You may have noticed that it has been more than a month since Great British Bake Off series 5 ended… and I still haven’t posted the long-promised round up of our #GBBO Bake Along. I really have no excuses other than, much like my tax return, I ignored this in hopes that it would magically disappear. I am definitely suffering from Bake Off fatigue and initially I waited to post this until I found the time to create a showstopper worthy of the finale. But as time went by and I got even busier I realised I simply wasn’t in the mood to create a croquembouche (my intended bake) and there’s nothing worse than forcing yourself to bake something. It has to come from a place of love otherwise it’s simply not going to look or taste good.
This season of the Bake Off failed to inspired me – and I really hate to admit that. I am a huge fan of the show, it’s what got me into food blogging in the first place, but am finding the unchanged format a little tired five years on. I think the show needs a bit of a shake up to revitalise it. It didn’t help that I wasn’t inspired by any of the contestants this year – apart from Chetna who had some interesting flavours and ideas. Don’t get me wrong, everyone was perfectly likeable and competent but I wouldn’t rush to buy their books if you catch my drift. I hope I am not alienating everyone by voicing these opinions!
I take my hat off to everyone who linked their bakes here – there’s a lot of talent, determination and plenty of humour in your posts (take a look at Tales of pigling bland) and I want to thank you all for linking up. I have to award some star baker badges here though and these are the recipes that impressed me the most.
1. My Crazy Kitchen produced an impeccable Baked Alaska. This was the bake that frustrated me the most so Helen I applaud you!
2. Angela of Patisserie Makes Perfect has linked many accomplished bakes – take a look at these eclairs not to mention the Jaffa entremet. I really think she should apply for Series 6!
3. Carrie of Time to be An Adult linked a lovely Chocolate and Cherry tea ring and an impressive croquembouche.
4. Luca of Oh La Vache! linked recipes from the French version of the Bake Off (Le Meilleur Patissier) – you should take a look at this lovely sachertorte.
5. Check out this Chocolate and Vanilla Schichttorte from Kirsty of Hijacked by twins and another fine example of this laborious recipe from Beckie of This Is Not My Home.
6. Kat of The Baking Explorer is the only one to attempt the Baklava and this one looks amazing!
7. Many of you made the Croatian Povitica including Lucy the Baking Queen. This is one recipe I would like to make one day.
8. Rosie made Toffee Apple Doughnuts (as did I – great minds and all that…).
9. Kouign Amann from Beckie of This Is Not My Home who admirably linked every challenge if memory serves.
Three randomly bakers will win #GBBO related books – take a look at your inboxes…. Hope to see you all next year… or on #CookBlogShare
Angela Field says
I cannot believe I haven't commented on this. How rude of me! Thank you so much for featuring both of my bakes Lucy. I'm only in the first year of my blog, so it was really fun to take part in something like this.
Thanks again and here's to next year! Well done all, some fabulous bakes here.
Lucy Allen says
Thanks for mentioning my Povitica! It was such fun, I also did every challenge, though it got a bit tiresome at the end
Carrie Landeryou says
Thanks for picking some of mine Lucy, I definitely baked things I would never had done otherwise…like you I've only just started baking again – thankfully there's lots of lovely Christmas ideas around!
Lucy Parissi says
You had beautiful bakes! I still need to make that croquembouche…
helen says
there are some fabulous bakes here & thank you for including my baked alaska – it seems so long ago now!
Lucy Parissi says
I know – the Baked Alaska is one I would rather forget! It does seem years ago somehow
Beckie says
Oh, wow! Thank you for this Lucy – was such fun to link up. And you're right – Gill (tales of pigling bland) and I did every technical challenge.
Lucy Parissi says
That shows enormous commitment! Well done.
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins says
Wow thank you for featuring my Schichttorte, it was fun to bake along and hope to do it again next year x