The Great British Baking Show
Bakers attempt three challenges each week trying to impress the judges enough to go through to the next round and eventually are crowned Britain's best amateur baker.
Genre: Game-Show, Reality-TV
Cast:Paul Hollywood , Mary Berry , Prue Leith , Noel Fielding , Sue Perkins , Mel Giedroyc , Matt Lucas , Sandi Toksvig , Chigs Parmar , John Whaite , James Morton , Brendan Lynch , Beca Lyne-Pirkis , Tamal Ray , Candice Brown , Andrew Smyth , Jane Beedle , Kim-Joy Hewlett
S1.E1 ∙ Cakes
In the first challenge, contestants bake a signature cake that expresses a personal meaning. The second challenge has them follow Mary Berry's general recipe for a Victoria sandwich. During the third challenge, they create a chocolate celebration cake with originality and flair.
S1.E2 ∙ Biscuits
The tent comes to Scone Palace in Perthshire, and the bakers must deliver signature biscuits, Paul's recipe for scones, and a showstopping selection of petit fours.
S1.E3 ∙ Bread
The Bake Off comes to Kent, where the bakers bake signature breads, cobs, and sweet and savory rolls.
S1.E4 ∙ Puddings
This week the bakers must make their signature puddings, hot lemon soufflé, and crumble, suet, and bread puddings in Bakewell.
S1.E5 ∙ Pastry
The Bake Off is in Cornwall this week, and the contestants must bake a savory pie, cornish pasties, and show-stopping pastry canapés.
S1.E6 ∙ Tea Party (Final)
For the finale, the remaining 3 bakers must make elegant miniature cakes. After an elimination, the remaining bakers will have to prepare 24 each of scones, sandwiches, choux pastries, and tarts to serve at a tea party.
S1.E7 ∙ The Great British Wedding Cake
In this one-off special edition on the series, the three finalists from series one (Edd, Ruth and Miranda) returned. Paul and Mary set them the ultimate challenge, to make 2 Wedding Cakes in just 16 hours.
S2.E2 ∙ Tarts
The bakers will be trying to avoid the dreaded "soggy bottom" in their bakes this week, which are all about pastry in making tarts. They will each be making a quiche for their signature, Paul looking for them not to overdo the flavors which may be a temptation. Their second bake, the technical, will be to make a tarte au citron, the recipe from Mary's own collection, albeit not with all the instructions provided. And their final bake of the weekend will be to make a selection of twenty-four sweet tarts, Mary and Paul looking for consistency across all twenty-four. Interspersed with the bakes, Mel and Sue speak of the specialized pastry section of the kitchen of King Henry VIII, tarts one of is favorite foods, and of the history of one of Britain's most beloved tarts, namely the Bakewell.
S2.E3 ∙ Bread
Ten bakers remain and this week their bread-making skills are put to the test.
S2.E4 ∙ Biscuits
The search for Britain's best amateur baker, with Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, is now halfway through. The bakers take on biscuits and these bite-sized, delicate delights prove too much for some. As always starting with the signature bake, the remaining eight must impress legendary cookery writer Mary Berry and artisan baker Paul Hollywood with their interpretation of a classic biscuit. Who will crumble when it comes to judging and whose ginger nuts are too hot to handle? Next up, the technical challenge, where following a Mary Berry recipe is not as simple as it would seem for our bakers, who start feeling the pressure when faced with brandy snaps. Finally, the toughest showstopper challenge yet as they attempt to bake and present a macaroon display that must taste as good as it looks. With five hours on the clock, every second counts. This is the last chance to impress the judges before someone's dream of becoming Britain's best amateur baker is over.
S2.E5 ∙ Pies
Pies Signature: Family pie with rough puff or flaky pastry. Technical: 6 x Miniature Pork Pies. Show Stopper: Meringue Pie
S2.E6 ∙ Desserts
Desserts Signature. Baked cheesecakes Technical. Chocolate roulade Show Stopper. Croquenbouche
S2.E7 ∙ Patisserie
Patisserie. Signature. Mousse cakes Technical. Iced fingers Show Stopper. Croissant Danish
S2.E8 ∙ The Final
It's the final and the three remaining contestants face their final challenge.
S2.E9 ∙ Masterclass 1
Paul and Mary demonstrate how to make the Technical Challenges that they had set throughout the series. Masterclass 1 showed the first 4 of the series; Coffee and walnut Battenberg, Tarte au Citron, Focaccia and Brandy Snaps.
S2.E10 ∙ Masterclass 2
Paul and Mary where they demonstrated how to make the Technical Challenges that they had set throughout the series. Masterclass 2 showed the last four of the series; Pork pies, Chocolate roulade, Iced fingers and Sachertorte.
S2.E11 ∙ Revisited
Revisiting the bakers from Series 1 to catch up on what the contestants had been doing since they had been on the show.
S3.E1 ∙ Cakes
The first episode is all about cake, and the pressure is on from the very first challenge. The bakers tackle an upside-down cake for their signature bake. The feared technical challenge sees the bakers tackle Paul's recipe for rum babas, a hybrid of cake and enriched dough. It is an unusual and and unfamiliar recipe that baffles some of the bakers. And to keep hold of their place in the bake off tent, the bakers attempt to produce a showstopping cake that reveals a hidden design when it is sliced into. Who will impress the judges and become star baker and who will be the first to leave The Great British Bake Off?
