titled “This Ain’t Snow Joke,” the holiday baking competition saw the eight remaining bakers tackle two distinct challenges that left a major mark on the contest’s future. The results mean no professional bakers remain in the hunt for the $25,000 prize and the first-ever Next Level Baker title.
The episode brought big surprises, from an unexpected Santa delivery to festive carolers, but the biggest shocks came from the judges’ decisions. Aubrey, a professional baker from Baltimore, and Chad, a professional baker from Delavan, Wisconsin, were both sent home. This leaves the competition with six bakers moving forward: three social media bakers and three home bakers.
Ginger Challenge Tests Holiday Creativity
The first test required bakers to create a holiday-themed dessert featuring ginger in just 75 minutes. They were divided into three kitchens, each overseen by one of the show’s mentors: Candace Nelson with the Top Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay with the Middle Kitchen, and Carla Hall with the Basement Kitchen.
A high-pressure 30-second ingredient grab from a descending tower set the chaotic tone. Social media baker Nikki froze and could only secure ginger ale, putting her at an immediate disadvantage. Professional baker Aubrey faced her own struggle, as her cakes baked too quickly, forcing her to start over.
Midway through, a special twist offered hope. Each baker could request one specific ingredient from “Santa,” who then delivered it to their station. Despite this help, a small kitchen mix-up occurred when social media baker Chloe accidentally used home baker Stefani’s whipped cream. Stefani had to quickly remake her topping before time ran out.
Mentor evaluations revealed clear winners and a bottom tier. In the Basement Kitchen, Chad’s cake was approved, and Nikki’s was praised for its rich, buttery flavor and clear ginger taste. In the Middle Kitchen, Zoha’s creation was called “stunning,” and the ginger flavor was prominent.
“For 75 minutes, it feels simple. They are flat and very heavy,” the mentors said of Aubrey’s ginger madeleines.
The entire Top Kitchen—Aubrey, Chloe, and Stefani—landed in the bottom group. Ultimately, the mentors decided that Aubrey’s underdeveloped bakes were the weakest, making her the first elimination of the night.
Tropical Fruit Holiday Getaway Leads to Final Elimination
For the second challenge, the remaining seven bakers had to create a holiday dessert using tropical fruits. The mentor assignments changed for this round: Gordon Ramsay moved to the Basement Kitchen, Candace Nelson to the Middle Kitchen, and Carla Hall to the Top Kitchen.
The ingredient selection proved difficult again, especially for Nikki, who ended up with guava—a fruit she had never baked with before. As the bakers worked, an unexpected group of carolers entered the kitchens, spreading holiday cheer. While some bakers enjoyed the interruption, Gordon Ramsay in the basement was notably less amused.
Technical problems arose for several contestants. Chloe’s planned dessert did not puff properly, forcing her to pivot and reshape her creation into a sandwich format. Meanwhile, the last remaining professional baker, Chad, assured mentor Carla Hall to trust his process as he worked.
The tasting session brought mixed reviews. Chloe’s quick pivot was successful, with judges saying her dessert “feels like a celebration”. Jeff’s tropical fruit tart was called “delicious”. However, Chad’s dish faced harsh criticism.
“The frosting destroyed the sponge,” the judges concluded about Chad’s tropical fruit bake.
After evaluations, the mentors announced the results for the second challenge. Home bakers Stefani and Jeff had the top dishes. Social media bakers Zoha and Chloe were safe. This left home baker Deirdra and social media baker Nikki in the bottom, alongside Chad.
In the end, Chad was eliminated, marking the exit of the final professional baker from the competition.
“After I have a very short pity party, it’s going to be okay. I will keep trusting in the process,” Chad said after his elimination.
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Remaining Bakers and How to Watch
Following the dramatic double elimination, the six bakers advancing to the next round are:
Social Media Bakers:
- Nikita “Nikki” Jackson (Rowlett, TX)
- Chloe Sexton (Germantown, TN)
- Zoha Malik (Newark, CA)
Home Bakers:
- Stefanie Embree (Oklahoma City, OK)
- Deirdra Lambright (Atlanta, GA)
- Jeff Chudakoff (West Hollywood, CA)
The next episode of Next Level Baker, a two-part finale titled “A Not So Silent Night,” is scheduled to air on Thursday, December 18, 2025. New episodes air on FOX at 9 p.m. ET/PT and are available for streaming the next day on Hulu.
Also Read: Hell’s Kitchen Season 24 Episode 11: Jayden Eliminated on His Birthday After Losing Dinner Service
