Recipes To Make When Bake off Is On (GBBO)

Here you will find my own recipes as suggestions to try if you want to bake what the bakers in the tent did - but with no time constraints! And with thorough instructions too.  Or maybe you just want a simple British recipe for something to eat while you watch the show.

Recipes To Make & Enjoy When Watching Bake Off

Series 15 – 2024

Week 4 – Caramel Week

Week 3 – Bread Week

The signature was savoury filled buns made from an enriched dough. Technical was another first where the bakers watched Paul Hollywood (very quickly), demonstrate plaiting a seven strand bread wreath before having to do themselves. The showstopper was a bread cornucopia (‘horn of plenty’), filled with at least two different types of bread/rolls. John left & star baker was Dylan with Gochujang & Garlic Savoury Buns & Egyptian Cat Cornucopia.

Here are my cheese stuffed Tyrkish rolls below.

Extra close shot of broken piece of Turkish Poĝaça roll with cheddar onion filling.

Overhead photo of plate of Turkish Poĝaça rolls on a dinning table.

Photo of several slices of a cheese and tomato topped Turkish Pide pizza, ovan long shaped, on a pink plate, with pink napkin and Turkish tea glass to the background.

4 photo collage of mini Ramadan pidesi, Turkish Ramadan thick flatbreads, with a diamond shape pattern on top.

Week 2 – Biscuit Week

Signature was twelve Viennese Whirls in 2 hours, technical of twelve mint cream biscuits, (buttery biscuit topped with a peppermint cream and covered in tempered dark chocolate). The showstopper challenge was to make a biscuit puppet theatre with edible biscuit puppets. Hazel was sent home. Jeff withdrew & star baker was Sumayah with Cheese & Blackberry Viennese Whirls, a 3rd in technical & an ‘Enchanted Garden’ Biscuit Puppet Theatre.

Vintage British crockery with stack of Viennese Biscuits stacked.

Autumn/Fall biege shades and straw decorations, surrounding white plate on white bright table setting with coffeec ups, and plate of Scottish shortbread round cookies, half coated in chocolate and coconut.

Extra close partial shot of a pink plate with lots of chocolate and plain Chocolate Digestive biscuit rows.

Grey plate with vanilla and chocolate filled sandwich cookies n Easter and spring shapes, with Easter decorations around.

Week 1 – Cake Week

Show The signature for Week 1 was an elevated loaf cake. The technical was a first – the bakers were to make mini Battenburg cakes. But with no recipe – not even a basic one. They had Paul’s cakes to look a quick look at, feel and taste before attempting to make from scratch – right down to making the marzipan (almond paste). The showstopper was to make a hyper-realistic illusion cake in 4 hours.

John was Star Baker, with his Cherry & Chocolate Marble Loaf Cake, 3^rd in the technical & ‘The Perfect Brunch’ Illusion Cake. No baker left this week. Here are some examples of what you could bake below:

Extra close front shot of a Madeira cake with orange and fresh cranberries inside and outside.

madeira cake with 2 slices cut on black slate board on pale blue background with drinks and red berries.

Photo of pineapple chunks, flower and coconut topped tropical banana bread loaf, with banana, orange lemons to the background.

Stack of pancakes made from cake layers and fondant with fondant butter and blueberrie son top as well as syrup running down.

Pre-Episode 1

New series starts very soon and Week 1 has been confirmed as Cake Week as normal. Once we see the signature, technical & showstopper, I will update you. But in the meantime, here are a few predictions, for British bakes for this year’s Great British Bake Off:

Patterned blueberry Swiss roll/jelly roll cake with slice cut off showing the swirls.

Overhead shot of a white table top with tall meringue Pavlova with strawberries, blueberries & kiwi on top, napkin spoon and fruit.

Extra Close shot of tall British cheese scone on pink vintage plate, with more to the background, pink napkin and butter dish to the background.

Overhead shot on a white table, with pink crockery and napkin, & a Bakewell Bundt cake in the centre, decorated with cherries, glaze, & coconut.

Stack of British cookie Viennese Whirls on vintage plate with pink napkin.

Front shot of a fondant covered illusion cake with text 'stack of pancakes'.

Series 14 – 2023

Since we have been told there will not be any ‘country’ themes this year and a return to more classic British baking, here are some ideas for you. Cakes such as Victoria Sandwich, Madeira Cake, Swiss Rolls, Gingerbread Cake, or British Boiled Fruit Cake. Check the Cake Page for more ideas.