S3.E2 ∙ Breads
From the off the atmosphere in the Bake Off tent is charged as eleven bakers attempt to make flatbread. Tempting Paul and Mary with two varieties, the bakers are under pressure to produce 12 perfect flatbreads each. The feared technical challenge has the bakers in a twist as they attempt Paul's recipe for the notoriously difficult eight-strand plaited loaf. Remaining in the competition rests on pulling out all the stops in the showstopper challenge. Attempting a technique new to Bake Off, the bakers endeavor to make bagels. Boiled before they are baked, the eleven hopefuls have to produce 12 sweet and 12 savory bagels. But who will impress and be named Star Baker and who will fail to make the grade and leave the Bake Off tent?
S3.E3 ∙ Tarts
Things are heating up in the Bake Off tent as the remaining ten bakers do their best to wow Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry with some unusual flavor combinations for their tartes tatin. Baking know-how is the all important ingredient for coming through the technical challenge unscathed. Mary's treacle tart seems simple enough, but its lattice top proves to be the undoing of some of the bakers. So the pressure is on - a showstopping tart is no easy task when baked under the gaze of Paul and Mary, but it is the bakers' best chance to achieve the accolade of Star Baker, and more importantly to avoid going home.
S3.E4 ∙ Desserts
The bakers face three challenges, all designed for a sweet tooth. Starting off with a tempting array of decadently rich tortes, the bakers then face the technical challenge. This time it is a mainstay of French baking, the crème caramel, and for some there is more wobble than expected. Proceedings are rounded off with a mammoth six-hour challenge to produce a mighty showstopping layered meringue. But who will claim the accolade of Star Baker and who will hang up their apron for the last time?
S3.E5 ∙ Pies
The bakers turn their attention to pies. For their first task, they must master a perfect Wellington. When they have recovered, it is straight into a fiendishly difficult technical challenge - hand-raised pies. None of the bakers have used a pastry dolly before and it proves the downfall of many. With several bakers in the danger zone, everything rests on the showstopper challenge - American pies. Who will be this week's star-spangled baker and who will be leaving the bake-off?
S3.E6 ∙ Puddings
The bakers go all out to impress Mary and Paul with two types of delicious sponge puddings. The technical challenge sees them face a Queen of Pudding, a recipe direct from the archives of the Queen of Bakes, Mary Berry. The final test is a showstopping strudel that stretches the bakers to their limits.
S3.E7 ∙ Sweet Dough
Facing three sweet dough challenges, the bakers start their campaign by creating their signature regional buns. Paul Hollywood opens his recipe vault for the technical challenge of jam doughnuts and in a final bid to hang on to their place the bakers produce a showstopping enriched dough loaf fit for a glorious celebration. But who will make it through to the quarter-finals and which two bakers will be saying goodbye for good?
S3.E8 ∙ Biscuits
It is the biscuit based quarter-final, and Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry are taking the challenges to another level. The signature bake sees the bakers' organizational and baking skills put to the test, as they attempt to deliver a huge batch of perfectly baked crispbreads. Then the bakers have to throw away the baking rule book as time and temperature work against them to produce six perfectly tempered chocolate tea cakes for the technical challenge. A place in the semi-final will be hard earned as the final challenge tests not only the quality of the bake, but how well it works as a building material.
S3.E9 ∙ Patisserie
There are only four bakers left vying for a place in the much sought-after final of the Great British Bake off. The weight of the occasion is getting to the most unflappable of the bakers as they frantically work against the clock to deliver petits fours to Paul and Mary's exacting standards. The hardest technical bake ever seen on Bake Off finds two of the bakers left wanting as their fraisier cakes collapse. It's possible to hear a pin drop in the kitchen as the bakers pull out the stops for their showstopping choux gateaus. Paul and Mary think they have seen it all until they are presented with a tribute to the Tour de France...
S3.E10 ∙ Final
After weeks of pastries, cakes and bread, three bakers have made it to the final. They now must face the most demanding of challenges yet as every aspect of their baking skill is scrutinized. To prove themselves to judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry, they must create pastry perfection with a signature pithivier. Then on to one of the most intricate technical challenges ever devised - fondant fancies. Finally, it all comes down to their last ever showstopper, creating a masterpiece with a notoriously difficult chiffon sponge. After two days of baking, only one of the finalists can claim the title, winner of The Great British Bake Off.
S3.E11 ∙ Masterclass 1
A masterclass by Paul and Mary where they demonstrated how to make the technical challenges they set - treacle tarts, rum babas, creme caramels, the hand-raised pie, and the eight-strand plaited loaf.
S3.E12 ∙ Revisited
Revisiting the bakers from series 2 to catch up on what these contestants have been doing after the show ended.
S3.E13 ∙ Masterclass 2
Paul and Mary show how to make queen of puddings, jam doughnuts, tempered chocolate teacakes, fraisier cakes and fondant fancies.
S3.E14 ∙ Masterclass 3
Paul and Mary show which signature bakes they would have chosen if they were in the bakers' shoes (including sponge puddings, flat breads and sweet buns).
S3.E15 ∙ Christmas Masterclass
Bake Off judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, in reminiscing about their favorite aspects of Christmas, inevitably talk about food, they who demonstrate how to make six Christmas classics to perfection. Mary shows how to make Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, this specific recipe which she has been using as long as Paul has been alive, and Bûche de Noël which she assures is much less complicated than it looks. Paul tackles mince pies, his Frenchified version of panettone, and savory Chelsea buns which utilize leftovers from Christmas dinner, the buns which Paul serves for a Boxing Day brunch. In addition, the tradition of mincemeat at Christmas is discussed, and a presentation of the oldest Christmas pudding and its connection to the British Navy is made.
