Top 10 British Bake-Off Treats

For this quarter-final bake, series 4 contestant Beca put a literal spin on a classic cake name. It sounds like a bad Dad pun, but the ‘cheese’ cake turned out to be one of her most creative bakes thanks to an impressive eye for detail. Made during ‘Vegetable Cake Week’, the cake was based on an unusual combination of butternut squash and pecan, with models of mice, a cheese wedge and a chopping board crafted by Beca’s impressive icing skills. Mary described it as ‘wonderful’ and ‘such fun’, and we definitely agree.

For ‘Biscuit Week,’ Mary and Paul challenged the bakers of Series three to wow them with gingerbread constructions. Not content with your standard house, John set his sights on a much more ambitious structure - the Roman Colosseum. Using black treacle as the glue and peanut praline at the base, he carefully baked and stuck together over 100 biscuit pieces for a design courtesy of his boyfriend, a graphic designer. Although Mary commented that it wasn’t gingery enough, it was an even bake and - much to John’s relief - the grand design didn’t crumble.

Though the “Queen of Consistency” Nancy eventually won series five, it was Luis’ bake that had our eyes popping and mouths watering the most. For their final ‘Showstopper,’ Mary and Paul tasked Nancy, Luis and Richard to create pièce montée centerpieces, intended for a French-style banquet. The bakes had to be inspired by something personal, and for Luis that meant his home village of Poynton. While it’s a shame he didn’t take Mel’s suggestion of Manchester’s “Hacienda” nightclub, the most impressive detail in Luis’ bake was the profiterole chain going up and over the colliery.

Victoria was the first Star Baker of series three thanks to this creative piece of cookery. It’s often hard to put a twist on an old classic, but an item of food disguised as another always surprises. Taking inspiration from the English nursery rhyme, “Sing A Song Of Sixpence,” Victoria turned an average sponge into a fantasy bake fit for any kid’s party. The outside was more impressive than the inside, but the unique concept was well executed, and the cake was completely unrecognisable as a “blackbird” pie. As debuts go, this was pretty memorable.

Graphic designer Frances is one of the most creative bakers the show has ever seen, and this picnic hamper pie, whipped up for the Series four finale, was the cherry atop her success. Throughout the fourth series, most tipped “baking ninja” Ruby to snatch the title. But Frances, who was often criticised for being “style over substance”, pipped her to the post with stunning and flavor-filled bakes like this one. The basket-shaped pie was filled with two types of trout and five types of summer vegetables, and though Ruby’s design was nicely done, Frances couldn’t be beaten.

Precision master Brendan barely put a floury foot wrong in series three, and perfect early bakes like this one had him marked as a quick favorite to win. For the Petit Four Challenge during ‘Patisserie Week’ he crafted these delicate swans from choux pastry, decorated with lime curd and raspberries. Petit four are supposed to be miniature bakes and Paul praised Brendan for ‘coming the closest’ to the treat’s ideal size. And each cygnet was practically identical in shape, true to Brendan’s trademark, almost freakish sense of accuracy.

James’ ambitious designs didn’t always work out the way he’d hoped, but his beautiful tart from the third episode of series three looked even better than even he could’ve expected. As well as rose and raspberries, he used lychees for extra flavor and decoration, a combination that seemed to go down very well with Mary, who welcomed something new. James’ presentation was so neat it probably made even Brendan jealous. As tarts go, this looks quite conservative, but sometimes a well-executed classic is the best bet.

Canapes were on the menu for the French-themed fourth series semi-final, and Frances excelled once again. For her twist on the ‘Signature Bake’, Frances took inspiration from the humble British allotment. With nimble fingers she fashioned choux pastry into tiny tomatoes and Chantenay carrots, and disguised cream cheese scones as cauliflower. And the result looked like something you’d find in the back garden of a doll’s house. To complete the illusion, she planted it all a bed of artificial grass. Amazingly though, it still wasn’t enough to win her Star Baker.

Nadiya’s brilliant facial expressions weren’t the only thing that made her stand out in series six. Her consistently fun and fresh ideas like this fizzy drink-inspired cheesecake made her a shoo-in for the title. An “anti-gravity” cake, Nadiya’s clever design was flavoured with not just one type of pop, but three –lemonade, ginger beer and cream soda. The optical illusion spilled over three stacked cheesecakes. Naduya was criticised throughout the series for her lack of technical skill, but Mary and Paul labelled this concept ‘ingenious.’

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions.

Brendan’s Chocolate Twisted Bagels

Howard’s Black Forest Revisited

Brendan’s Christmas Stollen Castle

Of all the crusty and creamy creations served in the Bake Off tent, Paul’s “King of the Jungle” bread reigns supreme. Baked in series six, this lion is made entirely from bread, from mane to paw. Details like the almond claws only add to its astonishing realism, and it’s one of the most delicious-looking dishes the show has ever given us. Resident ‘Bread King’ Paul Hollywood was amazed. Incredibly, and controversially, Paul didn’t win Star Baker that week, but he did receive the first ever Bake Off commendation, and the much sought-after Hollywood handshake.