After 10 years on our screens, the ITV News West Country presenter is leaving the programme, and loyal viewers are asking why is Kylie Pentelow leaving ITV News and where is she now?

It’s not just famous faces like Kylie who are making career moves. Alison Hammond made her presenting debut in the famous white tent this week, which had people wondering why did Matt Lucas leave Bake Off? 

And, ahead of Channel 4’s Celebrity SAS, fans of the show were confused by the absence of one much-loved adventurer, asking why did Ant Middleton leave Who Dares Wins? 

Joining the studios in 2013, Kylie has covered a wide range of news stories and features during the last decade, and her departure has left viewers heartbroken. 

So, why is Kylie Pentelow leaving ITV News and where is she now? Here’s what we know so far.

Why is Kylie Pentelow leaving ITV News?

According to ITV, Kylie Pentelow is leaving ITV News to “take on a new challenge in her career”. 

ITV confirmed the news of Kylie’s departure with a news story today (Friday 29 September) that included highlights of the presenter’s best moments with Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now as the soundtrack. 

In a statement, Kylie said: “What I’m really going to miss are the people I work with. This is a newsroom and a region with a team who have great wit and humour. I have loved my time here and will miss the camaraderie.

“The great thing about ITV News is that if you have an idea it is rare that someone says no. That is a great culture to have in an organisation.

“After ten years it is time for the next chapter. What I have done during that period has prepared me for that,” she added.

Reflecting on her achievements and dedication to the channel, Journalist and Digital Editor of ITV Granada Reports Laura Heads reposted the story on ITV’s X (formerly Twitter) page, and said: 

“One of the very best. @kyliepentelow will be so, so missed. From hauling kit around the muddiest of Glastonbury’s to being knee-deep in Gloucestershire flood water, to seeing Broadchurch filming up-close. You are a gem and I’ve adored working with you.”

Where is Kylie Pentelow now? 

It hasn’t been confirmed exactly where Kylie will be going or what she is doing, but the former newsreader is the host of The Innocence Podcast with “another exciting project coming soon” – her Instagram bio revealed. 

The 44-year-old also posted a photo on her Instagram of her sitting on the news desk with the caption: “Time for a change – after 10 years, I’ve decided to leave ITV News West Country. My last programme in the South West will be at the end of next month. Will keep you posted on what’s next!”. 

Messages of good luck came pouring in from fans and colleagues alike, and many are waiting in anticipation to see what she’ll do next. 

Where was Kylie Pentelow born? 

Kylie Pentelow was born in Northamptonshire. She lives with husband Brady Haran and their son. 

From working on regional newspapers to becoming a mainstay presenter on ITV’s West Country News, Kylie is also the co-presenter of ITV’s new medical programme Dr Ranj On Call.

It’s clear that Kylie has made a huge mark on the TV industry and we’ll keep you updated on her next chapter. 

Speaking of ITV presenters, Holly Willoughby might be taking to the rink for the popular skating show, so who is on Dancing on Ice 2024? Elsewhere, Netflix’s Sex Education returned to our screens with its iconic historic surroundings so we were curious to find out where is Sex Education filmed? 

With The Great British Bake Off shortly returning to our screens and new contestants revealed, there is only one question on everyone's minds... What week is it on Bake Off and what can we expect from the show?

Intro: With the answer to; when does Bake Off start in 2023 finally announced and the 12 new Bake Off contestants fully unveiled, it's time to find out what the theme of the first week will be. 

The Great British Bake Off follows a new theme for each week of the 10-week-long cooking competition. With some classics always making an appearance such as Bread Week and Biscuit Week to new and obscure themes like this year's introduction to Botanical Week.

 What week is it on Bake Off? 

Week one will be starting off strong with Cake Week. A fan favourite and one that has been tried and tested throughout the many years that Bake Off has blessed our screens, Cake Week has kicked off the majority of past series.

Cake Week has proved difficult for contestants in the past, separating the pack from the get-go. last year’s finalist Abdul forgot to turn on the oven. Nobody wants to be the first to leave the competition, but with first week nerves still at play, what will happen on this year's opening week?

Will Bake Off be the same this year? 

Each week the show follows the same format, starting with the signature bake where each contestant puts their own spin on a classic recipe. This is followed by the technical challenge, daunted by a shroud of gingham, the bakers have no idea what they will be asked to bake. Usually provided with a simplified version of either Prue or Paul's recipe, the bakers must attempt to provide an exact match to the creation asked of them along with the comedy guidance of new Bake Off host Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. Each episode will then be finished off with the showstopper, where the contestants are set a large task which also has to show off their personality within the bake. 

The Great British Bake Off is so well-loved around the world, the upcoming series will now be streaming on Netflix in America on the same week as airing in the UK. So fear not fans across the pond, Bake Off has announced that every Friday starting Friday 29th September at midnight PST, Netflix US will drop the latest episode. 

If you are looking for more Bake Off content to fill your fix why not look at Where is Bake Off filmed or what old what are former Bake Off contestants up to now? 

It's that time of year again when everyone’s favourite baking programme returns to our screens. Here's everything you need to know about when Bake Off starts in 2023.

As Autumn fast approaches and the long summer nights fade into a distant memory, one thing we can look forward to is getting cosy indoors with the return of the Great British Bake Off and a brand new batch of bakers.

This year’s much-anticipated return of the white marquee, accompanied by the Hollywood handshake and gingham altar filled with pastries, cakes and a variety of new technical challenges brings a few questions to all of our minds. Along with wondering where Bake Off is filmed or who the new Bake Off contestants are and who left Bake Off last night?, everyone wants to know when Bake Off starts in 2023.

When does Bake Off start in 2023?

The Great British Bake Off will be returning on Tuesday 26th September at 8pm on Channel 4. The news was confirmed via the official Bake Off social media accounts on Thursday 15 September. 

Sharing the news on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter), an announcement read: "Bake a date in your diaries. Join Paul, Prue, Noel and Alison on Tuesday 26th September for the return of The Great British Bake Off."

Where to watch Bake Off 2023

The Great British Bake Off 2023 will air on Channel 4. Confirmed by Channel 4, Bake Off will air on the channel for the 7th year in a row, after moving across from the BBC in 2017. 

Viewers will also be available to catch up on the latest episodes - as well as previous series if you can't wait to get your baking fix - on Channel 4's streaming service, so you won't miss any of the baking action.

Who will be presenting Bake Off 2023?

This year Alison Hammond, who previously appeared as a Stand Up To Cancer Bake Off special contestant, will be joining Noel Fielding as Bake Off host.

In an interview with The Guardian, Noel Fielding said, "Alison’s bringing such good vibes," while Alison herself added, "It’s weird but I felt like this was something I was always meant to do." She continued, "I just knew it in my heart. I felt a little bit sick but I wanted it so badly."

Also returning will be the infamous judge Paul Hollywood and the ever colourfully dressed Prue Leith. 

 What happened to last year’s finalists?

Winner Syabira teaches authentic Malaysian cooking classes, while fellow finalist Sandro has founded Baking on the Spectrum, a program that uses baking to teach life skills to children on the spectrum.  

Malaysian-born Syabira moved to the UK in 2023 in order to study for her PhD, and brought her own Malaysian twists to 2022’s Bake Off challenges, which proved to be a winning combination. She still demonstrates her love for cooking across her Instagram as well as through her masterclasses.  In an interview with The Guardian, she said that her wildest dream "is to publish a cookbook and make more TV experiences."

Sandro fled his home country of Angola at 2, now at 30 he has embraced his heritage and infused Angolan flavours into his bakes throughout the series. Like 2022’s winner, finalist Sandro has also persisted with his passion for baking with Baking on the Spectrum.

Youngest of the 3 finalists Abdul finally received star baker in the semi-final for his wonderful work in patisserie week. Abdul continues to meet up with his fellow contestants and is even available to hire as a celebrity chef. He is a self-proclaimed "Engineer by day. Dessert devourer by night."

Bake Off format change

This year's series will no longer include national weeks due to backlash surrounding harmful stereotypes and allegations of racism. Previously, the show had a ‘Japan Week’ in 2020, followed by ‘a German Week’ the following year, and a ‘Mexican Week’ in 2022.

Last year's Mexican Week in particular sparked backlash, with hosts Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas sporting sombreros and shaking maracas, as well as mispronouncing Spanish words.

Bake Off producers have decided not to continue country-inspired weeks, and in an interview with The Guardian,  executive producer Kieran Smith admits "We didn’t want to offend anyone but the world has changed and the joke fell flat. We’re not doing any national themes this year."

While the anticipation of the new series builds, there are plenty of Bake Off spin-offs to catch up on. You might be interested to know where Bake Off: The Professionals is filmed or find out when Celebrity Bake Off was last on and who was on the Celebrity Bake Off line-up.

The Great British Bake Off returns to screens with Noel Fielding co-hosting the show and fans are already asking is he married and how many children does he have?

The English comedian and actor joined the reality baking show back in 2017, where he has co-presented alongside Sandi Toksvig and by Matt Lucas, although the upcoming series will see him co-host alongside Alison Hammond, star of This Morning and the new Bake Off Host. 

The pair are expected to cook up some laughs and viewers will want to know more about the much-loved star and funnyman.

Is Noel Fielding married?

Noel Fielding is not thought to be married but he is in a long-term relationship with his partner Lliana Bird, whom he's dated since 2010. Lliana is a writer and radio DJ and the couple are understood to live in the Highgate area of London. The couple met after Lliana appeared in a handful of episodes of BBC Three show The Mighty Boosh in 2012 she made several appearances in both seasons of his self-titled show Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy - a psychedelic character-based comedy show that was half filmed and half animated.

Does Noel Fielding have kids?

Yes, Noel Fielding has kids. He is father to daughters Dali and Iggy whom he has with girlfriend DJ Lliana Bird. His first-born child Dali is named after Noel's favourite surrealist painter Salvador Dali and she was born in spring 2018. His second child Iggy was born in October 2020 and at the time they announced the baby's arrival in a Halloween themed Instagram post.

It read, "The Bird Fielding family of (spider emoji) x x (finally figured out what to do with all my old mic covers!) #halloweencrafts"

And confirmed the unusual baby name after a follower asked, "Really dumb question but who is who?"

And Lliana replied, "Noel is pink, Dali is orange, I’m grey and Iggy is red."

Her baby name inspiration is not yet known.

The couple prefer to keep their family out of the spotlight but Lliana revealed last year on Instagram her eldest daughter's obsession with Disney's Frozen, sharing photographs including some of the best frozen toys for kids of all ages, taken by the youngster, who was four at the time, which she hilariously captioned "dark and compelling photo story by Dali Bean Bird Fielding aged four". 

How many children does Noel Fielding have?

Noel Fielding has two children with his girlfriend Lliana Bird. Lliana is about to publish her first children's book called Baboo the Unusual Bee which she has worked on with illustrator Aysha Tengiz. She explained the meaning behind the story, and revealed her kids were fans of the tale. 

She told fans on Instagram "Baboo the Unusual Bee is the rhyming story of a little pink bee, who loves to dance. Bullied and ignored by the others he leaves the hive, and discovers (with a little help from a new equally unique friend) that what makes him so different is in fact what makes him special."

Lliana added, "At his heart, this is book about celebrating our differences, and realising that rather than being our weaknesses they can be our super powers.

"I really hope your kids enjoy reading it as much as mine have when it’s out this sept (you can preorder it now), and that if any of them have been made to feel “othered” that this helps them reframe that in a loving and fun way."

The book is suitable for children aged two to six.

How much does Noel get paid for Bake Off?

Noel Fielding gets paid approximately £200,000 per series to appear as comedy host on the Great British Bake Off, according to reports by The Sun. Speaking about working alongside his new co-host Alison Hammond, Noel told fans, "It gives me so much pleasure to welcome Alison Hammond into the tent . I’m absolutely pumped we are working together. We are gonna spend the whole time giggling like naughty school kids. The bakers are gonna love you to bits."

The Great British Bake Off TX date hasn't been officially announced yet, but it's expected to start on12th September on Channel 4.

You can find out more about Noel Fielding including his daily art initiative for kids who are bored at home, or The Great British Bake Off including recipes, like Mary Berry's lemon drizzle cake, or Paul Hollywood's iced fingers.