S3.E16 ∙ Easter Masterclass
Bake-Off judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, in enjoying the festivities surrounding Easter, demonstrate how to make some bakery items associated with the holiday. Bread fanatic Paul shows how to make the perfect hot cross buns, and a traditional Cypriot loaf called tsoureki, and strays away from the bread for a chocolate custard tart, a Hollywood family favorite. Mary chooses a spicy Easter biscuit, Easter-decorated pavlova with lemon curd, and simnel cake, a fruit cake layered with marzipan, the cake's decorations tied to eleven of the twelve disciples. Mary and Paul provide tips to overcome any perceived difficulties to be able to make these bakery items to perfection. In addition, the history of the decorated Easter egg is presented, including that of the more modern chocolate variety.
S4.E5 ∙ Biscuits and Traybakes
This week, our contestants bake biscuits and traybakes.
S4.E12 ∙ Masterclass 1
Following selection of the 2013 Great British Bake Off champion, judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood cook several of the challenges that they previously assigned to contestants during the competition, including English muffins, bread sticks, angel food cake, and more.
S4.E13 ∙ Masterclass 2
Judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood cook more of the challenges that they previously assigned to contestants during the competition, including Iles Flottantes, double-crusted fruit pie, British egg custard tarts, and more.
S4.E14 ∙ Masterclass 3
Judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood cook more of the challenges that they previously assigned to contestants during the competition, including ginger-spiced traybake, tea loaf, apricot couronne, and more.
S4.E15 ∙ Masterclass 4
Judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood cook more of the challenges that they previously assigned to contestants during the competition, including Sussex pond pudding, wheat-free loaf, pretzels, and more.
S4.E16 ∙ Christmas Special
Paul and Mary make Christmas classics, including stolen, a gingerbread house and streusel.
S5.E1 ∙ Cakes
The 12 new contestants face their first challenge - cake. They must make a signature cake, Mary Berry's cherry cake, and a show-stopping set of miniature cakes.
S5.E2 ∙ Biscuits
The bakers make a biscuit that complements cheese, Florentines, and a three-dimensional scene constructed entirely out of biscuits.
S5.E3 ∙ Bread
The competition continues with the bakers making rye rolls, Paul's ciabatta, and a filled centerpiece loaf.
S5.E4 ∙ Desserts
The contestants bake saucy puddings, Mary Berry's tiramisu cake, and a show-stopping baked Alaska.
S5.E5 ∙ Pies & Tarts
The contestants bake a custard tart, mini pear pies, and a three-tiered pie.
S5.E6 ∙ European Cakes
The signature bake features a cake leavened with yeast, inspired by classic European cakes. The technical challenge is for Mary's Swedish princess cake, and the showstopper requires the bakers to make a modern version of the Hungarian Dobos torte, with at least two tiers and decorated with caramel.
S5.E7 ∙ Pastry
The bakers must make a dozen savory parcel pastries, kouign-amann, and two dozen éclairs.
S5.E8 ∙ Advanced Dough
It's the quarter-finals of the competition and only five bakers remain. Mary and Paul up the ante to see which bakers will rise to the challenge. The competitors must make enriched sweet fruit loaves for their Signature, followed by a Technical challenge that stretches them to the limit. Finally, the bakers must make 36 showstopping doughnuts, demonstrating skills and ideas that take baking to a new level.
S5.E9 ∙ Patisserie: The Semi Final
It's week nine of The Great British Baking Show, and it's the semi-final, where only four bakers remain. It's Pâtisserie week! To kick-start things in the signature challenge, the bakers are once again butter bashing and folding their pastry to achieve perfect lamination for this difficult French pastry. In the technical challenge, Paul has set the bar high, testing the bakers' pâtisserie prowess with a yeast-based cake with a fruity top and delicate chocolate work. And in the showstopper, it's the bakers' last chance to prove they have what it takes to make it to the final. A multiple mini-cake bake proves that timing is crucial to achieve the high-end finish the judges are looking for.
S5.E10 ∙ The Final
Just three challenges lie between the three finalists and the trophy. And what a trio of challenges they are: mastery of a classic pastry technique that normally takes a day - in just three hours; a Technical test that requires mastering the basics - with no recipe; and a Showstopper that demands delivery of perfect sponge, caramel, choux pastry and petit four in the bakers' final five hours in the tent.
S5.E12 ∙ Masterclass 1
Mary shows you how to bake a Cherry Cake with Lemon Icing, Florentines and Mini Coffee & Walnut Cakes. Paul shows you how to bake a Blackcurrant & Liquorice Swiss Roll, Poppy Seed Savoury Biscuits Parmesan & Sun-dried Tomato Savoury Biscuits.
S5.E13 ∙ Masterclass 2
Mary shows you how to bake Layered Tiramisu Cake and Neapolitan Baked Alaska. Paul shows you how to bake Ciabatta, Roquefort and Walnut Loaf and Chocolate Volcano Fondants.
S5.E14 ∙ Masterclass 3
Mary shows you how to bake Swirling Chocolate and Orange Tart, Swedish Prinsesstarta and a Two-Tiered Dobos Torte. Paul shows you how to bake Mini Sausage Plaits and sweet Kouign Amann.
S5.E15 ∙ Masterclass 4
Mary shows you how to bake Lemon Éclairs, Raspberry Éclairs, Double Chocolate Entremets. Paul shows you how to bake Cherry and Chocolate Loaf, Povitica and Raspberry and Chocolate Doughnuts.
S5.E16 ∙ Christmas Masterclass
In the countdown to Christmas, Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood are getting festive in the kitchen. They have six brand new recipes to bake for the family this Christmas, inspired by rich traditions from all over Europe. Paul kicks off the baking with St. Lucia buns, which are saffron buns traditionally eaten throughout Advent in Scandinavia. He puts a twist on the traditional mince pie, making a mincemeat and marzipan couronne, while Mary makes a French Galette and offers alternatives to traditional Christmas Cake and Christmas pudding. She makes a fruit-filled Genoa cake, and a white chocolate and stem ginger cheesecake. The baking is topped off by Paul's showstopping Kranskake, a spectacular tower of rings of delicate mixture that will bring everyone to the table.
