Three bakers find fierce competition as they race to create a magical gingerbread "North Pole." Just as they get going, they're thrown a twist and have to think fast while creating a holiday treat that's both delicious and a practical part of their final creations. The judges hand out some high praise and some cold critiques while trying to decide whose gingerbread masterpiece is good enough to give its creator a trip to the grand finale for a shot at $25,000.

Our three finalists go all out to see who can create their biggest "Ultimate Holiday Celebration" scene. Each baker pulls out all the stops and incorporates their own personal touches to their elaborate creations as well as holiday treats for the judges. The competitor that wows the judges the most will walk away with the grand prize of $25,000 and will be featured in Food Network Magazine as the first Holiday Gingerbread Showdown Champion!

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.