Cat in the Hat-inspired desserts this week. There’s always got to be one episode per season that’s a shameless plug for some sponsor. It always gives me vicarious cringe for the contestants, because they have to pretend to be enthused about the latest dumb movie, but this week it was especially cringe, because some of these older siblings are fourteen years old; do you really think they care about the new Cat in the Hat movie? Which, come on, did we really need another Cat in the Hat movie? Seriously? FFS. I’m so over unnecessary remakes. I think filmmakers have simply run out of ideas. All the movies have been made. It’s time to stop.

The little CGI effects annoyed me so much. Every time one popped up I couldn’t wait for it to be over. Maybe on a show for like 4-8 year olds it would have been cool and appropriate, but some of these kids are full-on teenagers, it’s just embarrassing. – I am curious, though, what was happening in the actual studio, and what everyone on set was seeing and reacting to while we were seeing the CGI effects. I have no idea how that works.

Okay, rant over, on to the baking. So the challenge was to create desserts decorated with a rhyming animal “helper” buddy. Abigail and Kenneth did “Blake the snake with a rake”, who helps people tend to their gardens; Leia and Kiera did “Betty the yeti with confetti”, who spreads joy with confetti; Genesis and Akbar did “Lee the bee with a key”, who holds the key to happiness; and Maci and Emmett did a “Frog on a log”, who is there to talk to you when you’re feeling down.

Duff’s example stole my favorite animal: “snail with a pail”, a little friend to follow you around the kitchen and clean up after you. So I can’t re-use snail. What would I make, then, if I were on this show? How about Doug the pug with a mug? A little squishy-faced buddy to bring you coffee when you need energy. If you were good at fondant and sculpting, which I am not, you could make a little pug, and then a little coffee mug out of like modeling chocolate or whatever and fill it with some kind of custard or pudding. Obviously you’d need to place this on a coffee-flavored dessert, like maybe a cream-filled pie. What would you guys make? It’s actually harder than you’d think, to think of animals that rhyme with stuff, so I hope they gave the kids ample time to prepare their ideas!

Leia and Kiera knocked it out of the park once again. Right off the bat rhyming “yeti” with “confetti,” and even thinking of “yeti” in the first place, is some next-level creativity. They got some criticism for pull-apart cupcakes being “too simple,” but that was before Duff and Kardea realized that those colorful little candies were not just random gumballs for decoration, but mango-filled truffles! A wise move. Those truffles definitely stepped the whole thing up a notch or two. I couldn’t help noticing that Duff was critiquing their dessert as if he were critiquing an adult’s creation on a regular Baking Championship: the mango filling a bit too soft and fluffy to go with a hard chocolate exterior – I mean, this is seriously nitpicky stuff, completely glossing over the mind-boggling fact that these children just produced an immaculate fondant sculpture of a yeti and an assortment of homemade white chocolate-mango truffles, not to even mention the mango-filled coconut cupcakes underneath. If any other Next Gen contestant had done that, I’m pretty sure the judges would have just been stunned, but from Leia and Kiera it’s just business as usual at this point. If these girls don’t win next week, I’m going to be floored.

Seriously – it almost feels unfair. Like I almost feel like these two shouldn’t have been allowed to compete on this show because they’re so advanced. There should be a show in between Next Gen and the adult leagues – something for teens who are already really technically skilled. Leia and Kiera would be a better fit for a show like that. I want to know where they learned how to bake and decorate!

Not that the other contestants aren’t amazing though! Genesis and Akbar’s pie may have been a little messy, with that lattice crust looking kind of unfinished around the edges, but the pie apparently tasted insane. The judges didn’t say so explicitly, but I’m pretty sure that was the most delicious dessert this episode. These two haven’t yet made something that didn’t taste mind-blowing, except maybe in week three when they were forced to work with jalapeño. Undoubtedly, whether they win next week or not, they will go on to do amazing things.

My husband is rooting for Genesis and Akbar, but I don’t really have a favorite. Like I said in week one, it’s hard to pick a favorite when all the contestants are children. I honestly like all of the remaining teams so much.

And it was sad to see Maci and Emmett go home. They were such strong contenders, but alas!, their pie filling didn’t set, and that one flaw was enough to send them home, at this point, because everyone else’s were so good. What a shame. Maci looks like my elementary school BFF, so I had kind of a special soft spot for her.

Abigail and Kenneth – I haven’t mentioned them yet, but they did amazing this week, too, and finally won a challenge! The décor on those cream puffs was gorgeous, with the black icing and gold “scale” decorations. And, Abigail’s imitation of a chicken sounded so real, I literally thought there was a chicken on the set somewhere, lol. She’s a trip. “Who’s your biggest competition?” “Myself.” And when they asked Kenneth the same question, he just pointed at her. She’s just the coolest.

So yes, I think it will be Leia and Kiera next week, simply because they are so technically good, but if they slip up on their flavors, it could very well be either of the other teams. Abigail and Kenneth are consistently strong, and Genesis and Akbar are obviously amazing at what they do. I’m in suspense!

This show has surprised me! I wasn’t too into it at first, but now I actually really look forward to Tuesday nights. It’s been fun. What do we think? If you’re watching this show too, leave me your comments! Even if you’re watching this in like 2028 or beyond and you think I won’t care anymore! I want to hear from you!

Superlatives from the judges: 0 (Running Total: 6)

Kid who most deserved a hug: Lee the Bee. I freaking loved him! Lol no jk, it’s gotta be Genesis, for the look on her face in that brief moment after Kardea just silently pushed her plate of pie away as if she were disgusted. Poor kid! But, what do you know, she nailed it again.

Kid who most deserved a high five: Kiera, for being so kind to Maci and Emmett after their elimination. She was right there gushing about how great they did. She seems like such a sweet girl!

The dessert that I would most have liked to eat: Probably Genesis and Akbar’s apple caramel pecan pie… although Abigail and Kenneth’s raspberry cream puffs looked awfully good, too, so I dunno.