S6.E3 ∙ Bread
The 10 remaining bakers face quick breads, baguettes and bread sculptures.
S6.E4 ∙ Desserts
For the nine bakers left, it's time to tackle the sweet ending to every meal - desserts.
S6.E5 ∙ Alternative Ingredients
Cake without sugar. Bread without gluten. Ice cream without dairy.
S6.E6 ∙ Pastry
The bakers prove their pastry skills, making frangipane tarts, flaounes and vol-au-vents.
S6.E7 ∙ Victorian
Watch a full episode devoted to the Victorian age, which gave birth to modern baking. The Signature test is game pie, a stalwart of the era. The Technical recipe, fruitcake, dates to the late 1800s. And much-loved charlotte russe is the Showstopper.
S6.E8 ∙ Patisserie
The bakers work their way through childhood favourites, french fancies and more.
S6.E9 ∙ Chocolate
Follow the semi-finalists as they come to grips with chocolate, a temperamental ingredient. The Signature task is chocolate tart, followed by chocolate soufflé in the Technical challenge. For the Showstopper, the bakers create chocolate centerpieces.
S6.E10 ∙ The Final
Three bakers compete in the season 6 finale - baking filled sweet buns, mille-feuille (technical challenge), and a show-stopper "classic British cake or bake" (single flavor - multiple levels - i.e. a battenberg cake)
S6.E13 ∙ Masterclass 2
Mary and Paul's "Masterclass" continues with a Tipsy Triffle, the French classic Ile Flottant, a family fruit pie, egg custard tarts, and the Greek classic Spanakopita.
S6.E14 ∙ Masterclass 3
Mary & Paul continue the "Masterclass" series with a Ginger-spiced tray bake, the classic French biscuit Tuile, a fun Tea loaf, an apricot couronne, and irresistible Brioche têtes.
S6.E15 ∙ Masterclass 4
The 4th installment in the "Masterclass" series Mary & Paul kick up the technical challenge with the classic Sussex Pond pudding, the French Religieuses, Wheat-free loaf, the perfect pretzel, andthe Opera cake.
S6.E16 ∙ Christmas Masterclass
Mary and Paul usher in Christmas with classic bakes & modern alternatives such as a mincemeat strussel, a German stollen, a tunis cake, a Scottish black bun, a gingerbread house, and a hot water crust pie.
S7.E1 ∙ Cake Week
Twelve new amateur bakers enter the iconic tent and take on three cake-making challenges.
S7.E2 ∙ Biscuit Week
The remaining bakers face three biscuit challenges. Who will see their dreams crumble?
S7.E3 ∙ Bread Week
The bakers face an ovenless technical challenge and a three-flour showstopper.
S7.E4 ∙ Batter Week
For the very first time, it's Batter week! Mary and Paul have set three challenges to test the bakers on some store cupboard classics. To start things off, there is a British favorite. It may sound simple, but the judges are looking for perfection: a uniform bake across the batch, and topped with a tasty savory filling. The bakers really have to rise to the occasion in this signature challenge. Mary sets a classic technical challenge that requires a perfect pastry, a sweet filling, and delicate icing. With only a basic recipe, Mary's only advice to the bakers is to keep their cool. And finally for the showstopper, the ovens are off and the fryers are out, as the bakers are challenged to do their version of a Spanish classic.
S7.E5 ∙ Pastry Week
Mary and Paul set three challenges to test the bakers on three different types of pastry.
S7.E6 ∙ Botanical Week
It's week six, and just seven bakers remain. This week, for the very first time on The Great British Baking Show, it's Botanical Week. With three challenges inspired by nature, the bakers can reach for anything that grows to give their bakes maximum botanical taste. The bakers start with a signature challenge-a classic with a twist, that demands sharp citrus flavors and perfect peaks. Hidden under the gingham cloth is a leafy technical challenge set by Paul Hollywood. And, finally, the botanical showstopper is the biggest challenge of the series so far; not one, not two, but three tiers of elaborately decorated cake. Paul and Mary are looking for beautifully flavored sponges, and want to be wowed by stunning floral designs.
S7.E7 ∙ Dessert Week
The bakers face three sweet challenges, including a mousse marathon showstopper.
S7.E8 ∙ Tudor Week
It's the quarter-final of The Great British Baking Show, and just five bakers remain. This week, step back in history for a Baking Show first-Tudor Week. Mary and Paul have set three new challenges that embrace a time when Henry VIII reigned, with flamboyant banquets and impressive centerpieces that were Tudor showstoppers. The signature bake is a Tudor classic-pies. Although a few hundred years ago, their pies would have been filled with feathered birds, our bakers will attempt to make a rather more edible version for modern taste of a savory stuffed pie. In the technical challenge, hidden under the 'ye olde gingham cloth,' are the ingredients for a rather unusual Tudor biscuit that has the bakers all tied up in knots. And the final challenge is to construct a showstopper that is a spectacle of marzipan, fit to grace the tables of a wealthy Tudor banquet.
S7.E9 ∙ Patisserie Week
The semi-final sees the bakers tackling three patisserie-based challenges.
S7.E10 ∙ The Final
For the finale, Mary and Paul test how far the bakers have grown in skill and creativity. The Signature challenge is a technically difficult picnic pie, packed with fillings that form a creative design, surrounded by shortcrust pastry with perfectly baked sides. The Technical is 12 perfectly shaped pretzels: six savory with rock salt and six sweet with poppy seeds topped with orange zest and glaze. The year's final Showstopper is the ultimate showpiece in a baker's repertoire: a three-tiered wedding cake.
