Twelve bakers experience their first set of challenges where their cake-making skills are put to the test.

The bakers must rise to the challenge during bread week where they take on a rye and beetroot bread and add their own flair to the pretzel showstopper challenge.

The contestants must make a batch of chocolate biscuits, French arlettes and biscuit boxes full of surprises.

The bakers must take on the challenge of substituting butter, eggs and dairy to create some classic favourites and a tricky technical bake.

The seven remaining bakers must bring their personal baking style and understanding of the basics and use them on some traditional favourites.

The bakers must display their pastry skills and showcase their imagination with decoration during patisserie week.

The bakers must make careful considerations with their flavours during spice week as they tackle maamoul biscuits and a baklava tower.

The bakers mix things up to create a fusion of favourites, croissants that look like muffins, doughnuts that aren't quite what they seem, and cakes made from anything but cake.

Matt and Maggie set a series of party-themed challenges that will help them select the bakers for the final.

Our three finalists have three bakes that stand between them and the glory of becoming Australia's best amateur baker.