The third episode of the fifth season of Cupcake Wars was all about couture fashion and a punk rock edge. The reward was to present at the opening of the Pastry Footwear spring collection for Angela and Vanessa Simmons. The judges for this episode were Candace Nelson of the world’s first cupcake bakery- Sprinkles Cupcakes, Florian Bellanger of MadMac Macarons, and Angela and Vanessa Simmons themselves, stars of MTV’s Run’s House.
The four competing bakeries were Sandra Wharton for Vanilla Bean Biscotti and Pastry Boutique in Fort Wayne, Indiana; AJ for Chef AJ’s Healthy Kitchen in Sherman Oaks, California; Amanda Kish for K Cupcakes in Jefferson, Ohio; and finally Mamie Doyle for Miss Mamie’s Cupcakes, Cakes and Such in Mariana, Georgia.
The taste test challenge was all about classic pastry flavors. Contestants had to incorporate inspiration from one or more of the following: macarons, baklava, elephant ears, éclair, cannoli, Lindsor tort, and apple strudel. Sandra Wharton had major problems in the kitchen. She put in powdered sugar rather then granular which made a very flat cake. She redid the batter but could not recover and was sent home.
The decoration challenge was to make three cupcakes with fashionista and footwear symbols. Half of the judging points would be given to the appearance and half toward the flavors. AJ was sent home for flavors that felt “depraved”. She bakes vegan and allergen free but this was not an excuse for the judges.
The final round had Amanda Kish and Mamie Doyle going head to head in a 1,000-cupcake battle. Each had the help of a carpenter to create a tower to hold represent the couture footwear theme. Mamie created a display that incorporated actual feet and shoes from the collection. She won for her inventive use of the shoes and her excellent flavors.
