Ep 4. You Afraid of the Dark Cookie?

In season 1 of Halloween Cookie Challenge, episode 4 titled "You Afraid of the Dark Cookie?", four skilled cookie makers compete against one another in a spooky nighttime bake-off to win the ultimate prize of $10,000. Hosted by Carla Hall and judged by expert cookie masters Stephanie Boswell and Damiano Carrara, this episode sees the bakers given the task of creating Halloween cookies that will make the judges jump out of their seats.

As the episode begins, the contestants are given a brief on their challenge. They are required to create a set of cookies that are dark and eerie, even scary. The catch? These cookies can only be crafted and decorated in the dark, using only flashlights, camping lanterns, and spooky sound effects to guide them. Understandably, the bakers are a little apprehensive about the challenge, but they are determined to showcase their impressive baking skills despite the constraints.

The first challenge of the episode is a timed one. Each baker has just one hour to bake a batch of cookies, and this time, they must incorporate an unconventional ingredient - black garlic. While some of the bakers have used black garlic before, others are unfamiliar with the ingredient and struggle to figure out how to work with it. As the bakers race against the clock, they also have to work out how to best utilize their flashlights and sound effects to create an overall spooky atmosphere.

The judges are impressed with the creativity and flavors of the cookies. One baker creates a set of cookies that are inspired by a witch's brew and use black garlic to give it a smoky, savory flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of the cookie. Another baker infuses the black garlic into a rich chocolate dough, creating a deep, mysterious flavor. As the judges deliberate on the winner of this round, they are pleased to see the amount of skill and inventiveness showcased by each of the bakers.

For the second challenge, the bakers are asked to create a batch of cookies inspired by classic horror movies. The contestants must choose a movie and create a set of cookies that capture the essence of the film. Dressed in spooky costumes, the bakers get to work, creating intricate designs that are both imaginative and frightening. From zombie cookies to Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers-inspired designs, the contestants unleash their inner horror buffs to make their cookies stand out.

At the end of the second round, the judges taste each of the cookies and provide feedback on the flavors, designs, and overall presentation of each batch. They are impressed by the creativity and attention to detail displayed by each of the bakers. The judges note that the contestants have truly risen to the challenge of creating outstanding cookies in the dark.

As the episode draws to a close, the judges have to make the difficult decision of which of the bakers will move on to the finale. With so much creativity and skill on display, it is not an easy choice. But at the end of the day, the judges announce the winner of the episode and the baker who will compete in the grand finale.

Overall, "You Afraid of the Dark Cookie?" is an exciting, spooky episode that showcases the amazing talent of the contestants. From the unexpected black garlic ingredient to the eerie nighttime setting, the episode keeps audiences on the edge of their seats with tension and suspense. The contestants truly rise to the challenge, creating cookies that are both frightening and delicious, and leave viewers eager for more.