Spring Baking Championship's little shop of magic is a veritable factory of incredible baked creations, where hardworking, creative contestants turn out delicious and visually stunning desserts every week. Bakers endure two challenges in each episode that test their creativity, skill and time management — trials so tough even the most experienced bakers can end up on the judges’ not-so-good sides. Ahead, check out 11 Spring Baking Championship creations that didn’t quite hit the mark, as much as we were rooting for these lovable, incredibly skilled chefs.

During Season 10, Episode 1, a new class of talented bakers arrived to tackle their first pre-heat challenge: creating a tropical spring break-themed dessert inspired by a spring flower. One contestant chose to make a St. Honore — a classic French dessert with a puff pastry bottom encircled by cream puffs and filled with pastry cream — but forgot to weigh down the puff pastry (usually done by placing a sheet pan or baking weights on top) as it baked, resulting in a base that was far too tall. The deconstructed St. Honoré was composed of store-bought puff pastry, passionfruit lime pastry cream and honey crémeux. While the judges enjoyed the components of the dessert, it was unfortunately not a winner.

For the pre-heat challenge in Season 10, Episode 1, bakers were also tasked with making desserts flavored with ube for a spring equinox party. One baker embarked upon an ube lime macadamia no-bake cheesecake with a sugar cookie crust decorated with trumpet flowers. While the judges thought that the crust boasted great texture, the cheesecake didn’t set up and was overpowered by ube extract.

Spring Baking Championship challenges bakers of all specialties, from chocolatiers to pastry buffs. During the main challenge in Season 10, Episode 2, contestants were required to bake a floral dome cake — a semispheric confection adorned with flower decor. Unfortunately for one competitor, neither cake baking nor floral embellishments were in their repertoire of culinary skills. The quality and shortage of gum flower decor, as well as the lack of filling — lychee and almond pastry cream — between the layers of the lemon and jasmine olive oil cake underwhelmed all three judges.