I've been trying to piece together why this season feels relatively bland and lifeless compared to previous efforts. Everything feels *empty* outside of the moment-to-moment baking and chatter, which IMO has been steadily improving.

How are y'all feeling about this season? Noticing any differences?

My hunch is that Prue's exit came late and unexpectedly so the production team had to balance a bunch of pivots last minute. I miss the skits!!! Let Noel and Alison cook!!!

Seriously, I just noticed.

Synopsis: It's Pastry Week! After pie pandemonium, the bakers metaphorically hike up the Carpathian Mountains to make Polish choux. Who'll flake under pressure, and who'll move mountains?

I can’t believe we’re halfway through the season now! Or at least the second half now.

Does anyone else see it? The colors on certain shots and especially the shot of the victoria sponges placed on the table (where the movement feels quite wonky)

I don’t understand why change it if it’s going to be exactly the same thing but look worse and more fake?

This was delectable. 10/10 would make again, and out of six years of baking technicals--so fifty-five bakes--one of the best things I've made for bakeoff.

I used a brioche-style sliced loaf (Target's store brand, of all things) and chose cinnamon apples as my extra ingredient. I cooked chopped apples with cinnamon and sugar and a little butter, then poked them in among the slices before pouring the custard over. I just flavored the custard with vanilla but then I put cinnamon and turbinado sugar on top. This was a half recipe with four small slices of bread.

I miss the historical info they used to provide about the origins of dishes and the baking tips they would provide as they critiqued peoples’ bakes.

Has Paul ever worn a short sleeve shirt before?!?! 🤔

Had to create a GIF of my favorite reaction yet!

I have never fallen for a baker quite this early, and someone else could, obviously, still win. But Tom is the hero I need this year. As an American, he is everything I need, in my toxic world. Actually, as of this episode, I love everyone, but, Tom is the sweet boy I want at work to be honored when he adds me to his Snapchat and I find out he doesn't hate Meghan Markle Sussex.

Watching the episode tonight (in the US), I was delighted by Allison's outfit, which immediately reminded me of Mary Berry. The pretty floral blazer and blue jeans is a classic Mary Berry look. I hope she's watching and notices this little homage.

That's all I wanted to say. The other sub was too exhausting. But here's a photo of a cake I made. And before you ask, yes we're only two people and yes we do get checked for diabetes regularly 😂

...and thanks to whoever has mentioned that Roku TV thing, will definitely check out the really old shows.

Stopped by just to announce, Season 9, episode 8

Manon Wuz Robbed

Back to your regularly scheduled posts.

Cakes and biscuits - the official unofficial song of the show. it's a hoot and a lovely homage to the show.

https://youtu.be/7wzVxmMCkGU?si=X7OUfxnHCuu57JSz

The look on Paul's and Nigella's faces when Yannis tells them whose recipe he's using for his Queen of Puddings is priceless!

My sourdough attempt at it! Also my first time making garlic confit. It tastes great, i can see why it got a handshake!

If you want the recipe/method i posted full details on the sourdough sub.

Synopsis: It's Dessert Week, and bakers take on a self-saucing Signature and a trip down memory lane on retro dessert trolleys. Who'll roll merrily along, and whose wheels will come off?

I’m loving the retro vibes and the gimmicks this season and we’re halfway through it already! Yeah baby!

I found a wonderfully comforting shoe called “Prue’s Great Garden Plot” on Prime Video! Sadly, there are only 4 episodes. If you love Prue Leith, you won’t be disappointed!

I made a baked cheesecake - raspberry and white chocolate! And a biscoff base mmm

Super sweet but super tasty ✨

Seems like all our pictures are looking pretty much the same and we're all coming to the same conclusion: yes, this was doable. I did it in about an hour twenty without trying to rush at all and could certainly do it in under an hour if I tried again. But the ones they made were never going to be good even if they had more time. I had the advantage of seeing theirs, seeing the sample, seeing Paul's video, but I still think I would have come up with something fairly similar to what I have here.

I took the recipe pretty literally and roasted the grapes whole on their stems. I don't recommend this; it was a pain taking them off the stem after roasting. Halved before or after won't make much difference. There's no need to cut them smaller than halves.

I like blue cheese but I didn't think my eaters would, so I used feta. It still isn't very much and the family gobbled them up.

I’ve tried the Roku app and Roku with a vpn as it says you can’t watch it on the website in the UK, and none are available, I also can’t get the Canadian app it’s on as it can tell I’m in the UK and won’t let me stream.
I’m a student and just accidentally spent £50 on Hayu after missing my free trial so paying is out of the question for me at the moment 🥲

Can you call yourself a baker if you can't bake bread?

I was genuinely surprised that nobody seemed to be able to bake bread. There were some missteps with the garlic bread (some well intentioned). The technical was a complete disaster. I enjoyed some of the show stoppers but overall was disappointing.

I love flatbread, so was really excited about the technical. But being allergic to blue cheese, I thought l'd combine it with the signature and do a garlic bread filling. The filling was sauteed, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, a little softened butter, and a pinch of salt.

As someone who has made flatbread many times, and baking in the comfort of my own home, as well as knowing what| was supposed to be making, it took me exactly 1hr start to finish. used half the time to make the dough (and filling while it rested), and left the last half hour for filling/rolling/cooking. You really do need to fill and roll one, then do the next one while the first one cooks. I can't speak for baking in the tent having never made one before, but cannot imagine not rolling them extremely thin. 🤷🏼‍♀️

The result: They turned out amazing! The bread is soft and chewy, the flavors of the filling came through nicely. There were little crispy bits and air pockets. Simply delicious. I totally recommend making the recipe - even if you don't fill it with anything! It'd be great on its own slathered with butter.

Synopsis: It’s Bread Week and the bakers take on a garlicky Signature and one of the most disastrous Technicals in Bake Off history! Who'll prove themselves to be Star Baker?

What do they mean disastrous technical?! Are we gonna have a repeat of Season 14 or Season 11? Uh oh.