Do you have to be a scratch baker to be selected for Cupcake Wars?

Yes I would assume so.

Yes

And a good one. Those odd ingredients will throw off a great recipe. That is what that first challenge is all about. I develop my own recipes, but I don't think I could just throw ingredients together in that time frame and guarantee success. On that first round, it comes down to talent and a little luck. You can see how unsure they are of that first cupcake.

I think those contestants go to cupcake university lol & graduate with honors .... I mean most of the time their cupcakes turn out perfect, such bakers know exactly what every single ingredient does & how much you need to do the job right... So ya I'll go with scratch bakers