Victoria sandwich cream filled layer cake front photo close. — Boiled Fruit Cake

Other classics include traditional Scones, where you can pick from 4 recipes or air fryer scones. Biscuits such as Chocolate Digestives or Jammy Dodgers. Lots of pastry lessons & recipes, but don’t forget the Creme Pat (Pastry Cream), Salted Caramel Sauce Blueberry Orange Curd or Chocolate Ganache to finish off your creations.

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Series 13 – 2022

Week 9 – Patisserie Week

The semi-final saw the remaining 4 bakers (Syabira, Abdul, Janusz & Sandro) face Patisserie Week. The signature challenge was a batch of six identical mini Charlottes.

Overhead shot of white table with a chocolate tart halved, served with strawberry.

The Technical challenge was for four identical chocolate, hazelnut & raspberry vertical tarts! (yes vertical). And finally, the showstopper was to construct a multi-tier Swedish Kraken.

To help with the Lady Fingers in the Charlottes, (an egg-based sponge with no added leavenings), read my tutorial on whisking egg yolks & sugar to the ribbon/trail stage first, or the video below. There is also a video on whisking egg whites that will help, as you don’t want tough Lady Fingers!

As well as the pastry recipes below in Pastry Week, check my review of Michel Roux’s Raspberry & Chocolate Tart, that uses a Pâte Sucrée pastry crust. Or an old video of making Broccoli & Cheese Tart using Pâte Brisée pastry.

Or brush up your skills for the fillings,with some lemon curd, Creme Pat or Pastry Cream, Salted Caramel Sauce, or Chocolate Ganache.

4 photo collage of uncooked pie dough in a tin, a fancy rhubarb pie, lemon meringue pie & mini chocolate tart.

Week 8 – Pastry Week

This week the remaining 5 bakers in the quarter-final, (Syabira, Abdul, Maxy, Janusz & Sandro), were tasked with making sweet Vol-Au-Vents in the signature, spring rolls in the technical & a 3D pie scene inspired by their favourite childhood story or nursery rhyme, for their showstopper.

From beginners’ pastry in my Sweet Shortcrust Pastry 101 Tutorial, to impressive Rhubarb Pie With A Twist, I have all the recipes you could need for joining in with Pastry Week on GBBO.

Collage of easier pastry with sweet & savoury swirl shaped pastry & cheese twists.

Try my Individual chocolate tarts, Review of Michele Roux Chocolate Raspberry Tart , an in depth Lemon Meringue Pie Tutorial, or Mini Mince Pies for Christmas gifts.

Easier/Quicker Pastry Recipes

Not great with pastry? Or want a quicker pastry recipe?

Check out my alternative pastry in Speedy Mince Pie Swirls or Speedy Cheese Swirls.

Or try my popular Quick Cheese Puff Swirls, or Cheese Pastry Twists For Easy Entertaining, both using ready-made puff pastry, or Apple, Blueberry & Salted Caramel Filo Nests

Week 3 – Bread Week

Week 1 & Week 2 were Cake & Biscuit week like previous years, so scroll down to see those in the 2021 recipes below. Now we are on to Week 3 – Bread Week. Here is my 90 Minute Yeast Pizza that you can try, as putting your own stamp on a classic pizza, is the signature for 2022. Alternatively, check out my Bread & Yeast-based Recipes Page.

Close shot of a homemade hot dog bun with sesame seeds, fille dwith hot dog, onion and gerkin pieces, served on pink plate.

Close shot of 2 pieces of cheddar filled Turkish Poĝaça roll.

Week 10 – The Final

Well they made 2 bakes close to my heart this year – carrot cake and Belgian Buns. I have been working on a citrus version of the buns that I hope to finalise soon. My very popular Carrot Cake recipes are online though, and I was told that they would have had no problem on the show if they had used my cake!! So here’s the recipe, that is super simple for layer cake, traybake, bundt, mini bundts & even gluten free too.

Classic Carrot Cake With Orange Cream Cheese Filling

Shot of a whit eplate with 4 layer carrot cake slice,, soft pink pastel Spring decorations and mini eggs surrounding it. — *Classic Carrot Cake With Orange C*ream Cheese Filling

Week 9 – PATISSERIE WEEK

While we wait to see what they bake for Patisserie Week, here’s some of my recipes. My Creme Patisserie video, also known as Creme Pat or Pastry Cream. Also add cream to make Creme Diplomat. Or Salted Caramel Sauce, which I also have a video tutorial on. Easy Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Ganache, or yummy cream and fruit filled Griestorte cake. Rhubarb compote, strawberry concentrate reduction, blueberry orange curd & more. See also the pastries below in Pastry Week.