Is Paul Hollywood married and does he have kids? With the new series of Bake Off finally here, viewers interest in the judge's private life has piqued. 

The Great British Bake Off contestants for 2023 have been confirmed, and the long-awaited 14th series of the nation's favourite baking shows is landing on our screens.  The hosting line up is also looking a little different this year, with the new Bake Off host now confirmed for the upcoming series. Such is the popularity of the gasping at showstoppers and guessing who might take the crown, the show has spawned several other iterations including Celebrity Bake Off, and one for those across the pond - The Great American Baking Show. 

It's not just laughing at the innuendo and soggy bottoms, and hunting down Bake Off  recipes to recreate at home that viewers enjoy - they also find the home lives of the presenters and judges fascinating. With this in mind, we take a look at whether judge Paul Hollywood is married, and whether he has kids - sadly, you can't visit where Bake Off is filmed when the tent is up, to ask him and find out for yourselves. 

Is Paul Hollywood married?

Paul Hollywood isn't currently married, having divorced his wife in 2019.

Hollywood met first wife Alexandra while he was working in Cyprus as head baker at a five star hotel, and she had taken a job as a scuba diving instructor on the island. The pair married in Cyprus in 1998, but briefly separated in 2013 when it was revealed Hollywood had been involved in an affair with his co-judge on The American Baking Competition, Marcela Valladolid. Once reconciled, Paul and Alexandra stayed together until 2017 when they separated once again - a divorce was finalised in July 2019. 

Speaking about wanting to wait until looking for love again once the marriage was over, Alexandra said to Hello "My own marriage was too over-seasoned with extra marital affairs for my taste and so I opted out and chose the single menu instead. As I regained my confidence, my freedom and myself after so long, I discovered that it really isn't a cliche to say happiness really does comes from within."

She expanded on being single for self-care, adding "I still get the occasional well-meaning comment - that I'll get 'snapped up soon' (rather like a supermarket meal deal) people don't like to believe that a woman can be happier single and I'm told that I shouldn't worry, that I'll meet someone special again. But that's just it. I already have. That someone special is me…" 

It was when Hollywood separated from Alexandra that he began dating 23-year-old Summer Monteys-Fullam; at 51, he was 28 years her senior. The pair reportedly met when Paul had arranged a birthday party for Alexandra at the bar where Summer worked - they began dating shortly after Hollywood was separated. 

Hollywood is said to have presented Summer with a gagging order to prevent her her discussing their relationship. Said to be upset by these actions, the young woman ended their romance soon afterwards, in 2019. 

Summer then took part in an Instagram Q&A, and when asked if she'd rather date someone not in the limelight, answered "100%, I'm not interested in the slightest in dating someone famous again. It was a disaster!! Lol". Summer now works as an aesthetician in Cheltenham, specialising in lash extensions and lip enhancements.  

Does Paul Hollywood have kids?

Paul has one son with first wife Alexandra named Joshua, who is currently 21-years-old.

Paul doesn't share pictures of himself and his only son to social media, and mum Alexandra only shares an occasional snippet - therefore, little is known about what Joshua is currently doing. The most recent update Alexandra gave her Instagram fans about her son, was on his 21st birthday.

On October 1, 2022, she posted a sweet snap of the pair, captioned "I can’t believe it, those years have gone in the blink of an eye and yet I still remember the moment I first saw him, like it was yesterday️. Being a parent is a privilege not a right - we don’t own our children, they are lent to us and sooner or later we have to let them go (which is really bloody hard isn’t it?) but watching Josh become the clever funny and inspiring young man he is, has been the most wonderful journey - I’m so very proud of him."

The last time Paul spoke about his son was in a 2016 interview with Digital Spy. Speaking of the regular father-son activities they could undertake, he said "I normally say to him, 'What do you want to do? Do you want to go-kart, do you want to go shopping, do you want to play on the Xbox, do you want to go kick a ball around?'" 

Explaining that his son was beginning to forge an interest in baking, he added "And he's a teenager, so he'll normally go, 'I want to play on the Xbox'. But recently he said, 'Dad, I want to bake with you. I got a bit emotional about it, if I'm honest.'" 

Is Paul Hollywood engaged?

Paul Hollywood is thought to be engaged to current girlfriend Melissa Spalding, whom he has been dating since 2019.

Paul reportedly met 39-year-old Melissa at the pub and B&B she runs in Ashford, which is close to where he resides. It is thought the couple moved in together just before lockdown, although Paul has remained tight-lipped about the relationship, rarely speaking of his alleged wife-to-be in public. 

It was suggested by Hello magazine that previous press intrusion into his private life is the reason Hollywood distances himself from discussing it in recent years. He said "The press intrusion can be such a horrible thing to deal with, and it isn't fair, because there's no right to reply."

He added: "I've withdrawn a lot in the last six years and I'm happiest at home, just putting on my slippers and dressing gown in front of the telly. I don't go out that much and being in large groups of people makes me nervous."

According to the Evening Standard, a source close to the couple said at the time of the engagement "Paul proposed some months ago, but they have been keeping it very quiet since then. It’s only in the past month that she has begun wearing her engagement ring out in public, and sharing their news with friends." He has still not commented on the matter publicly.

Does Paul Hollywood wear blue contacts?

Despite his recognisable piercing blue eyes, Paul Hollywood doesn't wear blue contact lenses.

Speaking on the Hits Breakfast Show, Paul discussed the rumours surrounding his eye colour. When asked if it was enhanced in any way, the baking star replied "Erm... I don't know, they are quite blue. It depends what light I'm in and in the tent it's quite white."

He then added that he's always been told he has his grandad's eyes, saying "I was looking at photographs and they're very, very similar, so it's my Grandad I've got to blame for them." His eyes are also offset by his famous tan, "I catch the sun really easily," he said, adding "I always have done, and so, I’ve always got a tan before I start and as the Bake Off goes on, the make-up girls always take the mickey because I’m getting darker and darker as the Bake Off goes on ‘cause it’s getting warmer and warmer."

For more Bake Off news, we look at whether new presenter Alison Hammond is married and if she has kids. We've already revealed where Bake Off , filmed, but we also have the lowdown on where Bake Off: The Professionals is filmed. 

And we've got plenty of Bake Off related recipes for you to try too, from Mary Berry's lemon drizzle cake and Paul Hollywood's scones to 2015 winner Nadiya Hussein's teriyaki salmon.

Get the popcorn ready because Bake Off: The Professionals is back on our screens for its eighth season - and viewers want to know where it's filmed.

The Great British Bake Off spin-off show follows the search for Britain's best patisserie team, and this year the show has a new judge, Ted Lasso star Ellie Taylor, who will be stepping into Stacey Solomon's shoes. She will star alongside veteran host and ex-contestant Liam Charles, Benoit Blin, chef pâtissier at Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, and Cherish Finden, a former executive pastry chef of the Pan Pacific London Hotel.

As usual, the latest series will see 11 pairs of professional bakers working together to create culinary masterpieces in a bid to win the cooking competition. And just like viewers want to know where The Great British Bake Off is filmed, fans are asking the same of the spin-off. Read on to find out more about the location, the judges and the contestants, as well as when the baking show launched and how long it takes to film.

Where is Bake Off: The Professionals filmed 2023?

Bake Off: The Professionals 2023 was filmed in Firle Place in Lewes, Sussex. Halfway between Brighton and Eastbourne, the beautiful Tudor manor belongs to the Gage family, who acquired it from the Levett family in the 15th century.

The luxury kitchen the bakers work in is actually a purpose-built set, built from scratch in the converted stables at the posh stately home. It takes a team around 10 days to set up the kitchens before the contestants arrive. 

The stables, which are normally used for weddings and parties, have special insulation and temperature control installed to avoid any melted chocolate disasters.

There's an area behind the scenes that you won't see on screen - where all the washing up takes place. You also don't see all the camera crew working in the background to get the perfect shot of that delicious cake. And painstakingly, even when the bakers finish their creations, they have to wait another two hours before the judging starts, which is when the camera team get their best shots.

The show moved filming location to Firle Place in 2021, after previously being filmed at Welbeck Abbey in Nottingham. However, it's not the first time Firle Place has been used for filming. The 2020 movie Emma and BBC TV series Jonathan Creek also shot scenes there.

When was Bake Off: The Professionals 2023 filmed?

Bake Off: The Professionals was filmed over a 10-week period between April and June 2023, with contestants baking for up to 16 hours a day of filming. 

There are ten hour-long episodes in total, and they air at 9pm on Tuesdays on Channel 4.

Who are the judges on Bake Off: The Professionals 2023?

The Bake Off: The Professionals judges are Benoit Blin and Cherish Finden. They are joined by comedian, actress and writer Ellie Taylor, who will co-host with Liam Charles - who was a contestant on series 8 of The Great British Bake Off. 

Originally from Singapore, Cherish began cooking for her family at a young age and went on to work at some of Singapore's most prestigious hotels. After moving to London, she worked as Executive Pastry Chef at the Langham Hotel. In her first year in the city, she won 'Dessert of the Year', a competition that she now judges.

Frenchman Benoit has worked as a Chef Pâtissier at Raymond Blanc’s two-star Michelin restaurant for over 20 years, and has judged prestigious events such as the UK Pastry Open, UK and European Sugar Championships, National Chef of the Year, British Culinary Federation Chef Competition and the Master of Culinary Arts Finals.

Meanwhile, Ellie Taylor told Channel 4 ahead of taking on her new role: "They said: ‘Would you like the job?’ I said: ‘Is there cake? Can I eat it? Yes, please.’ It was a no-brainer. It’s a dream gig. 

"Me and my husband watch the main Bake Off together and, although I hadn’t regularly watched Bake Off: The Professionals, I’d seen bits."

Bake Off: The Professionals 2023 contestants

The professional bakers will be competing in teams of two to impress the judges. Once again they'll be assigned different colours and go head-to-head in a series of baking challenges, showing off their technical skills and creativity in the hope to emerge the best baker in the all-important finale. 

Let's take a look at the teams...

• Annie and Subin from The Dorchester
• Chantelle and Kasia from Glenapp Castle
• Andrew and Raf from Harwoods PatisseriesCaroline and Martin from Bisous Bisous
• Nicoletta and Georgina from Meraki Baking Studio
• Baking professionals Mustapha and Tracy
• Margo and Ally from Lexington Catering
• Baking professionals Martyn and Jenny
• Mauro and Daniel from The Landmark London
• Mayank and Dharma from St James’ Court, A Taj Hotel
• Baking duo Naira and Andrea

What should we expect from Bake Off: The Professionals 2023?

This year, the Bake Off: The Professionals challenges are bigger and better than before as contestants will have to push themselves to new heights of creativity and skill to make it to the final. 

Channel 4 writes: “Family favourites bread and butter pudding and banoffee pie are reinvented in ordinary becomes the extraordinary showpiece challenges, while pavlova, peach melba and mille-feuille are reimagined. 

“Themes include safari, archaeology, land of the giants, life of amphibians and reptiles and mad science. And, for the first time, teams are asked to create a fully suspended showpiece on the theme of take flight.”

We can't wait to see what kind of gravity-defying masterpieces the teams create!

How long has Bake Off : The Professionals been going?

Bake Off: The Professionals first arrived on screens eight years ago in March 2016 on BBC. The show was presented by chef Tom Kerridge, Benoit Blin, Cherish Finden and Claire Clark. 

The second series was presented by Angus Deayton, and the third series moved to Channel 4 to join The Great British Bake Off after the BBC didn't renew the series. It was renamed Bake Off: The Professionals, after previously being known as Bake Off: Creme de la Creme.

In other news, we've revealed when Bake Off starts in 2023. Elsewhere, we've got all the details on the new Great British Bake Off host Alison Hammond, and the home life of Bake Off legend Paul Hollywood. We've also shared everything we know about The Great American Baking Show.

It's back, The Great American Baking Show has a fresh batch of contestants looking to tickle the judges' tastebuds.

And while the show has switched from its ABC home to Roku, it's expected to be jam packed with all the sweet treats you'll want to try and rustle up at home.

