Best Great British Bake Off recipes
The Great British Bake Off is one of the nation’s best loved TV programmes.
Every year, it brings us a loveable bunch of contestants, two joyful presenters and two (usually) amiable judges. And whatever you think of the judges’ comments, there’s no denying that there are some truly talented bakers on the Bake Off (as it’s come to be affectionately called).
Want to recreate some of the best Bake Off bakes in your own kitchen? Here’s our guide to some of the show’s best recipes from its early seasons.
Top cakes and sweet treats
For a chocolatey delight, try this chocolate fudge cake from series one. Two tasty chocolate cakes are sandwiched with chocolate buttercream icing and topped with a silky chocolate ganache. It looks impressive, but it’s a deceptively simple tea-time treat.
For something a bit more challenging, Mary Berry’s charlotte royale is a blissful take on an old-fashioned favourite. Mary, of course, makes her own jam to spread over the sponge rolls but you can use shop-bought jam – or any preserves you’ve made in advance – if you’re short of time. This recipe is particularly fun to make with children, who love the unusual design.
Peter Sawkins – Bake Off 2020 winner – wowed the judges with his red berry delice. This is perfect for a celebration or just to show off to your family and friends! Try accompanying it with a glass of dessert wine to reinvigorate your palate after every bite.
And for a birthday cake that’s sure to stand out, try Laura Addlington’s chocolate and salted caramel cake. Laura made it all the way to the 2020 final and deservedly so. This cake is full of rich fudgy chocolate and salted caramel – what’s not to like!
GBBO savoury delights
If desserts aren’t your thing, there are plenty of great savoury recipes in the Bake Off stable too. Mark Lutton – 2020 quarterfinalist – made these tantalising chicken tagine pies. Reminiscent of the tastes and smells of Marrakech, these mini pies are just right for a light lunch and perfect to take on a picnic too.
And if you’re feeling a tad technical how about attempting Prue Leith’s veggie sausage plaits? Prue’s version of these vegetarian sausage rolls with a spinach and Cheshire cheese filling encased in plaited fromage frais pastry is an absolute knock out and perfect for a midweek treat.
Want to up your game a bit? Try Henry Bird’s tomato & new potato tarte tatin with crab salad from Bake Off 2019. An unusual combination of flavours with a caramel layer on top of the potatoes but it is delicious and sure to impress your dinner party guests.
Or if a meaty dish is your way of really celebrating, Cathryn Dresser’s Full English Wellington is a great alternative to the classic beef wellington. This one uses pork sausage meat, Parma ham, mushrooms, tomatoes and quail eggs to create a delicious dinner-time take on the classic English breakfast.
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