Cake Boss Season 3, Episode 17: Frescos, Fountains and Family Wishes

Governor, Giant Lisa & Good-bye Mama

In the third season premiere, Buddy and his team are called on to make a special cake for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s inauguration ball. Buddy also decides to surprise his wife Lisa by making a life-size version of her in cake form for a surprise birthday party. Meanwhile, Mama Valastro surprises everyone at Carlo’s Bakery by announcing her retirement.

Peppermint & a Polar Bear Plunge

While on a cake consultation with the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, Buddy and his crew get an unusual challenge, when Mama Valaestro finds out about it, she requests that they don’t partake in it; Buddy’s youngest son requests that he make an ice cream cake with clowns on it for his birthday.

30 min

Roses, Romance, & a Romeo

After a unique cake consultation, Buddy has to find a way to make several cakes for fourteen couples getting married on Valentine’s Day; Cousin Anthony requests a special valentine dessert for his date. Meanwhile, Mary asks Buddy to take time out of his busy schedule to make a special heart cake for a newlywed couple.

30 min

Tournament of Knights and a Tasty Tiramisu

Buddy's Italian speaking skills are put to the test as he has to make an authentic tiramisu for a client who has family visiting from Italy. In addition, a knight comes to the bakery to ask for a cake for his king and queen, and challenges Buddy to a joust.

30 min

Hieroglyphics, Hearse and Happy Parents

A funeral hearse is made for a surprise cake. A mother and daughter cannot agree on a theme for a Sweet 16 cake, with one desiring an Egyptian theme, and the other a more girlish fashion-oriented theme. An animal-themed cake is made for an Indian baby shower.

30 min

Magazines, a Mega Screen and Maurizio

Buddy faces challenges while making cakes for Nasdaq and O Magazine. Also, cousin Anthony wants to spend more time at the bakery and less time delivering cakes.

30 min

Chopped Head and a Crazy Cravings Cake

Buddy has to make a cake for a Marie Antoinette party, a "cravings" cake for his sister, Lisa Gonzalez, for her baby shower. Mauro faces a short health care crisis. The rest of the clan is concerned while Mauro claims it to be "no big deal."

A Princess, a Pirate and a Perplexing Arch

Buddy is feeling the pressure when Mary, his toughest critic, ask him to make a pirate-theme cake for her twins' birthday party. Also, an over-the-top cake is made for a casino opening.

6-foot Sub Sandwich, Zeppoles and a Sick Mauro

It's Easter time and the shop is busy as ever. Buddy makes a sandwich cake for the 100th anniversary of Fiore's, a sandwich shop next to the original Carlo's Bakery. Joey, Sal, and Cousin Anthony make items for the bakery in honor of St. Joseph's Day, and Buddy and Maddelena stage an intervention for Mauro, convincing him to make lifestyle changes to become more healthy.

30 min

Color, Camouflage and Cupcake Day

A war breaks out when the Carlo gang are challenged to show their shooting skills in order to make a paintball cake. It's also the annual Throwback Cannoli Day at the bakery, but everyone's in for a big surprise when Buddy decides to make a change.

30 min

Key to the City and a Key-tar Cake

Buddy and the team are asked by an 80's tribute band to make a retro cake. Also, Little Ferry, New Jersey, Buddy's birthplace, presents Buddy with the key to the city.

30 min

Barbers, Babies and Bulls

Buddy wants to make a cake for the barbershop where he has been getting his hair cut since he was a kid in honor of their anniversary. Also, Buddy and the team are asked to create a mechanical bull cake, complete with movement.

Mother's Day, Mama and Mom to be

Buddy makes a Mother's Day celebration cake for the Adoptive Parents Committee, which is a nonprofit support group for adoptive parents. Buddy surprises his wife on Mothers day by having his children decorating a cake for her. The family celebrates as Lisa, Buddy's sister, gives birth to her child, a daughter named Isabella.

Helmet Cake, Healthy Mauro, & Huge Train Cake

Choo choo! It's National Train Day as Carlo's team has to make a HUGE cake complete with tunnels for model trains. Joey wants to make a firefighter themed cake for his retiring fire captain. Mauro's son helps his dad get healthy.

Strawberries, Sinatra, & Sick Ovens

Buddy and Co. make a cake for Haagen Daz's 50th anniversary while also making a cake for the Broadway show Come Fly Away. But orders are difficult to fill this week when the ovens start acting up again.

Familia, Fishing and Family History

The Valastros embark on a family tour of Italy. Their first stops are Altamura and Lipari, the birthplaces of Mama, and Buddy Sr. While there, Buddy is asked to make a wedding cake and confections for his cousin's baby shower.

Cassata, Cheesecakes and Crates of Wine

Sicily is the last stop of the Italy vacation; after visiting a local winery, Buddy decides to make a wine bottle cake.

Sandals, Sandwiches and Shelves

A client travels from Myrtle Beach to order a Flip-Flop cake; Buddy is asked to make a kid friendly cake.

Pipes, a Phoenix, & a Problematic Kitchen

Buddy and Co. create a Phoenix cake for a neighborhood Irish bar; Joey tests out the new ovens with his famous Irish Soda Bread.

Snookie, Super Anthony & a Ship

A trip to the South Street Seaport Museum in New York City for a nautical inspired cake; a Jersey celebrity (Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi from MTV's Jersey Shore) orders a cake for her mom.

Sweet Sixteen, Stars & a Saber Sword

Mauro's daughter orders a sweet sixteen cake; the bakery makes a cake for the centennial of the Cadet Chapel at West Point.

Crazy Chocolate Cake & Carlo's Centennial Celebration

Buddy makes an elaborate chocolate cake for a couple's anniversary, which includes ingredients consisting of Hershey's products. Carlo's Bakery celebrates their 100th anniversary since its opening in 1910 with a street party, complete with a huge "timeline" cake outlining its history. Buddy shows his bakers a huge warehouse he has leased, which will play a role in the bakery's future.

Santa, Sunrise & Snowmen Cupcakes

The bakery prepares for Christmas Eve, the busiest time of the year for the bakery.