Pulling the show together is hosts Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and The Office star Ellie Kemper and Severance star Zach Cherry. 

Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith return to the tent to see which contestant has what it takes to be crowned The Great American Baking champ, as we look at all you need to know about the new season...

The Great American Baking Show Judges

The Great American Baking Show judges are Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. And whether you've already watched an episode or not, they don't hold back on giving the bakers some brutally honest critique. Paul is well versed in giving out handshakes and criticism where needed as he has been a judge in The Great British Bake Off since 2010 and Prue replaced long-standing judge Mary Berry in 2017.

The Great American Baking Show cast

The bakers competing in the sixth season of The Great American Baking show are; 

• Martin Sorge - a former executive director of the Uptown Chamber of Commerce who lives in Chicago and can make Instagram-worthy bread. 
• Nirali Chauhan  - This med school student got into baking while studying at the University of Illinois at Chicago. And baking cookies at her home in Chicago is said to be her forte.
• Stacie Nakamoto  - A biochemist and faculty member at UCLA, she runs her own podcast The Baker's Notebook and co-hosts it when she's not in the kitchen.
• Dyana O'Brien  - Her fun style and eye-catching outfits will hopefully compliment her baking, having previously made lots of bread creations.
• Susan Simpson  - As winner in the 2021 Sweet Bread/Rolls category in the Adult Division of the Virtual National Festival of Breads Susan is one to watch on Bread week.
• Karis Stucker  - Runs her own cakery business and teaches Spanish in her spare time
• Jonathan Gottfried  - is a technology entrepreneur who will be relying on the oven to make his best bakes.
• Sarah Chang  - Also a medical student in Chicago, Sarah is hoping to represent the city "well".
• Sean Liu - A digital illustrator who is expected to set the bar high when it comes to the showstoppers.

Where can I watch The Great American Baking Show? 

You can watch episodes of The Great American Baking Show on the Roku channel which is a built-in feature in Roku devices in the US. If you don't have a Roku device, fear not, for you can still access the show via the Roku Channel app which is a free ad-supported service. And UK fans can also tune in by accessing the channel on Sky Q, Amazon Fire TV or Now TV devices.

How many seasons of The Great American Baking Show are there?

There are five seasons of The Great American Baking Show and season six has just started airing from May 5th. The first five seasons aired on ABC and now the sixth season has made its Roku debut since the channel acquired the rights to the American versions of The Great British Bake Off franchise. 

The latest season features six episodes - from cookie week, cake week, bread week, and pastry week, to the semi-finals and finals. Each contestant will have to prove they've got what it takes to complete some baking challenges to the judges' high expectations. Each week a star baker will be crowned and another will be eliminated until there is one overall winner left at the end of the final.

Fans will already be familiar with the format after tuning in to watch the winter special which aired last year, The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday.

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The new Bake Off host is days away from stepping into the tent - here's everything we know about them. 

As the return of the Great British Bake Off 2023 fast approaches, fans are wondering who the new Bake Off host is. After taking over from Sandi Toksvig, previous co-host Matt Lucas announced his departure from the show in December 2022, and following months of speculation as to who would replace him it was announced back in March that Alison Hammond will be joining fellow co-host Noel Fielding alongside judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.

Hammond has previously participated as a baker on the show during a Stand Up to Cancer special and is bringing her happy energy back to support this year's group of amateur bakers. After crashing onto our screens back in 2002 on Big Brother, Hammond has been a part of multiple reality TV and presenting roles throughout the years with her natural comedic flair, making her an excellent addition to the team.

Who is the new Bake Off host?

Alison Hammond was confirmed as the new Bake Off host on Friday 17 March. The TV star announced the news on her social media accounts, with a video of a cake in the shape of the Bake Off tent - including sugar models of herself, Noel Fielding, Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.

She will be taking over from Matt Lucas, who announced he would be leaving Bake Off back in December, after co-hosting three series. But it won't be the first time Alison has visited the Bake Off tent, however, as the TV presenter also made an appearance on 2020's Celebrity Bake Off.

Bake Off fans have been quick to celebrate the news of Alison Hammond's new role on social media. One Twitter user replied to Alison's tweet saying, "I was sad when Matt Lucas announced he was leaving but it’s totally brightened my day to hear you are taking over! Absolutely the best person to take over! Congratulations Alison! Cannot wait to see you on #GBBO!! Brilliant".

Another wrote, "Yessss this is amazing!!" while a third user said, "Brilliant news! Congratulations".

Who is Alison Hammond?

Alison Hammond is a TV presenter and personality, who first shot to fame when she appeared on the third series of Big Brother. Since then Hammond has appeared on numerous panel and reality shows ranging from Loose Women to I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. 

Alison is now a household name across the UK, bringing her charismatic and hilarious energy to everything she works on. Her interview style allows for both listener and interviewee to feel at ease due to her informal and relaxed style. 

Weeks after rumours of Alison’s engagement to Landscape Gardener Ben Hawkins, she announced her split live on air whilst presenting This Morning. With no new potential partners revealed, Hammond’s focal man in her life is 18-year-old son Aiden. 

According to The Mirror it is rumoured that Love Island producers are keen to see if the talent for reality TV runs in the family, having already approached Alison’s son to participate on the show. 

Why is Matt Lucas leaving Bake Off?

Matt Lucas is leaving The Great British Bake Off due to scheduling issues with his other projects, including Fantasy Football League, which returned to TV screens after 18 years in September 2022.

The comedian revealed after the latest series of Bake Off that he would be stepping down from his role as a presenter on the show, but he is returning to present this year's Celebrity Bake Off, before Alison Hammond steps into the role.

Announcing his departure from the baking show on Twitter, Matt Lucas said: "It’s been a delicious experience and I can’t imagine a more fun way of spending my summers. But it’s become clear to me that I can’t present both Fantasy Football League and Bake Off alongside all my other projects.

"So, after three series and 51 episodes, I am cheerfully passing the baguette on to someone else."

For fans of Bake Off, find out more about judge Paul Hollywood and if he's married, and try out one of his recipes for simple scones. Or take a look at where Bake Off is filmed. 

The celebrity special is back for Stand Up to Cancer 2023. Here's when The Great Celebrity Bake Off is on this year...

Stand Up To Cancer is a joint national fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 that brings the UK together to speed up progress in life-saving cancer research. Each year the event brings us a host of entertaining TV, from Celebrity Hunted and Celebrity Gogglebox to The Great Celebrity Bake Off.

Channel 4 has already confirmed who will be on Celebrity Bake Off this year, and now we've finally got a date to look forward to. With celebrities including David Schwimmer, Gemma Collins, Tom Daley - who recently welcomed a secret second son - and Jay Blades set to descend on the infamous tent where Bake Off is filmed, we've got everything you need to know about how you can watch the Stand Up to Cancer special. So, if you've had a cake-shaped hole in your life since we found out who won Bake Off 2022, then keep reading to find out when Celebrity Bake Off 2023 will be on...

When is Celebrity Bake Off 2023?

Celebrity Bake Off will start on Sunday 19th March at 7:45pm. The slot differs from the show's usual broadcast, which has previously always been on a Tuesday.

There will be 5 episodes of the celebrity special airing weekly on Tuesdays, and each week will see four new celebrities put their baking skills to the test and compete for the title of Star Baker.

The celebrities will each spend two days in the Bake Off tent as they participate in the signature, technical and showstopper challenges, hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year's Star Bakers Ellie Goulding, Ben Miller, Example, Gareth Malone and Emma Willis.

This year, the star-studded line-up includes actor David Schwimmer, TV presenter Jay Blades, singer Jesy Nelson and one of the Dragons' Den Dragons, Deborah Meaden, and many more.

How to watch Celebrity Bake off 2023

Celebrity Bake Off will air on Channel 4 each week. Each episode will be one hour long, and will start at 7.45pm.

For those who miss the TV broadcast or need to catch up, Celebrity Bake Off 2023 episodes will also be available on All 4, Channel 4's on demand streaming service.

You can also watch previous series of Celebrity Bake Off by visiting The Great Celebrity Bake Off for SU2C on All 4.

Who is presenting Celebrity Bake Off 2023?

Celebrity Bake Off will be presented by comedians Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas - who also host the regular version of The Great British Bake Off - and they will be joined by judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.

Matt Lucas revealed after the latest series of The Great British Bake Off that he would be stepping down from his role as a presenter on the show, but he is returning to present the Stand Up To Cancer series before new Bake Off host Alison Hammond steps into the role.

Announcing his departure from the baking show on Twitter, Matt Lucas said: "It’s been a delicious experience and I can’t imagine a more fun way of spending my summers. But it’s become clear to me that I can’t present both Fantasy Football League and Bake Off alongside all my other projects.

"So, after three series and 51 episodes, I am cheerfully passing the baguette on to someone else."

Video of the Week

Gordon Ramsay is back with another cooking show and as culinary fans tune in to see if he drops the F-bomb in the kitchen many are asking where is Next Level Chef filmed?

The show, which is in its second season features talented contestants from different parts of the country who compete with each other and display their culinary skills in front of a panel of esteemed judges to claim the prestigious title.

As a celebrity chef and dad of five children, Gordon Ramsay has cooked a fair few reciepes in his time so he hosts the show and also serves as a mentor along with Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais.

If you love shows like Celebrity MasterChef, Bake Off or James Martin's Saturday Morning, you'll love the amount of food inspiration in each episode, and  as we look at all you need to know about its filming locations...

Where is Next Level Chef filmed?

The Next Level Chef is filmed in Las Vegas on a specially constructed set which is built within an industrial tent. It consisted of three kitchens that are stacked on top of each other. And for the UK version, a studio hub is used in Acton, London. The first season made its debut on the Fox channel in January 2022, and the second season first aired on 12th February, premiering on Fox after Super Bowl LVII.

The US show was ranked as the highest-rated debut of the season among adults aged 18-49.

Katie Rawcliffe, head of entertainment commissioning at ITV, has described the shows as “a dynamic, edge of your seat cooking competition”.

How much did the Next Level Chef set cost?

Gordon Ramsay spent $4,000,000 on gargantuan tri-level set with three kitchens stacked on top of one another. Showrunner and executive producer Matt Cahoon spoke with TheWrap, "It truly was a next-level marvel constructed by our team. Built with over 85 tons of steel, our stage is 50 feet high, meaning we had to have a production hub built to house it, as the only permanent structures with that kind of height were sports arenas."

Matt continued, "A 40,000-square-foot industrial tent was built. It was the largest temporary structure in Las Vegas history. With that, our stage had to pass many of the permanent building codes in Clark County. With that much fortitude built-in, neither the heat nor the sound was ever an issue from floor to floor."

And the set is good for the environment too, he added, "One more thing we were truly proud of … the entire set was 100% green — a feat never before accomplished. All of our burners and ranges were run on natural gas. All of our generators, which ran electric and air conditioning (which we used a lot of in the Las Vegas 110 degree heat) were also gas powered. This set was absolutely cutting edge.”

Is Next Level Chef coming to UK?

Yes, Gordon Ramsay has brought Next Level Chef to the UK. He swapped his Las Vegas set for one in London's Acton Hub studios. The ITV deal marks Studio Ramsay Global’s first format sale for the show, which is shot in the UK studio hub and features Gordon alongside two additional panelists. Gordon, Lisa Edwards, and Ian Peckham will executive produce.

The US show is available to watch in the UK on ITVX. In the US, the series is currently airing on Fox at 8pm. Eastern Time; 7pm. Central Time. Speaking ahead of tonights US show, the official Instagram page teased, "We're gonna keep on stacking our cheese, bread, and lettuce!"

Meanwhile, on the UK version, it's the finals next week, Semi Finalist Ian Golding, shared, "We’re in the Semi-Finals!

"Here I am with the other semi-finalists from Next Level Chef UK - so proud to be in the company of these other amazing cooks & chefs - I was sure I’d be out week 1!

"Just goes to show home cooks have skills & creativity to hold their own & even beat professional chefs in the kitchen!"

And fans were excited, one wrote, "Let’s gooo" and another added, "Let’s go! Can’t wait!"

