No matter what version of this show there is be it British, Canadian or Junior, cookie week is always my favourite week. I love making cookies so I do feel that I can excel during this week (if I make it that far). So which cookies will our bakers have to tackle this week.

Signature Bake

The Bake: 12 Embroidery Cookies

The Time: 2 hours

What I would bake: My base would be a cardamom sugar cookie with an Earl Grey icing. But I would say I would fail at doing the embroidery part. I’ve been practicing my cookie decorating skills this year but it still could use some work. My design would probably be cherry blossoms on it.

What the contestants baked and judges thoughts:

Of all the ones listed below, Heather’s is the only one that I am interested in trying. 

• Andrew: Cookie Cocktail made with peppery orange sugar cookies with Italian bitter icing. Kyla liked the Negroni cookie when she thought she wouldn’t.
• Camila: Cumbia Cookies made with cranberry and lime cookies and hibiscus icing. Bruno noted the cookie was crumbly and crunchy.
• Candice: Sugar, Spice, My Family is Nice Cookies made with lemon and basil cookies and ginger bitters icing.  Bruno said the cookies could have used more time in the oven.
• Heather: Plums for Oma made with cocoa and clove cookies and espresso icing. Bruno like the richness of the cocoa and the hint of coffee.
• Kathy: Cuppa Tea Cookies made with Earl Grey cookies and lemon icing. Kyla was impressed with the decorative work and said the tea flavour worked.
• Loïc: Ode to William Morris made with blueberry and chai cookies and lemon icing. Kyla liked the blueberries and Bruno called it exquisite in taste and look. 
• Niv: Cookie Tapestry made with hibiscus rosehip cookies and pomegranate icing. Bruno liked the texture of the cookie and Kyla said it tasted tropical.
• Rainier: Proud Peacock Cookies made with black sesame tahini cookies and geranium icing. Bruno liked how shiny the icing was. Kyla liked the geranium icing. 

Technical Bake

The Bake: 12 Kaak Nakache

The Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

How I would have fared: I’ve never heard of this cookie. It looks so ornate. I think I would have trouble with the rolling and creating that intricate design but the crimping tool does help. The issue would be to use it correctly. I would probably be near the bottom on this one.

How the bakers did:

1. Niv
2. Andrew
3. Rainier
4. Candice
5. Camilla
6. Kathy
7. Loïc
8. Heather

Showstopper

The Bake: Cookie layer cake that is at least 4 layers and a combination of tasty fillings.

The Time: 3 hours and 30 minutes

What I would bake: This sounds like a challenge that I saw on Junior Bake Off. I think I would do Mickey Mouse ears and really decorate the top cookie to look like Mickey mouse. I would alternate with one cookie being a chocolate sugar cookie and the other would be a vanilla sugar cookie. The filling would be cookie butter buttercream. 

What the contestants baked and judges thoughts:

Kathy’s sounds delicious and interesting she went savoury. Of the sweet ones, I like Niv’s, Rainier’s and Loïc.

• Andrew: Big Ol’ Carrot made with carrot cookie, coconut cookie, pineapple jam and brown sugar buttercream. Kyla liked all the piping definitions. Kyla liked the spice but Bruno found the buttercream waxy.
• Camila: Berry Tasty Macaron Sandwich made with chocolate lace cookies, almond macaron and raspberry creme diplomat. Bruno loved the filling and everything in the middle but said the macaron was on the dry side.
• Candice: Back in Time for Trifle made with raspberry shortbread, custard and peach shortbread. Bruno said it looked like a trifle but Kyla noted the rush piping. Kyla said the shortbread kept its texture.
• Heather: Midnight Snack Cookie Cake made with peanut butter cookies, grape jelly and topped with a tempered chocolate tree. Bruno liked the contrast of colours. Kyla noticed the pooling of the jam but said it really tasted like a PB&J.
• Kathy: Out of the box Cookies n’ Lox made with miso cookies, squid cookies and wasabi cream cheese topped with cured salmon. Kyla said the cookies support all the ingredients and she even said wow and danced while eating.
• Loïc: Macaron Charlotte made with ladyfingers, raspberry mousse centre and pistachio and chocolate macaron. Bruno noted his struggle with the macarons but he liked the flavour of the mousse and the macarons.
• Niv: Orchard of Cookies made with cowboy cookies, Hojicha maple cookies, apple pie filling and meringue. Bruno called the look enchanting and whimsical. Bruno said there is a perfect balance of all the flavours.
• Rainier: Tall, Dark and Mysterious Cookie Cake made with chocolate cookies, cherry jam, Marcona almond meringue and covered with rice paper. Kyla noted the messy piping. Bruno liked the chocolate cookies but the buttercream was a bit too salty. 

Up for Star Baker: Kathy, Heather

In danger of going home: Andrew, Rainier

Star Baker: Kathy

Going Home: Rainier

Quick Thoughts: Kathy did deserve to be Star Baker. She went out of the box to do a savoury cookie layer cake that really impressed the judges. Not too surprised that Rainier went home as he was skating by week to week.  Unless Andrew pulls it together, he will go home next. Next week is harvest week and I am interested in what will be the bakes.