S7.E12 ∙ "The Great British Bake Off" (2016) Christmas Special 1
Previous bakers Mary-Anne, Ali, Cathryn and Norman return to face festive challenges.
S7.E13 ∙ "The Great British Bake Off" (2016) Christmas Special 2
A festive welcome awaits four more returning bakers - Chetna, Howard, James M and Janet.
S8.E1 ∙ Cake Week
The new batch of bakers' first Signature challenge is a fruit cake. The Technical challenge is set by Prue, chocolate mini-rolls. For the Showstopper, the bakers must create an illusion.
S8.E2 ∙ Biscuit Week
It's biscuit week and Paul and Prue set the remaining 11 bakers three new challenges.
S8.E3 ∙ Bread Week
The bakers take on Bread Week, tasked with making teacakes in the Signature, cottage loaves in the Technical, and multi-coloured bread sculptures for the Showstopper.
S8.E4 ∙ Caramel Week
For the very first time on the show, it's Caramel Week, and the bakers and the nine remaining bakers are tasked with making millionaire shortbread bars, tricky Dutch stroopwafels in the Technical, and caramel cakes in the Showstopper.
S8.E5 ∙ Pudding Week
It's Pudding Week, and the bakers serve up steamed school puddings, molten chocolate puddings, and a trifle terrine Showstopper.
S8.E6 ∙ Pastry Week
In Pastry Week, the bakers must produce four decorative savoury pies, along with a traditional Portuguese custard tart in the Technical, and a family-sized hand-raised pie in the Showstopper.
S8.E7 ∙ Italian Week
In the series' first Italian Week, the competition heats up as the bakers take on Sicilian cannoli, margherita pizza, and sfogliatelle.
S8.E8 ∙ Forgotten Bakes Week
Forgotten Bakes Week revives three forgotten recipes: the Bedfordshire Clanger, the Rum Nicky, and the Savoy Cake.
S8.E9 ∙ Patisserie Week
In a technically demanding semifinal, the bakers make choux buns, layered Les Misérables cake slices and a sculptural centerpiece out of meringue. Prue and Paul are left with a particularly close decision.
S8.E10 ∙ The Final
The class of 2017 return for the final Extra Slice, with Paul Hollywood and Aisling Bea.
S8.E11 ∙ The Great Christmas Bake Off
Four bakers familiar with the pressures of the tent are brought back for what should be a happy occasion of a Christmas themed baking competition. They will all be hungry for the win as none of the four was ever named Star Baker despite each going quite far in the competition in the season they competed. For the signature, they will each be making a yule log, the judges not only looking for something that resembles that log in the forest, but that underneath the decorations has a perfect swirl and a perfect ratio of cake to filling. For the technical, they are asked to make one of the most quintessential of British Christmas goods: twelve lattice topped mince tarts apiece served with a brandy butter sauce. And before the announcement of the winner, the bakers have one last challenge to complete, the showstopper, which may be the most difficult: each to make eight entremets topped with an edible snow globe, which means not only eight identical holiday scenes for the interior of the snow globes but eight crystal clear globes made out of either melted sugar or isomalt, both which can be extremely fragile and temperamental.
S8.E12 ∙ The Great Festive Bake Off
Four friends of the tent convene for what is the second annual festive new year's edition of the bake off, most seeking redemption for what they consider the specific disasters that led to their demise in the competition the first time around. For the signature, they are to make six identical snowy bombe Alaska tarts apiece, which must include a short crust pastry base, the filling of their choice, and homemade ice cream all topped with a meringue. For the technical, each baker is to make a pistachio kransekake shaped like a Christmas tree, the brief being that the tree must be comprised of exactly twelve rings. The consistency of the beaten egg whites and of the ground nuts are the keys to success. And for the showstopper, each baker is to make a cake evoking an icy winter wonderland. It must be of a centerpiece size and incorporate sugar work as those shards of ice.
S9.E1 ∙ Biscuit Week
The bakers tackle signature biscuits that will say something both about them and a place in the British Isles. Next the bakers face their first Technical, and hiding under the gingham cloth is one of Paul's childhood favourites - an iconic biscuit that's sure to send the bakers round in circles. Finally, it's crunch time. The bakers will have to be picture perfect with their first showstopper - a spectacular 3D biscuit portrait challenge that requires precision baking and superb decorating skills. Three challenges, three chances to win star baker, three chances to avoid leaving the tent.
S9.E2 ∙ Cake Week
The 11 remaining bakers face a tough test in Cake Week, including a crowd-pleasing signature challenge, Prue's first technical challenge, and a chocolate collared showstopper.
S9.E3 ∙ Bread Week
It's Bread Week, and the ten remaining bakers have a lot to prove with three tough challenges set by judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. There is a teatime fruity favourite Signature; a deceptively simple time-test of a Technical with an international flavour; and an ambitious Showstopper that's the largest bread sculpture challenge ever set in the tent. Only one can claim Star Baker, while one of them will leave the tent for good.
S9.E4 ∙ Dessert Week
The bakers must create a cracking meringue Signature, a wobbly Technical, and a complex chocolate Showstopper that promises to reveal all.
S9.E5 ∙ Spice Week
Paul and Prue set the bakers a classic teatime Signature. There's also an Arabian Technical and a fiddly Showstopper.
S9.E6 ∙ Pastry Week
It is Pastry Week, and Paul and Prue are looking perfection - with savory and sweet samosas, a classic French technical, and for the final challenge, a daunting majestic pie fit for a banquet.