The format is set on a stage that is over three stories high, with each floor containing a different kitchen featuring culinary equipment and ingredients matching their environment. The show then pits all types of cooks against one another as they compete within the circumstances of their assigned kitchen to win a cash prize and be crowned Next Level Chef.

The show comes off the back of Gordon Ramsay’s 24 Hours To Hell And Back, The F-Word With Gordon Ramsay and Gordon, Gino And Fred’s Road Trip which have all been produced by Studio Ramsay since 2016.

Will there be a Next Level Chef 2?

Yes, Next Level Chef 2 is currently being aired on Fox and you can watch it in the UK on ITV and ITVX. Season one contained 11 episodes but it's not yet known how many episodes will form season two.

Watch Next Level Chef live on Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST on Fox — and stream new episodes the following day on Hulu. Meanwhile Next Level Chef UK is aired on Wednesdays at 9pm on ITV and ITVX.

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Video of the week

The BBC cooking competition that delivers the best starter, fish dish, main and dessert fit for a banquet is back as fans ask when does Great British Menu 2023 start?

If you love shows like the Great British Bake Off, or MasterChef you're in for a treat with Great British Menu.

Season 18 is almost here with host Andi Oliver bringing you the judges, contestants and dishes for the new season featuring the return of comedian Ed Gamble, chef Tom Kerridge and Nisha Katona chef trainer on Cooking with the Stars 2022.

The Great British Menu is yet to announce its full line up of chefs for this season but the first-leg of the contest will see four chefs go head-to-head, as we look at all you need to know about the culinary show...

When does Great British Menu 2023 start?

Great British Menu 2023 starts at 8pm on Tuesday 31st January on BBC Two with three one-hour ling episodes screened on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week for nine weeks in a row for an expected total of 27 episodes.

The show announced its return on its Twitter page with a preview pic and captioned it, "Starting date KLAXON!!!! Set your New series of Great British Menu starts 8pm Tuesday 31st January!" And show bosses have kept the judging and presenters - much to the delight of fans.

One fan tweeted, "Excellent news! So pleased to see same line up of judges / presenters too."

Another fan agreed, "One of my favourites and so glad you’ve got the same judges"

And a third fan added, "Hallelujah! I so need this to make the transition from winter into spring bearable!"

What is the Great British Menu 2023 theme?

The Great British Menu 2023 theme is in celebration of Paddington Bear's 65th birthday, so the chefs will be taking inspiration from the best of British animation and illustration when creating their dishes, from cartoons to video games. And fans are delighted with the news. One fan tweeted, "What a great theme! Can’t wait to see what the chefs come up with!"

Another fan added, "Brilliant and the brief sounds amazing. Can’t wait to watch"

A third excited viewer added, "Can’t wait and what a marvellous theme this year".

The show teased what kind of dishes can be expected from the season including a crocodile shaped beef wellington and a Desperate Dan cow pie...

Great British Menu 2023 chef line-up

The chefs confirmed to be taking part in the Great British Menu so far is Gareth Bartram, head chef at Winteringham Fields, Rory Welch, head chef at Träkol, Will Lockwood, head chef at Roots, and Cal Byerley, head patron of Pine.

For the first time this year, the show will release the chefs taking part each week - with the line up being revealed week by week rather than having the line up all at once, and over the course of the series 32 chefs will represent eight different regions in the UK.

Do the chefs on Great British Menu get paid?

The chefs on Great British Menu don't get paid to take part in the show, instead the restaurants they represent have to supply a budget, although it's expected that they make more money in return for the exposure they get on the show. Some contestants spend extra money on the props they use to present their dishes.

Avril said, "There are some chefs who spend a lot of money on props." In the past contestants like Lisa Goodwin-Allen made an edible snow globe in the 2020 Christmas Special. 

But if they're not part of the dish they can become too elaborate or expensive, compromises end up having to be made when it comes to the banquet.

"I remember when we were doing Adam Simmons ration box for D-Day," Avril said. "His box cost an absolute fortune and I was like, ‘oh my gosh, we’re not going to be able to replicate that’ and we spent so much time trying to find an alternative that looked just as good.

"We did, and it was great, and he was just as happy with it.”

How long does it take to film Great British Menu?

The Great British Menu takes approximately nine weeks to film in Stratford-upon-Avon, in Warwickshire. The filming schedule is said to be "tight" with no two days the same. 

Speaking about the schedule, Great British Menu producer Avril Welch told The Grilled podcast with Richard Bainbridge, that each heat is filmed over the course of a week; on Monday, the chefs get settled in, meet the veteran and cook the canapés; on Tuesday, they cook their starters and fish courses, followed by their main courses and pre-desserts on Wednesday. Thursday is dessert, then, on Friday, it's time for the judges chamber, and the chefs have to cook their entire menu in one go.

"That Friday with the judges is a long day," Avril said, and not just for the chefs. For judges Nisha Katona, Tom Kerridge, Ed Gamble and their guest, "now it’s 12 courses they’re eating, because we’ve added canapés and pre-desserts in.”

Previously the show was filmed over two days, with two courses made each day.

"Those days were absolutely brutal because if you’ve had a bad score on the starter or main course, you’ve got to pick yourself up and start again to do fish and dessert," Avril explained.

It is hard work for the chefs and the whole team behind the show. “Long, long days, it’s hard work, and even though they’re only cooking three dishes on those days for each course, it’s still really draining.”

When did Great British Menu start?

The Great British Menu first started back on 10th April 2006 with top British chefs from around the UK tasked with competing to produce a menu that is served at a prestigious banquet for special events and prominent guests. The first series was presented by Jennie Bond, Susan Calman and Andi Oliver.

You can watch clips from previous seasons on the official Great British Menu YouTube channel

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Video of the week

As Junior Bake Off returns to screens tonight with Harry Hill as host, you might be wondering is Harry Hill the new Bake Off presenter?

As presenter Harry Hill prepares to introduce 16 of Britain's best junior bakers all hoping to impress judges Liam Charles and Ranveet Gill, we wonder whether Harry could be the new Bake Off host, after Matt Lucas announced he is stepping down from the role. Many agree his colourful outfits and funny personality would make him a great fit for the show.

Junior Bake Off is a spin-off from the normal show, much like Celebrity Bake Off is too. The popular children's baking contest is kicking off at 5pm on Channel 4 on Monday 16th January, with a new batch of young bakers hoping to win the eighth season.

Is Harry Hill the new Bake Off presenter?

Harry Hill is not the new Bake Off presenter. On Friday 17 March, it was confirmed that it will instead be TV presenter Alison Hammond who is stepping into Matt Lucas' shoes as co-host of the show.

Harry Hill has been Junior Bake Off presenter since 2019 and even took part in the show as a contestant on Stand Up to Cancer campaign in which he based one of his bakes on a holiday with the then Duchess of Cornwall making a bikini-clad Camilla, now Queen Consort, out of gingerbread for a celebrity version of the charity contest.

Speaking of hosting Junior Bake Off Harry said at the time, "I’m very excited to be going back in the tent and breathing the cake fumes – I know a certain duchess will be looking on, brimming with pride.”

Junior contestants face two challenges - a technical and a showstopper - as part of 10 heats of the show.

Viewers previously hoped that Harry would be considered as host of the main show, should then hosts, Sandi Toksvig or Noel Fielding ever leave. 

"Harry Hill was a genius host of Bake Off Junior and tbh they should consider him to host the real thing if Sandi or Noel ever decide to call it a day."

Another fan agreed tweeting, "He's so charming and funny. I can see what you mean."

But Harry hasn't even been listed as a favourite in the running to host the main adult version of the show.

According to Betfair, Richard Ayoade is the 7/2 favourite to join Noel Fielding in the Great British Bake Off tent as a presenter after Matt Lucas revealed he was leaving the show. Former Great British Sewing Bee presenter Joe Lycett is next at 9/2 to step into Lucas’ shoes, with 2015 winner Nadiya Hussain next at 7/1. A return for duo Mel Giedroyc Sue Perkins is 16/1, while James Acaster returning to the tent is 10/1 after his memorable appearance on the celebrity version of the show.

Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said, “Joe Lycett presented three series of The Great British Sewing Bee and is 9/2 to swap needles for kneading and replace the outgoing Matt Lucas as a presenter on The Great British Bake Off.

“Richard Ayoade is the current 7/2 favourite, with 2015 Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain 7/1. James Acaster made a memorable appearance on the celebrity edition and is 10/1 to return to the tent as a presenter, while a comeback for Mel and Sue is 16/1.”

Who is presenting Bake Off?

Bake Off will now be presented by Noel Fielding and  Alison Hammond. Junior Bake Off Junior will continue to be presented by comedian Harry Hill.

Speaking about a possible replacement, Bake Off judge Prue Leith told viewers of The One Show, "You know, almost everybody who's in telly has told me 'I'm available' as if I had anything to do with it.

"What I think about Matt Lucas is that I'm really sad because I love the guy. He's such fun and he got on well with Noel, they were just brilliant...I don't know who should replace him really."

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Video of the week

Who won The Great British Bake Off 2022 might be the question on your mind as Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith decided whose baked treats weren't good enough to win the season final.

Whilst for many people the end of August and start of September saw children going back to school and the approach of autumn, for baking enthusiasts it was time to settle down for when Bake Off starts for 2022 . The new The Great British Bake Off 2022 line-up was announced earlier this year, leaving fans in no doubt that this was going to be a fabulous series. 

Over the years so many Great British Bake Off contestants - and Celebrity Bake Off contestants too - have gone on to great things and now new bakers entered the tent to battle it out for the chance to be crowned Star Baker and progress one step closer to the final. But who won The Great British Bake Off last night and who was sent home? We reveal what you need to know after the final episode…

Who won The Great British Bake Off 2022?

Syabira Yusoff was crowned winner of the Great British Bake Off 2022. After last week's emotional semi final that saw Janusz axed from the Bake Off tent, Patisserie week needed perfection and it dashed another baker's dreams of becoming a champion in the tent. It was Abdul and Sandro who Prue and Paul decided to let go in the final, with the electronics engineer and the London nanny failing to impress with a summer pudding bomb and a showstopper.

On winning, Syabira admitted, "This is the biggest achievement in my life. All of the hard work, all of the trial and error - it's all worth it. I'm very, very proud!"

She added, "I'm coming out as a new person after this competition. I became more confident and I trust my instinct. We can do anything we want as long as we give all of our heart and work for it."

Fans are delighted with the winning result.

One fan tweeted, "Yay congratulations Syabira!! Such a humble contestant and such a well deserved win!"

Another fan put, "What 3 wonderful bakers - and people. Love them all! Be more like bakers hey. #gbbo #bekind #bakeoff @BritishBakeOff"

And a third fan added, "Fantastic !!!!! Congrats to Syabira !!!! I knew she was gonna win Bake Off this season !!!! Congratulations to all the winners !!!!!"

But runners up Sandro was full of praise for the winner, he said, "I'm so proud of Syabira she fully deserves this. She is the Queen of flavours." Beforereflecting on his time on the show.

"It's been an amazing experience. It's been a dream. You guys made my dream come true."

And reflecting on the past 10 weeks, runner up Abdul said, "For me, this is a massive achievement. I'm so happy. I'm so proud of myself and I'm happy that Syabira got it as well. You could see in her how hard she has worked for this."

All episodes of The Great British Bake Off 2022 are now available to catch-up on via All 4.

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Video of the week

Former The Great British Bake Off judge, Mary Berry, has praised Kate Middleton on her parenting skills and hailed her a 'good baker'.

• Mary Berry has shared some kind words about friend Kate Middleton at the Pride of Britain Awards.
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The baking icon teamed up with the royal couple for a Christmas TV special in 2019, ‘A Berry Royal Christmas’ which saw Kate and William join Mary as well as former Bake Off star Nadiya Hussain, in the kitchen to whip up some festive favorites. It was here that Mary and Kate clearly struck up a bond, as the legendary chef was impressed with the mother-of-three's cake-making skills.

Making an appearance on the red carpet at the Pride of Britain, Mary told the Daily Star, “She was absolutely wonderful and lovely, she is a good baker, “ before adding, “Her mother is a good baker and she wants to do things well.”

Mary then took a moment to praise Kate’s parenting, saying, “She does it with a smile and she’s a really good mum.”

