The moment Nicole Byer, in her signature vibrant energy, announces that “10 clueless bakers” are about to attempt elaborate cakes, you know exactly what you’re in for with The Big Nailed It Baking Challenge. This Netflix spinoff expands the original Nailed It! formula, trading two contestants for ten, and a single episode prize for a $100,000 grand finale. The result? A mixed bag of chaotic charm and underutilized potential.

At its core, this series follows the same premise as its predecessor: amateur bakers attempt to replicate intricate desserts with hilarious results. Byer’s hosting shines, bringing the same comedic wit that made the original so enjoyable. Her dynamic with head judge Jacques Torres is a highlight, their banter adding a layer of warmth and humor to the proceedings. The addition of coaches Erin Jeanne McDowell and Robert Lucas provides useful baking tips, even if their segments sometimes feel rushed.

The eclectic kitchen set, filled with colorful doodads, offers a visually engaging backdrop but often goes underused. The show’s structure—practice rounds followed by timed challenges—keeps the pacing tight, though the absence of episode-by-episode eliminations (a staple of the original) dilutes some tension.

What works best are the moments of genuine humor and heart. Contestants crashing and burning in their efforts to recreate elaborate cakes provide plenty of laughs. The Fruit Follies episode, for instance, delivers a standout challenge with its whimsical theme and the contestants’ creative (if often disastrous) interpretations. The guest judges—Vanessa Bayer, Bobby Moynihan, and London Hughes—add fresh perspectives, though their appearances are too infrequent to make a significant impact.

However, the show stumbles in its attempt to scale up the original’s intimate dynamic. With ten contestants, individual personalities get lost in the shuffle, and the camaraderie that made Nailed It! feel special is notably absent. The practice rounds, while informative, sometimes drag, and the lack of episode eliminations makes the stakes feel lower.

The Big Nailed It Baking Challenge isn’t without its charms, but it struggles to recapture the magic of the original.