S9.E7 ∙ Vegan Week
For the very first time on Bake Off, it's Vegan week. Prue and Paul have set three very different challenges to test the remaining bakers. A savoury pastry Signature, with no butter involved. A cracking Technical, with a very unusual ingredient. And finally, a spectacular Showstopper that, in the heat of the tent, threatens to lead to catastrophe. Who will keep their cool and win star baker? And who will be meeting their end?
S9.E8 ∙ Danish Week
Velkommen to Danish Week in the latest episode of The Great British Bake Off. The bakers face unfamiliar recipes as they battle to impress Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood. There's a bread challenge Signature where they must demonstrate style as well substance. Paul sets a spherical Technical - and with a place in the Bake Off Semi-final at stake, everyone is out to impress. And for their final challenge, the bakers must deliver an elaborate pastry Showstopper fit for a Danish birthday party. Who will become an honorary Great Dane, and who will be leaving the tent?
S9.E9 ∙ Semi-Final: Patisserie Week
The remaining bakers are just three patisserie challenges away from the final.
S9.E11 ∙ The Great Christmas Bake Off
Four former contestants - two pairs of past bake-off rivals - return to the tent for a Christmas themed one weekend only bake-off, each who had different issues which sent them packing from the tent their first time around. They will have to make twelve iced biscuits apiece on the theme of the "Twelve Days of Christmas" as their signature. Beyond the basics, Paul and Prue are looking for originality in the way they tackle the theme. For the technical, they are each asked to make six decorative wafer-thin Icelandic Christmas fried breads called laufabrauð. And the showstopper is the illusion of a Christmas present sponge when cut reveals a "present" (i.e. an interior design). Who will win this bake-off may come down to who has learned the most from their first time in the tent, one who mentions being haunted by the ghost of Paul Hollywood in the intervening years.
S9.E12 ∙ The Great Festive Bake Off
In the second seasonal reunion of the year, four former contestants reconvene at the tent for a bake-off to ring in the new year, one of those four who won the title the year of her competition and thus may be the one with the target on her back sighted by the other three. For the signature, the bakers are each required to make an iced stollen wreath, the only other stipulations being that the circle forming the wreath must be fully enclosed, and that the mandatory marzipan encased within the dough, typical of a stollen, is made by the bakers themselves. For the technical set by Prue, she'd like each to lay, oops, bake four snow eggs, each individually served in a martini glass floating in crème Anglaise and covered with a spun sugar cage. And for the showstopper, each baker is to make a three-dimensional new's years resolution cake, something that represents their own resolution for the start of 2019.
S10.E1 ∙ Cake Week
It's Cake Week and a fresh batch of bakers enter the tent to take on a fruit cake Signature, a retro Technical, and a childhood Showstopper.
S10.E2 ∙ Biscuit Week
For the signature, the bakers are asked to make chocolate covered biscuits, basically a chocolate bar with some sort of biscuit as part of the filling. For the technical, they are asked to make twelve identical fig rolls, the dough which is almost cake-like but needs to be sturdy enough to hold in the fig filling. And for the showstopper, they have make a three dimensional biscuit sculpture, where the biscuits are used as structural pieces rather than just stacking biscuits one on top of another.
S10.E3 ∙ Bread Week
The bakers tackle a signature bake designed to be shared; a deceptively simple summer staple in the Technical; and an ambitious Showstopper.
S10.E4 ∙ Dairy Week
Prue and Paul set some tricky challenges for the remaining bakers, including a Technical that dates back to Henry VIII and a Showstopper that's usually found at Indian weddings.
S10.E5 ∙ The Roaring Twenties
Contestants must create confectionery inspired by the Roaring Twenties.
S10.E6 ∙ Dessert Week
It's Dessert week. Three sweet challenges mean a bitter end for one of the six remaining bakers as they battle for a place in the quarterfinal. For starters, the bakers face a sweetly-filled signature challenge that has them rolling out their skills to impress Prue and Paul. And, if that weren't enough, the technical challenge is one of the toughest of the series so far, which layers on the sweet pressure the bakers are tested on a tricky French dessert. And finally, there's a multi-bake mini showstopper that's a bit of a mousse marathon.
S10.E7 ∙ Festival Week
This week is all about celebrating as it's festival week. For the signature, the bakers are required to make twenty-four festival buns apiece, they need to be yeast raised and meant to celebrate something, whether it be a holiday or something else. And in setting the technical this week, Paul wants a perfect texture both inside and out in the bakers making twelve Sicilian casatelle apiece, they a ricotta-filled, fried pastry. The bakers then move half way around the world to Malaysia via Indonesia for the showstopper in each making a kek lapis sarawak, a multi-colored and geometric patterned grilled cake. The bakers need to show precision in making the layers even, any errors which are only highlighted by the layers being different colors. Another challenge is the grilling of the cake, as any failure in later grilling will affect the layers already grilled.
S10.E8 ∙ Pastry Week
It's technically the quarter-finals, and rather than be happy, most of the remaining bakers are apprehensive in knowing that pastry, this week's theme, is not their strong suit, especially in dealing with the finicky dough, which does not like heat when being prepared, this weekend in which a heatwave is passing through. For the showstopper, they are each required to make a tarte tatin with a rough or full puff pastry, but unlike the traditional which is sweet made with apples, their tarts must be savory. A major challenge is for the filling to have the correct balance of moisture in the filling to taste good without sogging the pastry. For the technical, Paul warns that he and Prue will be looking for consistency - in the pastry layers - in the bakers each making a Moroccan pie with twelve pastry layers. And for the showstopper, the bakers are asked to make a vertical pie, with a stack of at least three separate pies creating that vertical presentation. Beyond the pies themselves, the issue will be the vertical structure, which must be architecturally sound and interesting as a piece of art.