Kate has previously opened up about her love of cooking - sharing that she has a tradition of always hand-making George, Charlotte and Louis’ birthday cakes, and using recipes for Mary’s own cookbooks. So to hear that she is a ‘good baker' from the pro herself is high praise indeed!

Though, Kate actually isn’t the only Mary fan in the royal family. In the Christmas special, Kate revealed that Louis is also a big fan, so much so that one of his first words was ‘Mary’.

She said, “One of Louis’ first words was Mary because right at his height are all my cooking books on the kitchen bookshelf, and children are really fascinated by faces, and your faces are all over your cooking books.”

It’s also been previously reported that when Louis was younger he would read Mary's cookbooks and ‘whoop and clap’ whenever he saw her on TV.

Bake Off fans have a soft spot for one particular contestant - so, who is Sandro?

We all have our favourite member of the Bake Off line-up, and it seems that this year one contestant has turned heads more than most. Since Bake Off first started this year, amateur baker Sandro has received attention not only for his talent in the kitchen, but also for his charm. In fact, one fan on Twitter has branded him as the "hottest man in the world", while another said "Sandro is the hottest contestant we’ve ever seen on Bake Off."

If you're a true Bake Off fan who watches every week to see who's left the tent, the you'll be pleased to hear that we've done some digging and found out everything you need to know about Sandro.

Who is Sandro from Bake Off?

Sandro is 30 years old and originally from Angola, and his full name is Nelsandro Farmhouse. According to his Bake Off profile, Sandro is "passionate about fitness" and has a background in boxing, ballet and breakdancing.

Sandro turned to baking when he was 21, after his father died, using it as a form of therapy. Now, baking is a huge part of his life, he has a YouTube channel, Sandro's Cakery, where he shares baking videos, and runs virtual baking classes for children with autism. The charity Social Ark explained that after working in a school for children with behaviour issues, "he realised that though cake decorating he could connect with the young people, helping them to open up about issues affecting them most," which inspired his cake making workshops.

Sandro has said of his work with the charity: "I am passionate about creative baking and supporting children and young people with special needs to flourish. I’m full of aspirations and really looking forward to the future, being part of Social Ark and wherever my baking journey takes me."

And it looks like Sandro has been a fan of Bake Off for a long time, as in an Instagram post he shared ahead of the most recent series he called the experience "a dream come true".

Is Sandro in a relationship?

Sandro hinted that he is in a relationship in the first episode of this year's Bake Off, paying tribute to his other half with one of his bakes.

He told presenter Matt Lucas, "When I first met my partner, every time we saw each other we'd always give a white rose so I'm making chocolate flower pots." The incredible pots put him at the front of the pack on day one, although he had to wait until week 5's Dessert Week to win Star Baker.

Sandro is yet to share anymore clues as to his relationship status.

Are Sandro and Rebs dating?

Rumours have surfaced that Sandro is dating fellow Bake Off contestant Rebs after the pair posted a series of holiday photos on social media.

In a now deleted tweet, Rebs shared a picture of herself captioned "Thanks for the shirt this morning x @thesandrosbakes." To fuel rumours further, they both liked a tweet from a fan saying, "You two are beautiful! Omg.. You would make gorgeous babies!! I had to say it!" 

However, neither have publicly commented on the rumour, while Reality Titbit claims both Sandro and Rebs have denied that they are anything more than friends.

Where does Sandro live?

Sandro lives in East London. He was born in Angola, but left the country with his mum when he was two years old, to escape the Angolan war. 

He didn't have an easy time in his youth, and difficulties at school led to him dropping out. It could well be that his own experiences are what led him to his work with children and young people.

What is Sandro's job?

Sandro works as a nanny in London. While he might have a reputation as a gym bunny, it's clear that he has his soft spots, which might just be one of the reason that Bake Off fans love him so much. 

He is passionate about promoting accessible baking for neurodivergent children, something which he has shared on his Instagram. In one post that shows him kneading biscuit dough, he says: "It’s so important incorporate different ways of exploring sensory play, baking is one way to meet sensory needs, improve motor skills, died & engagement.

"I wanted to make this video to explain how to engage with your child or young person when baking."

Video of the Week

With the start of Bake Off 2022 just around the corner, the contestants taking to the iconic tent in a bid to impress Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood this year have been revealed. 

With dozens of Bake Off contestants - and Celebrity Bake Off contestants - having battled it out over the years, a new batch of amateur bakers are set to take to our screens as they whip up epic recipes and stunning showstoppers week after week this autumn.

Great British Bake Off 2022 line-up

With The Great British Bake Off 2022 set to start on Channel 4 on September 13th at 8pm, the cast for the new season has been announced. 

With 12 contestants ready to battle it out over cakes, bread and biscuits before our eyes, here's what you need to know about The Great British Bake Off 2022 line-up.

The bakers partaking in Bake Off 2022 are Abdul, Carole, Dawn, James, Janusz, Kevin, Maisam, Maxy, Rebs, Sandro, Syabria and Will. 

Abdul

Abdul is a 29-year-old electronics engineer. He loves all things spice and is a big fan of matcha.

When he's not baking he's a keen salsa dancer and discovered his talent for whipping up tasty treats when he began baking as a graduate in order to provide his colleagues with a delicious pick-me-up. 

Carole

Carole is a 59-year-old supermarket cashier from Dorset who discovered she loved to bake when she made her eldest granddaughter's first birthday cake. 

Using YouTube to learn new skills and progress as an amateur baker, Carole spends time away from the kitchen in the garden and shares tips on being green-fingered in her very own gardening radio show called Compost Carole. 

Dawn

Dawn is an IT manager from Bedfordshire with a love for all things lemon and salted caramel flavoured. 

At 60, she is a mother-of-two, has two step-children and is a grandmother-of-four, giving her plenty of hungry mouths to try her baking creations. 

Dawn is hoping to involve some impressive designs and optical illusions in her bakes for Prue and Paul in order to bag the coveted Hollywood handshake. 

James

Glasgow-born James is a 25-year-old nuclear scientist from Cumbria who prides himself on his Scottish roots. 

Being scientifically minded, James makes sure that he focusses on the technical aspects of each bake but still loves to add a touch of autumnal joy to his creations, favouring spiced apples and caramel. 

Janusz

Janusz is a personal assistant from East Sussex who is the proud owner of a sausage dog called Nigel and describes his baking as "colourful and camp".

Born in Poland, Janusz, 34, loves to include touches of his nationality in his baking, having been taught to bake by his mother growing up. 

The avid Ru Paul's Drag Race fan watched his mother bake every Saturday as a child and continued the tradition into adulthood, moving away from Poland to the UK. 

Kevin

Kevin is a 33-year-old music teacher from Lanarkshire in Scotland. 

Along with a passion for baking, Kevin is a seriously talented musician and can play the saxophone, flute, piano and the clarinet, performing when he's not teaching or rustling up a batch of something delicious. 

Sandro

Sandro is 30-years-old and works as a nanny in London. He began baking as a way to cope with the loss of his father when he was 21. 

Having fled the Angolan war with his mum when he was a baby, Sandro is heavily inspired by his heritage when it comes to his baking, using pairings like paprika with cheese to add a touch of spice to his savoury delights and making sure plenty of his sweet bakes involve lashings of dulce de leche. 

Maisam

Maisam is the youngest baker in the tent this year at just 18-years-old. 

She is a student and works as a sales assistant in Manchester and has a keen eye for photography that she puts to use when she's not studying, working or baking. 

Maisam, who is originally from Libya, can speak four languages but is aiming to make it five by the time she turns 20. 

Maxy

Maxy is a 29-year-old architectural assistant from London who also has two daughters. 

She was born in Sweden and began baking five years ago, with celebration cakes being her speciality. 

Rebs

Rebs is a 23-year-old who was born and raised in the countryside in Northern Ireland.

Currently studying for her Masters degree, Rebs can not only bake but play the tin whistle and Irish dance. 

She grew up around baking with her mother and grandmother teaching her from an early age and she says one of her earliest memories is enjoying one of her granny's delicious lemon meringue pies. 

Syabira

Syabira is a cardiovascular research associate from London who began baking when she made a red velvet cake back in 2017. 

The 32-year-old is originally from Malaysia and loves to combine British classics with a Malaysian touch with her rendang Cornish pasties being a go-to. 

Will 

Will a 45-year-old from London who has a passion for DIY and a background in architecture.

 The former charity director has been baking since he was just two, with his mum allowing him to make mini jam tarts with the scraps of pastry from her own bakes. 

We are in the final month of summer and, though we have to say goodbye to the sunshine, that means it is nearly time to join the next series of bakers in the Great British Bake Off - so when does Bake Off 2022 start?

Much to fans' delight, In November 2021, Channel 4 announced that it had renewed Bake Off for another three years - which means there's more Celebrity Bake Off to come too.

With cakes, biscuits, bread and pastries all likely to be on the menu as they have been for previous seasons, the new Bake Off contestants for 2022 will be battling it out to impress the hard-to-please judges. But who will be judging them and when does Bake Off start? Here is all you need to know about this year's season of The Great British Bake off. 

When does Bake Off start 2022?

Channel 4 have confirmed that Bake Off will start on Tuesday 13 September at 8pm. The broadcaster confirmed the release date on Twitter, sharing a photo of the four judges who will be officiallu returning for season 13. 

According to reports by The Cinemaholic, Bake off filming officially began in April of this year and wrapped in August. This timeframe fits with the previous filming schedules of the show - which also saw a September Bake Off release date. 

Where to watch Bake Off 2022

The Great British Bake Off 2022 will air on Channel 4 in the UK and will be available afterwards on All4. It is also expected to air in the US on Netflix.

In a press release confirming the show's renewal for more season's, Ian Katz, Chief Content Officer at Channel 4, said, “We are thrilled that Channel 4 will continue to serve up Bake Off’s unique combination of warmth, humour and soggy bottoms for years to come.

“Bake Off is all about optimism, celebrating eccentricity and bringing the nation together – precisely what a publicly owned Channel 4 is here to do.”

If September seems too far off and you need your Great British Bake Off fix sooner,  you can catch all of the five Channel 4 seasons on the channel's streaming platform All4. The BBC seasons which featured Mary Berry and Sue Perkins are not available to watch on All4 but you can catch up on seasons one to five on Amazon Prime Video.

Who will be presenting Bake Off 2022?

Channel 4's confirmation that Bake Off will return in September 2022 also revealed that regular hosts Noel Fielding and Paul Hollywood are back to present another season. 

They'll be joined by judges Dame Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood, who previously confirmed their return for season 13, plus the next two seasons of The Great British Bake Off. 

Prue and Paul will again put the bakers through their paces with more Signature, Technical and Showstopper challenges, all of which are sure to cause stress for the viewers at home as seasoned bakers scream advice at their screens and novice bakers sympathise with the contestants' struggles.

When will the Bake Off 2022 contestants be announced? 

No information has been released about the contestants yet. There are expected to be the requisite 12 competitors as per the baker’s dozen, but their names have been kept tightly under wraps. 

What is known about the contestants is that they have been chosen and have already been put through their paces in the kitchen, but we will have to wait for the upcoming trailer to know exactly who they are. The trailer will likely be released in September. 

What happened to last year’s finalists?

The last season of The Great British Bake Off was won by Italian-born Giuseppe Dell’Anno, 45, from Bristol. After impressing the judges, hosts and viewers at home with his Mad Hatter’s Tea Party creation, he accepted his win saying, “There are no words, I am speechless for once. All I can think of is the reaction from my mum and dad.

“The fact is that everything I have done to deserve this comes from his heritage, it’s the best thank you note I can possibly send him. I don’t say often or lightly that I am proud of what I do, but in this case I am really proud of what I have done. It’s unbelievable!”

After his success, Giuseppe set to curating a cookery book, Giuseppe's Italian Bakes, which will be released on the 13th October this year.

2021 finalist Chigs Parmar can be regularly spotted at food festivals conducting baking walk throughs and demonstrations. For those who cannot get down to see him, his Instagram is full of recipes and tummy rumble-inducing photos of his bakes.  

