My mind is made up — Priya’s Persian Love Cake deserved more recognition in Spring Baking Championship

Spring Baking Championship season 11 episode 10 aired on May 13, 2025. It was a fun challenge for the bakers, who were tasked with making a classic French dessert called a Fraisier—a layered sponge cake with mousse and strawberries. The bakers would have to add their twist to it but could use the original recipe as a guide.

Priya Winsor gave her Fraisier a charming Persian twist. She used bold flavors like cardamom, rose, citrus, and saffron, calling it the Persian Love Cake. Priya shared with the judges the story behind her cake, which comes from an old Persian folktale about a woman who bakes a cake for the man she loves.

If he loves the cake, they are blessed to be together! If not, she gets to enjoy the cake herself. It was not only about the food and taste but also meant to share a story. Personally, I think Priya's mix of bold flavors, cultural inspiration, and personal storytelling made her cake the most special bake of the entire season!

In my opinion, Priya’s cake was one of the most creative and meaningful bakes of the season. It had bold flavors, a beautiful story, and a personal connection—yet the judges didn’t seem to fully appreciate how much thought and heart she put into it.

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Priya’s flavors told a story — but the judges wanted more intensity in Spring Baking Championship

When the judges tasted Priya’s Persian Love Cake, the feedback was mixed. Kardea Brown loved the cake, describing the cream as “velvety” and calling the hint of rose and pistachio a “chef’s kiss.” She even said it was one of the best desserts they had that day. Nancy Fuller also praised the sugar-coated strawberries on top, saying the cake looked beautiful and elegant.

However, Duff Goldman felt differently in Spring Baking Championship. He said he couldn’t taste the rose or the cardamom and reminded Priya that Persian baking is known for bold flavors. Nancy agreed, mentioning that the cake could have used more flavor to balance out the cream.

I thought Priya's cake was a cool idea, showing a lot of thought in both design and flavors. Even though the judges had mixed reviews, I feel like they did not give Priya enough credit for the effort she put into it. The Persian Love Cake wasn’t just a dessert—it told a story and reflected her cultural background. It deserved more recognition for being such a special and meaningful bake.

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The Persian Love Cake showed Priya’s heart and skill as a baker in Spring Baking Championship

Priya’s Persian Love Cake wasn’t just about flavors—it was about telling a story through food. Her choice to include cardamom, rose, saffron, and citrus wasn’t random. It reflected the rich traditions of Persian baking and her desire to bring cultural heritage into her creations.

The story behind the cake—a woman baking for love, either finding happiness or enjoying the cake herself—added a personal touch that made her dessert feel meaningful and unique.

Priya also paid close attention to details. She added fondant strawberry flowers and sugar-coated fruit, showcasing her artistic eye and ability to combine flavors with visual presentation. In my opinion, that level of thought and effort should have been recognized more by the Spring Baking Championship judges.

While they appreciated her design, some comments about the flavors being too subtle felt a bit harsh. Her Persian Love Cake deserved more than just a passing mention—it deserved to be seen as one of the standout bakes of the season.

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Spring Baking Championship episodes are currently streaming on Food Network.