S10.E9 ∙ Semi-Final: Patisserie Week
In this, the semi-finals, the remaining four know that it will be one of the most demanding weeks in the precision that is required for patisserie in all its French elegance. For the signature, they are asked to make eight domed tartlets apiece fit for a French patisserie's window display. For the technical, they are each required to make the multi-component Gâteau Saint Honoré, which is caramel covered cream filled profiteroles, all atop a puff pastry base. And for the showstopper, they are asked to make a sugar glass display case enclosing a figure that has some meaning to them, that or those item(s) which must include one baked element. These three challenges will lead to heartbreak for one who arguably reaches the most painful point in the competition in being eliminated just before the final.
S10.E10 ∙ Final
It's the finals, and the last three of the original bakers' dozen standing are David Atherton, Steph Blackwell and Alice Fevronia, whose friends and family, as well as the season's eliminated bakers, will be on hand to see the crowning of this season's winner at the conclusion of the last three bakes. For the signature, the bakers are given the seemingly easy task of making a chocolate cake, the trick being to make theirs stand out from the regular. They are even more apprehensive than usual for the technical as there is no theme this week, meaning that the judges could throw anything at them. What is thrown are six twice baked unmolded Stilton soufflés apiece, served with wafer-thin, crispy lavash crackers. And for the final bake - the showstopper - they each have to make an illusion picnic, complete with illusion picnic basket made of nougatine. In other words, they have to make picnic type foods out of some baked good completely different than what it is, one example from each of the finalists being "cheese wedges" that are really lemon pound cake, "scotch eggs" that are really carrot cake, and "strawberries" that are really macarons. Beyond the nervous anticipation of the announcement of the winner, Alice has an additional worry in whether her parents will make it to the ceremony, they who were necessarily out of town the evening before and are flying back this day with their original flight canceled, hence there being no guarantee they will make it on time.
S10.E11 ∙ The Great Christmas Bake Off
Four British bake off alums come back to compete in three rounds of Christmas themed bakes.
S10.E12 ∙ The Great Festive Bake Off
The cast of Derry Girls descend on the tent to compete in three rounds of festive themed challenges.
S11.E1 ∙ Cake Week
Week one sees the bakers make battenbergs for the signature challenge, attempt pineapple upside down cakes for their technical, and a cake bust for the showstopper.
S11.E2 ∙ Biscuit Week
Week 2 is biscuit week, challenging bakers to make chocolate florentines for the signature, macaroons for the technical, and 3D biscuit sculptures for the showstopper.
S11.E3 ∙ Bread Week
The ten bakers have much to prove with a fruity teatime Signature in Bread Week.
S11.E4 ∙ Chocolate Week
For the signature, the bakers made 18 chocolate brownies. For the technical, the bakers made a traditional Jewish chocolate Babka. For the showstopper, the bakers made a spectacular two-tiered white chocolate celebration cake.
S11.E5 ∙ Pastry Week
For the signature, the bakers made a Cornish pasty. For the technical, the bakers were made six éclairs; three raspberry, and three salted caramel. For the showstopper, the bakers made a sweet tart hidden under a latticed pastry cage.
S11.E6 ∙ Japanese Week
For the signature, the bakers made 8 steamed buns, with a savory or sweet filling. For the technical, the bakers made a decorated Matcha Crepe Cake. For the showstopper, the bakers made a cake inspired by the kawaii culture in Japan.
S11.E7 ∙ 1980s Week
For the signature, the bakers made two different classical quiches. For the technical, the bakers made 6 deep-fried, identical custard and jam finger doughnuts. For the showstopper, the bakers made an ice cream cake.
S11.E8 ∙ Dessert Week
For what is the quarter-finals, the five remaining bakers will be tackling three dessert challenges. For the signature, they will each being making twelve identical mini baked cheesecakes. The difficulty of this challenge is the bake time, where seconds will be the difference between a cheesecake that will not hold up when sliced, versus one that is overset and rubbery in texture, which is further complicated by needing to cool the cheesecakes before decorating. They will also have the unexpected challenge in making theirs stand out from the crowd in many bakers using the same flavors. For the technical, they will each be making two of something most if not all have never heard of, a Sussex Pond pudding, an old fashioned steamed suet pudding with a whole lemon encased in the middle of each, they additionally needing to make a crème Anglaise to serve it with. Unlike most challenges, most of the bakers' time will be spent waiting for the puddings to steam. And for the showstopper, they are each to make a jelly art cake with a mousse layer. The jelly art will arguably be the most judged aspect, although the bakers cannot disregard any of the other components.
S11.E9 ∙ Patisserie Week
It's the semi-final, and the last four bakers are assigned three patisserie challenges.
S11.E10 ∙ Final
The season 11 final sees the bakers attempt custard in the signature and multiple baking elements for a show stopping cake.
S11.E11 ∙ The Great Christmas Bake Off
Four people familiar with the goings-on in the tent return for a one weekend only Christmas-themed baking competition - if the opening is to be believed, filmed in May - each hoping to do what he/she was unable to do their first time around, namely take home the winner's cake platter. They are each asked to bake twelve festive-themed miniature panettones for the signature challenge, it which most are probably unfamiliar with making as it is something even most bakers will purchase pre-made. The biggest danger they face is adding too much filling and/or alcohol which may retard the yeast leading to a dense bread. They are each to make a Christmas pudding with homemade mincemeat served with a orange Crème Anglaise for the technical. The twist to be able to complete the challenge in the very limited time provided: the pudding will not be steamed as is the traditional method, but rather microwaved. And for the final challenge, each baker is asked to make an illusion cake for the showstopper, it to represent their ultimate festive Christmas feast with a centerpiece surrounded by an array of side dishes.