The final 2021 finalists, Crystelle Pereira recently appeared on a few episodes of ITV's Lorraine, sharing a collection of fun, vibrant and exciting recipes that were full of flavours. She has also popped up on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch, Good Morning America and The Today Show to share her baking prowess. Her Instagram is also full of video recipes to cook along with at home.

Season 11 was won by then 20 year old Peter Sawkins. The young baker has since released his own baking book, Peter Bakes, and regularly shares recipes to his Instagram account for his followers to try out at home.

Video of the Week

Paul Hollywood’s iced buns are sweet, doughy and delicious.

Iced fingers are a real nostalgic childhood treat, that reminds us of tea times with grandparents and trips to the bakery. Britain’s best-loved baker and Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood shares his simple and totally satisfying iced fingers recipe that promises perfect results every time. Make and bake your basic dough, then cram full with cream and a drizzle of strawberry jam, before topping with some silky sweet icing. Filling and full of flavour, these fingers would definitely receive the Hollywood handshake of approval.

Ingredients

• 500g strong white bread flour
• 2 x 7g packets fast-action dried yeast
• 50g caster sugar
• 40g unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large free-range eggs
• 10g sea salt flakes, crushed
• 150ml lukewarm milk
• 300g icing sugar
• 200ml whipping cream
• 1 x 400g jar strawberry jam, warmed and sieved, then cooled

Method

1. Put the bread flour, yeast, caster sugar, butter, eggs, milk and salt for the dough into a large mixing bowl with 100ml water. Mix together with your hands until a dough is formed. Slowly work in 40ml water and massage the dough in the bowl for about 4 minutes.
2. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured worktop and knead well for 10 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Return to the bowl and cover with a damp tea towel. Leave to rise for 1 hour. 
3. Line two baking sheets with baking paper and set aside. Tip the dough out onto the very lightly floured worktop again and divide into 12 pieces. Roll into balls and then into ‘fingers’ about 12.5cm long.
4. Divide the fingers between the baking sheets, leaving plenty of space around and between them to allow for spreading. Leave to rise, uncovered, for about 40 minutes or until doubled in size. Towards the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F/gas 7. Bake the fingers for about 10 minutes. Leave to cool on a wire rack.
5. For the icing, sift the icing sugar into a bowl. Gradually stir in 42ml cold water to make a thick paste. When the fingers have completely cooled, split them open lengthways, not cutting all the way through. Dip one side of each finger into the icing and smooth it with your finger. Leave to set on a wire rack.
6. Lightly whip the cream until thick and place in the piping bag. Pipe a generous line of whipped cream into each finger. Spoon the strawberry jam into a small plastic bag and snip off one corner. Pipe a delicate line of jam onto the cream in each finger.

Tips for making Paul Hollywood's iced fingers:

Is an iced bun normal bread?

Pretty much, though the dough can be enriched (as it is here) with sugar, butter and eggs. The dough is essentially a bread dough and has to be left to rise and prove in the same way.

How can I make sure all my iced buns are even?

Professional bakers solve this dilemma by weighing the divided portions of dough to ensure they are all about the same size. Each one should be about 70g for full size fingers, or about 18 x 45g portions for smaller buns. Use a ruler to ensure they are all the same length.

Why have my buns not risen?

Yeast can be a temperamental ingredient to work with so you have to treat it well. First check the use by date - old yeast will usually let you down. Make sure the milk you add is warm but not too hot otherwise you can kill the yeast. When you leave the dough to prove it should be in a warm place, not on a cold windowsill, for instance. And it's vital you are accurate with amounts for all the other ingredients - including flour: do not dust work surfaces with too much flour as it will get incorporated into the dough and could affect it.

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• Iced buns
• Paul Hollywood’s Victoria Sponge
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Mary Berry’s strawberry cake recipe is a delicious dessert, ideal for any summer evening. 

This is not a traditional cake with sponge layers - it's a dacquiose: a cake made with tiers of hazelnut meringue alternated with chocolate buttercream. The result is a beautifully gooey texture, with the classic crunch and chewiness of a meringue. Between the meringue tiers there's a layer of chocolate buttercream, which you can either buy in a pot or make your own (see the tip, below). This is a brilliant summer dessert to make when strawberries are in season and at their sweetest and most flavourful. Ideally you need to make this on the day you're going to eat it and keep it in the fridge until you serve it. Any longer and the meringue layers can start to disintegrate, and the cream may sag.

Ingredients

• 60g slivered almonds
• 6 egg whites
• 225g (8oz) caster sugar
• 600g (1¼lb) strawberries
• Chocolate butter cream (see tip below)
• 450ml (¾pt) double or whipping cream

Method

1. In a frying pan over a medium heat, toast the almonds until golden, stirring frequently. Then allow to cool. In a food processor or a blender, blend almonds until finely ground. Set aside.
2. Line 2 large baking sheets with baking parchment or foil. Using 20-cm/8-inch round plate or cake tin as a guide, mark 2 circles on each baking sheet.
3. Preheat oven to 140°C (275°F / gas mark 1). In a large bowl, with the electric mixer on full speed, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually sprinkle in the sugar, 1tbsp at a time, beating well at each addition until whites stand in soft, glossy peaks.
4. In the meringue mixture, using a wire whisk or rubber spatula, carefully fold the ground, toasted almonds.
5. Spoon one quarter of the mixture inside each circle on baking parchment or foil; with palette knife, evenly spread meringue to cover entire circle.
6. Place baking sheets with meringue on two oven racks and bake for 30 mins. Switch baking sheets between racks so the meringue browns evenly: bake for 30 mins longer or until golden.
7. Cool meringues on baking sheets on wire racks for 10 mins. Using a fish slice, loosen the meringues from the baking sheets and transfer to the wire racks. Cool completely.
8. Hull and thinly slice 150g (5oz) strawberries. If you're making your own buttercream (see tip) prepare it now.
9. Place 1 meringue layer on a serving platter and using a palette knife, spread with one third of the butter cream. Top with one third of the sliced strawberries. Make 2 more layers and top with the last meringue layer.
10. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the double or whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Spoon about one third of the cream into a piping bag with large star tube and set aside.
11. Spread the remaining whipped cream on the top and side of the gateau. Decorate the top edge with the cream from the piping bag and use a four-pronged fork to make vertical line around the side of the cake.
12. Chill the dacquoise in the fridge for 4 hrs to soften the meringue layers slightly, making it easier to cut.
13. Cut 16 slices from the remaining strawberries and press into the cream on the side of the cake. Top the cake with the remaining strawberries, hulled and cut in half. 

Tips for making Mary Berry’s strawberry cake:

Make sure to preheat the oven before you begin making the gâteau to give it enough time to heat up. This will make sure the strawberry cake cooks properly in the oven. 

How can I make my own buttercream for this cake?

Chocolate buttercream is available in the baking aisles of supermarkets. However, if you prefer to make your own, melt 100g cooking chocolate in a microwave and leave to sit for 5 minutes, stirring twice. Cream 200g butter with 400g icing sugar a 5 tbsp cocoa powder. Add in the melted chocolate and beat until smooth. Add in a splash of milk if you need to loosen it a bit.

How long can your store Mary Berry’s strawberry cake?

Because the cake has no gluten or wheat in it, it stores really well. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 10 days. It also freezes brilliantly, for up to 6 months. Simply defrost before serving.

You might also like...

• Mary Berry’s lemon drizzle cake
• Mary Berry's Victoria sponge
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Edd Kimber's warm apple and plum pudding is a real treat when you want something as comforting as a crumble but a little different.

This pudding is something a little different. Rather than a base of stewed apples with a crumble or pastry topping, the fruit is mixed in with the batter. The result is a bit like a sponge cake, but shot through with delicious, juicy fruit. It comes with a homemade caramel sauce which is amazing draped over the pudding. You can serve cream alongside as well if you like (the two sauces will mix together in a decadent mess). This pudding serves 6 and takes only just over an hour to make, including 35 minutes baking in the oven, during which time you can make the sauce.

Ingredients

For the pudding:

• 115g unsalted butter, very soft
• 175g golden caster sugar
• 1 medium free-range egg, beaten
• 150g plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp grated nutmeg
• 100g pecans, finely chopped
• 4 medium tart eating apples, eg. Granny Smith, peeled, cored, cut into 1cm-pieces
• 3 plums, halved, stoned and cut into 1cm-pieces
• 2 tsp chopped glacé ginger

For the caramel sauce:

• 200g caster sugar
• 225ml whipping cream, at room temperature
• 20g unsalted butter
• 1-2 tbsp rum, to taste
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method

1. Heat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4. Grease a 22cm springform tin with butter and line the base with greaseproof paper.
2. Put the butter into a mixing bowl or the bowl of a large food mixer. Beat with an electric whisk or mixer until creamy, then add the sugar. Beat until light and fluffy, then gradually add the egg, beating well after each addition. 
3. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg into the bowl and fold in. When thoroughly combined, add the prepared nuts, apples and plums and the chopped ginger to the bowl and mix in.
4. Spoon the pudding mixture into the prepared tin and spread evenly. Bake in the oven for 30 to 40 mins, until the top is golden brown and the sponge springs back when lightly pressed in the centre. Remove the tin from the oven, run a round-bladed knife around the inside to loosen the sponge, and unmould. Serve on a warmed serving plate.
5. While the sponge is baking, make the sauce. Put the sugar into a heavy-based medium pan and set over a low to medium heat. Watch carefully, and as soon as the sugar starts to melt, use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently draw the melted edges into the centre so that all the sugar melts and turns an even dark caramel. At that point, remove the pan from the heat, cover your hand and pour in half the cream, stirring with a wooden spoon – take care the mixture doesn’t burn you, as it will bubble up furiously and splatter.
6. Once the bubbling has subsided, stir in the rest of the cream, then return the pan to the heat. Stir until the sauce is smooth and any lumps have melted. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter, rum and vanilla. Serve warm, with the warm sponge.

Top tip for making Edd Kimber's warm apple and plum pudding

You can cheat the caramel sauce if you prefer and just buy it in a jar - it will still taste delicious.

You might also like...

• Apple pie recipe
• Apple crumble recipe
• Plum crumble

Mary Berry's chocolate roulade is easier to bake than you might think and is perfect for preparing ahead. 

If you’ve made Mary Berry’s roulade before but fancy an indulgent twist this chocolate recipe is perfect. It’s similar to our chocolate Swiss roll but uses melted plain chocolate instead of cocoa powder. This recipe has a thick double cream filling and is delicious on its own or served with fresh berries. 

Ingredients

• 175g (6 oz) plain chocolate, broken into pieces
• 175g (6 oz) caster sugar
• 6 eggs, separated
• 2 level tbsp cocoa, sieved
• 300ml (10 fl oz) double cream
• Icing sugar

Method 

1. Lightly grease a 33 x 23 cm (13 x 9 inch) Swiss roll tin and line with non-stick baking parchment, pushing it into the corners. Heat the oven to 180C (160C fan, Gas 4).
2. Melt the chocolate slowly in a bowl over a pan of hot water. Allow to cool slightly.
3. Measure the sugar and egg yolks into a bowl and whisk with an electric whisk on a high speed until light and creamy. Add the cooled chocolate and stir until evenly blended.
4. Whisk the egg whites in a large mixing bowl until stiff but not dry. Stir a large spoonful of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture, mix gently and then fold in the remaining egg whites, then the cocoa. Turn into the prepared tin and gently level the surface. Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 20 minutes until just firm to the touch.
5. Remove the cake from the oven, leave in the tin and place a cooling rack over the top of the cake. Place a clean damp tea towel on top of the rack, and leave for several hours or overnight in a cool place, don't worry it will sink slightly. (If the tea towel dries out, simply re-dampen it).
6. Whip the cream until it just holds its shape. Dust a large piece of non-stick baking parchment with icing sugar. Turn the roulade out onto the paper and peel off the lining paper. Spread with the whipped cream and roll up like a Swiss roll, starting with one of the short edges, roll tightly to start with and use the paper to help. Don't worry if it cracks - that's quite normal and part of its charm! Dust with a little extra icing sugar then serve.

