5 Must-Try Recipes from Great British Bake Off

Every episode of the Great British Bake Off (GBBO) leaves us drooling over the incredible bakes, and the excitement of the show has certainly inspired home bakers around the world to try their hand at the delectable recipes showcased. From intricate pastries to fluffy cakes, here are five must-try recipes from the GBBO that will bring a touch of that competitive magic into your kitchen.

The Signature Chocolate Guinness Cake

The Signature Chocolate Guinness Cake has become legendary since its appearance on the GBBO. Here’s how you can recreate this moist and flavorful masterpiece:

• Ingredients:
  • 250ml Guinness
  • 250g unsalted butter
  • 75g cocoa powder
  • 400g caster sugar
  • 142ml sour cream
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 275g plain flour
  • 2 ½ tsp baking soda
• Steps:
  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 23cm springform tin.
  2. Melt butter with Guinness in a saucepan over medium heat, then add cocoa powder and sugar.
  3. Whisk together sour cream, eggs, and vanilla in a bowl, then combine with the Guinness mixture.
  4. Sift in the flour and baking soda, mix until just combined.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 45-55 minutes.

💡 Note: Using dark, good-quality cocoa powder will elevate the flavor to match the GBBO standards.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Sticky toffee pudding, often featured on the show, is a dessert that combines the sweetness of dates with a rich toffee sauce. Here’s the recipe:

• Ingredients for the pudding:
  • 225g dates (pitted and finely chopped)
  • 175ml boiling water
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 85g unsalted butter
  • 140g demerara sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 175g self-raising flour
• Ingredients for the sauce:
  • 100g dark muscovado sugar
  • 100g unsalted butter
  • 142ml double cream
• Steps:
  1. Soak dates in boiling water with bicarbonate of soda for 5 minutes, then mash or blend into a smooth paste.
  2. Beat butter and sugar together until fluffy, then beat in eggs one at a time. Fold in the flour, followed by the date mixture.
  3. Pour into a greased baking dish and bake at 180°C for about 35 minutes.
  4. For the sauce, melt the sugar and butter together, then add the cream, heating until it becomes thick.

🥄 Note: To get the iconic GBBO moistness, pour some sauce over the pudding while it’s still warm.

The Iconic Paul Hollywood’s Chocolate Cherry Roulade

This roulade was Paul Hollywood’s Signature Challenge on one GBBO episode, showing off a perfect blend of chocolate and cherries:

• Ingredients:
  • 175g plain chocolate (70% cocoa)
  • 6 large eggs, separated
  • 175g caster sugar
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 300ml double cream
  • 200g cherries, pitted and halved
• Steps:
  1. Melt the chocolate over a double boiler, set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Whisk egg whites until stiff, then beat in half the sugar to make a meringue.
  3. Whisk egg yolks with the remaining sugar, then mix in the cooled chocolate, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract.
  4. Fold in the meringue gently to keep the mixture light.
  5. Spread into a lined Swiss roll tin and bake at 180°C for 15-20 minutes.
  6. Once baked, cool, then spread with whipped cream and cherries, roll up, and dust with icing sugar.

🌈 Note: For an authentic presentation, make sure to roll the sponge tightly but gently to avoid cracking.

Frangipane Bakewell Tart

The Frangipane Bakewell Tart seen on the GBBO is a delightful combination of pastry, jam, and almond frangipane:

• Ingredients for the pastry:
  • 225g plain flour
  • 110g unsalted butter
  • 50g icing sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
• Ingredients for the filling:
  • 200g raspberry jam
  • 150g unsalted butter, softened
  • 150g caster sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 150g ground almonds
  • 1 tbsp plain flour
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • Flaked almonds for decoration
• Steps:
  1. Make the pastry by rubbing butter into flour until it resembles breadcrumbs, add icing sugar and egg yolk, and bring together into a dough. Chill for 30 minutes.
  2. Roll out the pastry and line a tart tin, then blind bake for 15 minutes.
  3. Spread jam over the base of the tart.
  4. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs one at a time, then mix in ground almonds, flour, and almond extract.
  5. Pour over the jam, scatter with flaked almonds, and bake at 180°C for 25-30 minutes.

Jury Breadstick’s Focaccia

Bread sticks are often an overlooked aspect of the bake off, but this focaccia recipe from an old episode brings the art of breadmaking to the forefront:

• Ingredients:
  • 500g strong white bread flour
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 7g fast-action yeast
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 400ml lukewarm water
  • Sea salt, rosemary, and tomatoes for topping
• Steps:
  1. Mix flour, salt, and yeast in a large bowl. Make a well, add olive oil and water, and mix to form a dough.
  2. Knead for about 10 minutes until smooth. Let it rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
  3. Punch down the dough, then stretch it into a greased tin or baking sheet. Let it rise again for 20-30 minutes.
  4. Press fingertips into the dough to make dimples, drizzle with oil, and add your toppings.
  5. Bake at 220°C for about 20 minutes until golden.

These recipes from the GBBO are more than just treats; they’re a celebration of baking that has captured the hearts of many. Whether it’s the rich Chocolate Guinness Cake or the rustic Focaccia, each bake brings its own set of skills to the table, offering not only delicious results but also a journey through the art of baking. Let these recipes from the Great British Bake Off inspire your baking endeavors, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll find yourself competing in your very own bake off at home.

Can I substitute ingredients in these GBBO recipes?

+

Yes, feel free to substitute ingredients based on your dietary needs or preferences. For instance, you can use gluten-free flour for the cakes or replace sugar with a natural sweetener. Just keep in mind that alterations might change the texture and flavor of the bake.

How long do these recipes take to make?

+

Preparation times can vary. Generally, cakes like the Chocolate Guinness Cake take about 1.5 to 2 hours from start to finish, including baking time. The Sticky Toffee Pudding and Frangipane Bakewell Tart might take a bit less, around 1 to 1.5 hours. Bread like the Focaccia requires a few hours due to the rising times involved.

Where can I watch Great British Bake Off episodes?

+

The Great British Bake Off can be watched on TV channels like Channel 4 in the UK. Internationally, it might be available on streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime, depending on regional broadcasting rights.