S11.E12 ∙ The Great New Year Bake Off
To ring in the year 2021, four friends of the tent, including two former winners, return for a one weekend only competition on the theme of that festive new year. They head to the realm of comfort food in each being asked to make a fruit crumble for the signature, it to be accompanied by a complementary flavored homemade ice cream. They move to an appetizer for the technical in each making six steamed bao buns filled with crispy roast duck and julienned vegetables. And on the theme of the year, they are asked to make a celebration cake fit for their twenty-first birthday.
S12.E1 ∙ Cake Week
Kick out the jams and roll with the sponges as 30 new tests await. Time to tackle elegant mini rolls, rich malt loaves and heavenly gravity-defiers.
S12.E2 ∙ Biscuit Week
For Biscuit Week, the bakers take on filled brandy snaps for the signature. They produce a jammy childhood favourite in the Technical and finally put their engineering skills to the test to create an interactive toy made exclusively from biscuit.
S12.E3 ∙ Bread Week
This week it's time to bake bread, and the remaining bakers have a lot to prove. They put their own twist on a classic Italian focaccia in the Signature and head slightly further east in the technical, making a Greek inspired snack.
S12.E4 ∙ Dessert Week
It's Dessert Week, and the bakers put their twist on the classic pavlova, take on a toffee technical, and create a delicate dessert wrapped in intricately patterned sponge for the showstopper.
S12.E5 ∙ German Week
The bakers attempt to perfect traditional German biscuits in the Signature, followed by a Technical torte fit for a prince. Finally, they must rise to the challenge by creating a tiered cake using yeast.
S12.E6 ∙ Pastry Week
It's Pastry Week and the bakers tackle signature choux pastry doughnuts and a tricky Turkish technical, before making a savory, delicately designed showstopping pie packed full of flavor.
S12.E7 ∙ Caramel Week
Pure sugar meets sheer terror as the bakers tackle caramel week. Pretty tarts, perfect biscuit bars, and sweet spectacles enclosed in spheres show off caramels delight and danger.
S12.E8 ∙ Free-From Week
It's Free-From week and a chance for the remaining bakers to explore alternative ingredients. The Signature challenges them to bake without dairy, there's a hearty vegan Technical, and showstopping celebration cakes that must be gluten-free.
S12.E9 ∙ Patisserie Week
It's the Bake Off semi-final, and time to test the remaining bakers' abilities in patisserie. There's a delicate layered slice that demands precision, a regional French classic, and then the bakers must create an opulent entremets display.
S12.E10 ∙ The Final
It's the final, and the remaining bakers are set three challenges that will test every aspect of their baking skills, including a classic carrot cake and a Mad Hatter's tea party banquet. One baker will be crowned the Bake Off 2021 winner.
S12.E11 ∙ The Great Christmas Bake Off 2021
It's A Sin's Olly Alexander, Nathaniel Curtis, Lydia West and Shaun Dooley compete for the coveted Christmas Star Baker title, and the London Community Gospel Choir perform All I Want for Christmas.
S12.E12 ∙ The Great New Year Bake Off 2021/22
Four friends of the tent return to compete in what has ended up being the annual new year's edition of the bake off, each of the four who demonstrated the first time around that he/she has very specific strengths and weaknesses as a baker in this competition format which may dictate what happens this weekend. For the signature, each baker is to make a dozen New Year's breakfast yeast leavened buns suitable for the morning after the celebratory evening before. Each of the buns must be decoratively topped. For the technical, they are each to make a vasilopita, a traditional Greek New Year's cake. The issue with this challenge, beyond most not knowing what it is, is the short time to complete it, they needing to cool their Bundt-like cake completely before icing it. And for the showstopper, they are each to make a biscuit shadow box depicting a winter story. The entire display components must feature at least three different types of biscuits, and must be three-dimensional.
S13.E1 ∙ Cake Week
Week 1 in the tent brings twelve new bakers together to test their cake skills. The judges are looking for perfect mini cakes, a tangy technical, and a home baked showstopper.
S13.E2 ∙ Biscuit Week
The bakers must contend with macarons, garibaldi biscuits, and for their showstopper - a cookie mask,
S13.E3 ∙ Bread Week
The bakers take on bread week which tasks them to make pizza, pain aux raisins, and a showstopper like no other, the smorgastarta.
S13.E4 ∙ Mexican Week
Mexican Week. A shocking decision awaits the bakers as they prepare perfectly puffy pan dulce, steak tacos with from-scratch tortillas and an airy tres leches cake.
S13.E5 ∙ Dessert Week
It's dessert week in the tent and the contestants must set and bake; steamed puddings, lemon meringue, and a showstopper surprise.
S13.E6 ∙ Halloween Week
Halloween has come early as the remaining bakers tackle three terrifying challenges. There's a seasonal Signature in the form of an apple cake, followed by a s'more-ish Technical and, in the Showstopper, they create a Halloween piñata.
S13.E7 ∙ Custard Week
It's Custard Week, and the bakers put their twist on floating islands in the Signature, tackle a summer staple in the Technical, and make custard the star and basis of a showstopping set gateau.
S13.E8 ∙ Pastry Week
It's pastry week in the tent and the bakers are feeling the pressure. Judges ask them to make vol-au-vents in the signature, challenge them in the technical, and want them to wow with pies in the showstopper.
S13.E9 ∙ Patisserie Week
It's the semifinals and the bakers must make it though patisserie week. Judges challenge them to make mini charlottes, vertical tarts, and an artistic showstopper.
S13.E10 ∙ The Final
An earthed themed finale as the three finalists make picnics, bomb, and an multi-tiered showstopper.
S13.E12 ∙ The Great New Year's Bake Off 2022/23
Four bakers from seasons past return for another go in the rent.
