Show guide
Cupcake Wars
- Food Network
- United States
- 2009 to 2018
- 11 seasons
- Completed
About Cupcake Wars
The show that monetized the great American cupcake craze: four bakers, three escalating rounds, and a winning display served at a real splashy event. Its judging table was built on genuine credentials, from the founder of the world's first cupcake-only bakery to a French pastry chef with a three-Michelin-star resume, which is why the verdicts still hold up. For a generation of viewers, 'one thousand cupcakes' remains one of television's great catchphrases.
The format
Four bakers compete through three themed rounds, taste, presentation, and a final display of one thousand cupcakes built with a carpentry team, with one baker eliminated per round. The winner takes $10,000 and serves their cupcakes at the episode's featured event.
The prize
$10,000 per episode
Hosts & judges
Hosts
- Justin Willman2009 to 2017
- Jonathan Bennett2017 to 2018
Judges
- Candace Nelson2009 to 2016
- Florian Bellanger2009 to 2018
- Rotating guest judge2009 to 2018
Where to stream
Food Network, HBO Max, and discovery+ in the US, plus a Netflix collection; check Food Network Canada and discovery+ UK abroad.
Verified July 2026. Streaming availability changes often, so check the platform before you subscribe.
Seasons
Eleven seasons and 137 episodes, all archived below.
| Season | Aired | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Dec 27, 2009 to Aug 3, 2010 | 9 |
| Season 2 | Dec 7, 2010 to Mar 8, 2011 | 13 |
| Season 3 | Jun 14, 2011 to Sep 11, 2011 | 13 |
| Season 4 | Dec 4, 2011 to Mar 4, 2012 | 13 |
| Season 5 | Mar 11, 2012 to Jun 24, 2012 | 13 |
| Season 6 | May 13, 2012 to Sep 23, 2012 | 14 |
| Season 7 | Oct 7, 2012 to Mar 24, 2013 | 13 |
| Season 8 | Apr 7, 2013 to Jul 7, 2013 | 13 |
| Season 9 | Sep 7, 2013 to Dec 28, 2013 | 13 |
| Season 10 | Apr 11, 2016 to Aug 15, 2016 | 11 |
| Season 11 | Nov 28, 2017 to May 22, 2018 | 12 |
Each season guide will contain episodes, bakes, cast when available, and sources. Winners stay tucked away below so nothing gets spoiled by accident.
Season winners
Winners are crowned per episode on this show, so there is no single season champion to spoil.