Overhead phtoo of a white bowl with pastry cream and stewed rhubarb/compote, with a spoon and a pink soft napkin.

Dish of strawberry concentrated puree, brass cup of strawberry pink speckled buttercream & strawberries.

Close shot of a jar of homemade blueberry orange curd, with bloue and white Willow crockery behind.

4 photo collage of ganache at liquid stage, medium firm set, whipped & hard set stage.

Week 8 – FREE-FROM WEEK

Here’s some Gluten free/wheat free recipes to try. Or how about yeast-free 30 Minute Cheesy Bread? Butter-free & egg-free Vegan adaptable 1 Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes/Layer Cake? Can be used for cupcakes, mini bundts and an air fryer Black Forst gateau too!

Overhead shot of a tall vertical chocolate Swiss roll cak, covered in chocolate like tree bark, with green foliage surrounding it.

Overhead photo of a chocolate vertical Swiss role cake served, showing its 13 layers looking like tree rings or zebra patter.

Close shot of the end of a double chocolate Swiss roll, Yule Log, with ganache on top as bark, showing the perfect swirl end.

Close shot of a tall 6 inch air fryer Black Forest Gateau cake with chocolate coated sides, and cream and cherry topped decoration.

Week 7 – PASTRY WEEK

Overhead of pastel blue coloured table and napkins, whole rhubarb pie, slice served, coffee and title.

Pastry recipe for beginners to try, (like Pastry 101), as well as some fillings for those pastries, like Creme Pat, salted caramel sauce.

3 different curd recipes & chocolate ganache.

Or why not try lemon meringue pie tutorial.

Rhubarb pie with an alternative topping or the individual chocolate tarts, see below.

Recipe review of Chocolate Rasperry Tart by Michele Roux.

Easy Apple Blueberry & Salted Caramel Filo Nests too.

Week 7 – GERMAN WEEK

Hard to give recipes for German Week, but here are some based on what they made on the show. Traditional Scottish Shortbread or my Summerberry Griestorte. Or try my egg & butter-free, Black Forest Gateau recipe, made in the air fryer!

Week 6 – CARAMEL WEEK

For week 6, try some of my recipes after reading all you need to know for success with caramel sauce.

Includes a Caramel Video Tutorial. Go to Apple Blueberry Filo Nests.

Or why not try simple Buttered Brazil Nuts, covered in a butterscotch coating?

Make some caramel decorations in my Brownie Stack Recipe.

Extra close partial shot of a brownie stack with caramel candy covered hazelnut spikes and sugar work.

Week 4 – DESSERT WEEK

For dessert week, try some Pavlova recipes, Genoise/Griestorte Cake or try a patterned sponge cake. Look for more dessert recipes.

Fruit covered Summer berry Genoise cream layer cake with strawberries, raspberries and blueberries all over it. — *Click to go to Meringue/Pavlova recipe*

Week 3 – BREAD WEEK

Lots of beginner recipes for working with yeast to make bread, rolls & other yeast-based bakes in the Bread page.

Episode 2 – Biscuit Week

Biscuits as in cookies, not US biscuits!

Check the Biscuits & Cookies page for more recipes as well as reviews of Bake Off Recipes by Paul or Mary.

6 photo collage of Scottish shortbread fingers, shortbrea don a cake stand, Jammie Dodgers sandwich cookies, Digestive biscuits and mini almond cookies. — *Go to my biscuit & cookie recipes*

Lemon curd Swiss roll cake sliced and served & with cake week title.

Series 12 – 2021

Episode 1 – Cake Week

Beginner and more advanced cakes for Cake Week on The Great British Bake Off.

Bake a cake in honour of cake week, typically the first theme and task for episode one.

Try some basic loaf cakes like Madeira Cake , which appeared in Series 6 of the show. (Or try with orange and fresh cranberries when in season or use frozen one).

Another simple but visually appealing cake is a bundt cake. Use a beautiful bundt tin/bundt pan but don’t worry about holding your breath when turning it out – use homemade lining paste to grease.

Lots of examples below, or skip to the Cake Page for every cake & cake review.