Top tips for making Mary Berry's chocolate roulade recipe

If you’d like a neater finish, trim the edges of the sponge before filling and rolling the roulade. You can also add fresh or frozen raspberries to the filling if you like. 

You might also like our chocolate cake recipe of this lemon drizzle cake for something zesty. These flapjacks and fairy cakes are a nice afternoon treat but can also be packaged up as gifts for friends and family. 

It takes just five ingredients to make Mary Berry's chocolate brownies with chocolate ganache sauce. 

The ganache sauce is made using Bourneville chocolate and double cream. Both make a silky smooth sauce that gives the brownies a rich, indulgent taste - just like our classic chocolate brownies recipe. You can make around 25-30 squares using this recipe, depending on how you cut. Ideal for sharing with friends, and family or whipping up for a bake sale. 

Ingredients

• 300g butter, cubed
• 300g Bourneville chocolate, broken into pieces
• 300g light muscovado sugar 
• 4 large eggs
• 100g self-raising flour

For the ganache sauce:

• 150g Bourneville chocolate, broken into pieces
• 200ml pouring double cream

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 190°c/Fan 170°c/Gas 5. Grease and line a traybake tin or a small roasting tin about 30x23 (12x9 in) with foil or parchment paper.
2. Measure the butter and chocolate into a bowl. Place over a pan of simmering water and gently melt together until smooth. Set aside.
3. Whisk together the sugar and eggs until blended. Pour in the melted butter and chocolate mixture and stir until smooth. Sieve in the flour and mix well. Pour into lined tin.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until a light crust has formed on the top and the middle is set.
5. Meanwhile, to make the ganache sauce, measure the chocolate and cream into a bowl and sit over a pan of gently simmering water and stir until melted.
6. Cut the cake into squares and pour the ganache sauce over the top to serve.

Top tips for making Mary Berry's chocolate brownie recipe

The squares mix and the ganache sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead and both freeze well up to 3 months.

If you want to try something a little bit different you could make a white chocolate drizzle to pour over the top along with the ganache sauce. 

To do this, melt 150g of white chocolate on low heat in the microwave stirring occasionally. Leave it to cool slightly and then drizzle over the top of the brownies using a teaspoon at a time.

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Mary Berry's chocolate cake recipe

Mary Berry's lemon drizzle cake

Mary Berry's flapjack recipe

It takes just 20 minutes to whip up a batch of these almond cupcakes by the baking queen, Mary Berry. 

Each cupcake is studded with sultanas, and dried apricot pieces, and topped with crunchy flaked almonds. The combination of sweet fruity and nutty, earthy almonds work wonderfully together to make a tasty fairy cake-style cupcakes recipe. 

Ingredients

For the almond cupcakes:

• 1½ large eggs
• 87.5g (3oz) self-raising flour
• 87.5g (3oz)caster sugar
• 87.5g (3oz) softened butter
• 3/4 level tsp baking powder
• 50g (2oz) sultanas
• 50g (2oz) dried apricots, snipped into small pieces
• 25g (1oz) ground almonds
• A flew flaked almonds, for the topping

You will also need:

• 12-hole bun tin, lined with paper cases

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/gas mark 4. Beat together the eggs, flour, caster sugar, butter and baking powder until smooth, in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add the sultanas, apricots and ground almonds to the cake mix and stir until well mixed.
3. Turn into the prepared paper cases and sprinkle with the flaked almonds.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 mins, or until golden brown and springy to the touch.

Top tips for making Mary Berry's almond cupcakes

The almond buns will keep for 3 days and will freeze well for up to 2 months, but uniced.

You might also like...

Mary Berry's fairy cakes recipe

Mary Berry's lemon drizzle cake

Mary Berry's flapjack recipe

This soft, moist lemon drizzle cake recipe is by baking legend Mary Berry. Infused with lemon zest and drizzled with a zingy lemon juice icing.

Using store cupboard ingredients to make this delicious lemon drizzle cake is an easy way to impress your friends and family. It takes 20 minutes to prepare and uses Mary’s classic ‘all-in-one method’. This means all of the ingredients are mixed together at the same time, saving you time and washing up as you can weigh the ingredients straight into the same bowl. 

If this is not what you're looking for we've got a great range of other lemon cakes to choose from too including our easy-to-make lemon pound cake, mouthwatering lemon cupcakes, and lemon cake with poppy seeds.

Ingredients

• 175g caster sugar
• 175g self-raising flour
• 175g softened butter
• 3 eggs, beaten
• Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
• ¾ level tsp baking powder

For the lemon drizzle topping:

• 100g granulated sugar
• Juice of 1 lemon

Method

1. Heat the oven to 180C (160C fan, Gas 4). Grease and line a loaf tin with enough baking paper to leave a small overhang. This will make it easier to lift the cake out.
2. In a large bowl add the sugar, flour, butter, eggs, lemon zest and baking powder. Beat together with an electric whisk until smooth.
3. Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake tin and promptly place it on the middle shelf of the oven. Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown, shrinking away from the sides of the tin and springy to touch.
4. Meanwhile, make the lemon drizzle topping. Mix together the sugar and lemon juice. When the cake is out of the oven and still warm, carefully spoon over the drizzle mixture.
5. Once the cake is cool, lift it out of the tin and slice.

Watch how to make Mary Berry's lemon drizzle cake recipe

Top tips for making Mary Berry's lemon drizzle cake

For the best lemon sponge cake, Mary recommends cooking the cake in the middle of the oven at 180C. She explains: "To avoid cakes cracking, don’t bake them too high in the oven. If you do, the crust forms too soon and cracks as the cake continues to rise." Personally, we think the cracks on a cake can look quite attractive and they act as delicious craters for the icing to pool in. The cake will still taste fantastic even if you don’t achieve perfect results visually. 

This lemon drizzle loaf will be kept in an airtight container or cake tin at room temperature for three days and will freeze well for up to two months unsliced and wrapped tightly in clingfilm. 

So, if you want to understand why two sugar varieties are needed for this recipe or how to stop your cake from sinking, read our top tips below. 

If you like this recipe, browse more of our favourite Mary Berry recipes. Flapjacks and fairy cakes are great recipes to make with kids and Mary Berry's chocolate cake recipe makes an indulgent afternoon treat to share with friends or family. 

Mary Berry's chocolate cake recipe serves six people and takes under an hour to make. 

This chocolate cake recipe is made in one large mixing bowl for a quick and easy method with minimal washing up. The sponges are sandwiched together with apricot jam and a rich chocolate ganache but fresh whipped cream would work well too. 

Ingredients

• 3 large eggs
• 175g (6 oz) self-raising flour
• 175g (6 oz) caster sugar
• 175g (6 oz) softened butter
• 1½ level tsp baking powder
• 40g (1½ oz) cocoa powder
• 4 tbsp boiling water
• 4 tbsp apricot jam

For the chocolate icing:

• 150ml (5fl oz) double cream
• 150g (5oz) plain chocolate, broken into pieces
• A little icing sugar, to serve

Special bakeware / equipment

• 2 x 17cm (7 in) deep sandwich tins, greased and lined with non-stick baking paper
• Electric whisk

Method

1. Heat the oven to 180C (160C fan, Gas 4). Put the eggs, flour, caster sugar, butter, and baking powder in a large bowl and beat until smooth.
2. In a small bowl, mix the cocoa powder with the boiling water a little at a time to make a stiff paste. Add to the cake mixture and beat until combined.
3. Divide the mixture between two 17cm sandwich tins which are greased and lined with a circle of baking paper.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until shrinking away from the sides of the tin and springy to the touch.
5. Leave to cool in the tin, then turn on to a wire rack to become completely cold before icing.
6. To make the icing: measure the cream and chocolate into a bowl and carefully melt over a pan of hot water over a low heat, or gently in the microwave for 1 min (600w microwave). Stir until melted, then set aside to cool and thicken.
7. To assemble the cake, spread half the jam over one of the sponges. Top with half the ganache then put the second sponge on top. Repeat with the remaining apricot jam and chocolate ganache. Dust with icing sugar, if using.

Watch how to make Mary Berry's chocolate cake recipe

Top tips for making Mary Berry's chocolate cake

If the sponge of your cake cracks, it could be because you've been putting them on the wrong shelf in your oven. Thankfully Mary Berry has some advice on how to prevent this from happening. She told us: 'To avoid cakes cracking don’t bake them too high in the oven. If you do the crust forms too soon and cracks as the cake continue to rise.' 

For more chocolate cake tips, continue reading below. 

Use this ganache recipe to cover the cake instead or you could try our chocolate buttercream icing. If you want another Mary Berry classic, you need to try this lemon drizzle cake.

Fans of the popular BBC One show are keen to know where The Great British Sewing Bee is filmed.

Be it the Great British Bake Off, beloved BBC programme The Repair Shop, or it's spin-off show The Speedshop - we Brits love a show that puts people's skills and talents to the test. And The Great British Sewing Bee is another creative offering that ticks the box and has earnt a large audience following since it first aired in 2013.

In May 2023 the popular show returned to screens for its ninth season, with new episodes on BBC One each week. And as viewers watch the contestants battle for the title of best amateur sewer, many also want to know where The Great British Sewing Bee is filmed. We share all the need-to-know information to accompany your viewing.

Where is The Great British Sewing Bee filmed?

The Great British Sewing Bee is filmed in Sunny Bank Mills, a famous woollen mill located just outside of Leeds. The show has been filmed here since its eighth season, swapping its former London filming location for the popular Yorkshire attraction.

The mill was founded in 1829 and is located on the outskirts of the city. The site certainly makes sense to be the filming location of The Great British Sewing Bee given its history. Sunny Bank Mills was once one of the world's most important fine worsted mills - with worsted being a high-quality type of wool yarn used for fabric and dress-making.

The Great British Sewing Bee judge Patrick Grant has noted that the filming location is a clever tribute: "Leeds is at the heart of the wool and textile industry so it feels appropriate to film in a great big spinning mill," he said.

Nicola Lee, founder of the School of Sew, which is based at Sunny Bank Mills, confirmed the Sewing Bee's new 2022 filming location in an interview with the Yorkshire Evening Post. "It’s great it’s come up to Yorkshire - for any programme, not just the Sewing Bee," she said. "We found out the week before we reopened and thought it was too good to be true."

"The Mill needs showing off, it’s such a lovely building and a lovely place to work," she added. "Historically, we do really well when the Sewing Bee is on. And it's such a coincidence that it's now being filmed here. We've even got a red brick wall like they have on the show!"

Fans of the show are able to visit Sunny Bank Mills in real-life. A gallery, shop and tearoom can be explored on the site which is open 6 days a week (closed Mondays). Keen sewers can also sign up for classes at School of Sew and live out their best Great British Sewing Bee dreams.

Where was The Great British Sewing Bee filmed before 2022?

The Great British Sewing Bee used to be filmed at The Chainstore on Trinity Buoy, London - located off the River Thames and near the O2 Arena. Season 7 of the show was the last instalment to be filmed here before moving to the new Leeds location.

Filming locations for The Great British Sewing Bee have changed over the years. In 2020, the sixth series was shot at a studio based in Bermondsey - which is historically considered the home of London's textiles. Meanwhile, the 2019 series was recorded on Tanner Street, near London's famous Tower Bridge. This is perhaps now best known as the filming location for fellow BBC show Dragon's Den.

How long does it take to film The Great British Sewing Bee?

Contestants are asked to commit to 20 days of filming for the show - which takes place over a 6-8 week period. Filming usually takes place between August and November - according to the application process for The Great British Sewing Bee.

Series 9 contestants on The Great British Sewing Bee found out their applications were successful in July 2022. If you're interested in applying for a future series, you need to be aged 16 or over and consider yourself an "amateur sewer". This means no NVQ or other equivalent sewing-related qualifications. 

You also can't have previously worked full-time as a "dressmaker, sample machinist, pattern cutter, tailor or seamstress at any time during the last 15 years." Be sure to read up on all the Sewing Bee rules before sending off your application.

Who is The Great British Sewing Bee presenter?

Sara Pascoe joined as the new presenter of The Great British Sewing Bee for season 8, replacing former host and comedian Joe Lycett. The actress was announced as the new host on September 16, 2021. 

