#GBBO Bake Along Round Up

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