Paige Davis unleashes the three bakers on a challenge to make gingerbread showpieces that tell quite a "tail," and they also have to create holiday treats delicious enough to prove the bite is as big as their bark. Judges Mary Berg, Maneet Chauhan and Adam Young have a "ruff" time choosing a winner after tasting a Key lime fudge bite, gummy snowmen and a Mexican wedding cake dog bone.

Paige Davis challenges the three bakers to use their sense of humor and make their best gingerbread creations while envisioning the worst Christmas ever. To make the competition even tougher, they also have to make tasty holiday treats in only two hours. Judges Mary Berg, Maneet Chauhan and Adam Young sample the competitors' edible coffee treats, gingersnap ornaments and a super spicy chocolate cupcake before choosing a winner.

Paige Davis challenges a cookier, a caker and a gingerbread book maker to use their baking skills to give the big man a much-needed day off. Each baker uses their own specialties to whisk Santa away to a unique vacation. With classic gingerbread techniques, showstopping icing artwork and tropical decorations on full display, judges Mary Berg, Maneet Chauhan and Adam Young have a hard time deciding which two competitors will join Santa in taking some time off and which one will head to the finale.

Holiday Gingerbread Showdown honors the 35th anniversary of the Christmas movie Gremlins by challenging the three finalists to build even bigger and better showpieces. Paige Davis gives the competitors one week to bring the movie to life in gingerbread, and one baker earns a 30-minute advantage by creating the best holiday treat. The bakers use classic gingerbread, new techniques and bold ambitions to create realistic gingerbread gremlins, but judges Mary Berg, Maneet Chauhan and Adam Young can choose only one winner of the $25,000 prize.