Sara has previously said of her time on the show, "It’s always lots of fun. We become very attached to the sewers. We essentially get to go round and have a chat with all our friends, then have a cup of tea and chat with each other. It’s a lovely job."

Sara also coincidentally appeared as a contestant on the 2020 Christmas celebrity special of the show, so she was already familiar with the format and crew. Meanwhile, Saville Row's Patrick Grant and Esme Young of Central Saint Martins both returned as judges this year.

Sara has proved to be a hit with viewers, with many taking to Twitter to critique her presenting performance.

One user wrote: "@sarapascoe is a magnificent addition - difficult to follow @joelycett but she’s great," wrote one user. Whilst another tweeted: "Well done #SaraPascoe. I thought @joelycett was going to be a hard act to follow but she's brilliant."

Joe Lycett presented the show's fifth, sixth and seventh series. He took over as host from Claudia Winkleman who headed up the first four seasons of the popular show.

Who are the judges on The Great British Sewing Bee?

Patrick Grant and Esme Young are the judges on The Great British Sewing Bee. Esme joined the show in 2016, while Patrick has been a judge since the show first aired in 2013.

Esme Young is a designer and has made costumes for major films such as Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Trainspotting and Bridget Jones’s Diary. She is also a tutor at Central Saint Martins art school and opened the shop Swanky Modes in Camden, London, in the 1970s. She has dressed stars including Grace Jones, Siouxsie Sioux and Cher.

Patrick is a designer and has been the creative director of bespoke tailors Norton & Sons of Savile Row and its subsidiary E Tautz since 2005. He won Menswear Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2010 and is a regular on television and radio as a commentator on the British fashion, clothing and textile industries.

You can catch up on all episodes of The Great British Sewing Bee now via BBC iPlayer.

We've got behind-the-scenes details on plenty more of the BBC's most popular TV shows, from where Future Food Stars is filmed and where Beyond Paradise is filmed, to where Better and Guilt are filmed too.

If you're wondering who pulled out of Bake Off after watching Matt Lucas step up to the plate for Stand Up To Cancer then you’re probably not alone.

There’s nothing quite like a return to the tent where Great British Bake Off was filmed to have you dreaming of delicious treats and gasping at kitchen dramas. And whilst 2021’s winning Great British Bake Off contestant was only crowned a few months ago, the main series is not the only show in the growing Bake Off franchise. Alongside Bake Off: The Professionals and Junior Bake Off, there’s also The Great Celebrity Bake Off.

This special spin-off raises money for Stand Up To Cancer and each episode features some of the world’s best-loved celebrities. But the appearance of GBBO host Matt Lucas as a contestant on the latest instalment has got viewers all wondering the same thing…   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bn0aKkZzi4

Who pulled out of Bake Off?

Even prior to the latest Bake Off for SUTC episode reports suggested that comedian Matt Lucas would be stepping in to take the place of someone who pulled out of Bake Off. The star is usually the host of the main GBBO show, having joined existing host Noel Fielding from 2020.

And whilst Matt pulled off a pretty impressive performance throughout the show, fans took to Twitter to pose an all-important question about his Bake Off appearance. 

“Did we find out who the real baker that pulled out was?” one person asked, intrigued.

Another echoed this, seemingly also more than a little curious about who pulled out of Bake Off as they commented, “Who didn’t show up so @RealMattLucas had to bake on @BritishBakeOff #StandUpToCancer”. 

“Who dropped out???” someone else enquired simply.

It also wasn’t long before people took to the comments to reveal the identity of the celebrity believed to have pulled out of Bake Off.

“I think Martine McCutcheon had to pull out last minute due to illness xx”, one person suggested as others simply wrote the actor’s name.

Despite the speculation it’s sadly not known for sure who pulled out, with GBBO having not yet confirmed if the rumours are true. However, fellow contestant and singer Example seemed to support the theory that it was Martine McCutcheon during a recent appearance on ITV daytime show, Lorraine. 

As reported by OK!, he claimed to presenter Ranvir Singh, “I was told it was me, Annie Mac, Ed Gamble and Martine McCutcheon and I got there and Martine McCutcheon wasn’t there.”

“So I’m pretty sure that Matt Lucas jumped in at the last minute as obviously he was meant to be one of the presenters,” he added.

Despite reportedly not being part of the original line-up, when push came to shove Matt was observed putting his all into his signature, technical and showstopper bakes. Sadly for the comedian and presenter things didn’t *quite* go to plan.

Especially when it came to his final layered cake featuring a rather unusual model of himself crafted from fondant icing...

But despite this disaster, his performance certainly entertained Bake Off fans and supported an incredibly important cause!

This irresistible pancake pudding combines soft baked pears in a rich, sweet caramel sauce with a puffed up pancake batter. 

We love it because it's a quick and really impressive pudding to pull together. In fact, it's perfect for serving up after a Sunday roast. It's almost like a sponge cake. This recipe was originally created by Ruth Clemens, a finalist from The Great British Bake Off. However, although you are making your own pear-infused caramel sauce, you don't need any special cooking skills or equipment. If you're after a more classic way to serve up your caramel pears, you can simply use as a topping for this classic pancake recipe.

Ingredients

• 3-4 Conference pears
• 75g butter
• 100g light brown muscovado sugar
• 1 star anise

For the  pancakes:

• 100g plain flour
• Pinch of salt
• 1 medium egg
• 300ml whole milk

You will also need:

• 20cm (8") flan dish

Method

1. Preheat oven to 220°C/425°F/Gas 7. Peel, core and quarter the pears.
2. In a large pan heat the butter and sugar until melted. Add the quartered pears and star anise to the pan and simmer over a low heat for 5 minutes, turning the pears in the sauce occasionally. Remove from the heat and transfer the pears and caramel sauce to a flan dish. Discard the star anise.
3. To prepare the batter, place the flour and salt in a bowl. Beat the egg lightly with a fork, make a well in the centre of the dry mixture and add to the bowl with a little of the milk. Stir well to combine adding milk gradually until all of the flour is worked in. Beat well adding the remaining milk. The batter should be the consistency of single cream.
4. Pour the batter over the pears and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until the middle is set and the top is golden. Serve warm.

Top tips for making pancake pudding

The star anise infuses a lovely spiciness into the pears as they cook, but don't forget to remove it before you bake the pudding. They are sharp and hard so you don't want your guests accidentally biting into one.

You can serve this with cream, ice cream or, our favourite, custard. If you have time you could even make your own with this custard recipe.

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A favourite at Chinese restaurants, Fortune cookies are surprisingly easy to recreate at home.

The mixture for our Fortune cookie recipe is very similar to a French tuiles biscuit base, and is made up of butter, sugar, eggs and flour, as well as a little vanilla flavouring. These wafer-thin biscuits cool down fast, so the trick to shaping them is to work fast (while minding your fingers don’t get burnt). Fortune cookies make for a really fun treat at New Years or a dinner party to impress friends and family with. And the best bit about making your own is you can add your own personalised fortunes in.

Ingredients

• 2 free range egg whites
• 110g caster sugar
• 55g plain flour, sifted
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 65g butter, melted and cooled
• small strips of paper with ‘fortunes’ written on them

Method

1. To make the fortune cookies, heat your oven to 190C and line two large baking trays with parchment. Whisk the egg whites and sugar in a bowl with a fork or electric whisk, until fluffy. Add the flour and vanilla and stir again with a fork, then add the butter and mix well.
2. Using a tbsp, place a small amount of mixture onto the baking sheet and spread it out very thinly with the back of the spoon into a circle. Repeat the process to make circles about 5 inches apart.
3. Bake in the top third of the oven for 6-8 minutes until the fortune cookies are golden and smell biscuity. Remove from the oven and peel off the baking sheet while still warm.
4. To shape your fortune cookies you have to work quickly, as they will cool and snap after just a few seconds. Fold each circle in half over a piece of fortune paper, without flattening the creased side fully. Pinch your half-moon shaped biscuit at each of its two corners and quickly bend the creased side over the rim of a glass to get the middle dent and classic fortune cookie shape.

Top tips for making Fortune cookies:

Make these Fortune cookies gluten-free by swapping the plain flour in this recipe for alternatives like almond flour, buckwheat flour and brown rice flour. Similarly, you can swap out the egg whites in the dough with aquafaba instead for a vegan version of these cookies. Aquafaba is the juices in a tin of chickpeas which you whisk like you would the egg whites - until fluffy and white like egg when making meringues. You'll need 6 tbsp of aquafaba for this recipe - with 3 tbsp of aquafaba the equivalent of 1 egg.

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Mary Berry’s Christmas cake is easy to make and serves at least 12 people. Decorate with marzipan and icing or keep it plain and simple with some fruit and nuts on top. 

If you like Mary Berry’s fruit cake but want something iced, this is the recipe for you. Mary uses the classic combination of marzipan and royal icing to decorate her Christmas cake but you could use readymade fondant icing if you prefer and can omit the marzipan if you don’t like the flavour.

Ingredients

• 175g (6oz) raisins
• 350g (12oz) glacé cherries, rinsed, thoroughly dried and quartered
• 500g (1lb 2oz) currants
• 350g (12oz) sultanas
• 150ml (¼ pint) sherry, plus extra for feeding
• Finely grated zest of 2 oranges
• 250g (9oz) butter, softened
• 250g (9oz) light muscovado sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 tbsp black treacle
• 75g (3oz) blanched almonds, chopped
• 75g (3oz) self-raising flour
• 175g (6oz) plain flour
• 1½ tsp mixed spice

To decorate:

• 3 tbsp apricot jam, sieved and warmed
• 600g shop-bought marzipan
• 600g royal icing cover 23cm/9in cake
• Icing sugar, for dusting (optional)

Method

1. Put the raisins, cherries, currants and sultanas into a non-metallic container, pour over the sherry and stir in the orange zest. Cover with a lid, and leave to soak for 3 days, stirring daily. When your fruit is sufficiently soaked and you’re ready to bake the cake, grease and line a 23cm (9in) deep round tin with a double layer of greased greaseproof paper.
2. Heat the oven to 140C (120C fan, Gas 1).
3. Put the butter, sugar, eggs, treacle and almonds into a very large bowl and beat well. Add the flours and mixed spice and mix thoroughly until blended. Stir in the soaked fruit. Spoon into the prepared cake tin and level the surface with the back of a spoon.
4. Bake in the centre of the oven for 4-4½ hours or until the cake feels firm to the touch and is a rich golden brown. Check after 2 hours, and, if the cake is a perfect colour, cover with foil. A skewer inserted into the centre of the cake should come out clean. Leave the cake to cool in the tin.
5. When cool, pierce the cake at intervals with a fine skewer and feed with a little extra sherry. Wrap the completely cold cake in a double layer of greaseproof paper and again in foil and store in a cool place for up to 3 months, feeding at intervals with more sherry. Don't remove the lining paper when storing as this helps to keep the cake moist.
6. When you’re ready to decorate the cake, warm the apricot jam in a small saucepan or briefly in the microwave. Roll the marzipan to a thin circle that is bigger than your cake and will allow the sides to be covered. Alternatively, some people prefer a thicker disc of marzipan that sits on top of the cake, in this instance roll it to approximately 23cm diameter.
7. Brush the cake all over with the warm jam then cover with the marzipan and use a cake smoother to make the paste flush with the cake.
8. Spread the cake with royal icing using a small palette knife. You can opt for a completely smooth texture, or use the palette knife to flick the icing upwards and create peaks.
9. Alternatively, you can use the back of a spoon to create texture by pushing it against the icing and pulling away from the cake. Leave to set, then dust with icing sugar and top with your chosen cake topper or decoration.

Top tips for making Mary Berry’s Christmas cake recipe

Please note, that nutritional info is per person based on this cake being divided by 15 people equally. The nutritional values also include the icing, marzipan, and jam used to decorate this Christmas cake.

You might also like Mary Berry’s Christmas pudding or you could try our easy Christmas cake recipe. We have plenty of Christmas cake decorations for you to browse as well as a guide on how to bake your Christmas cake in an air fryer.

Former Great British Bake Off judge and baking icon Mary Berry has opened up about her time in hospital after suffering a serious injury at home. 

Just last week Mary Berry was given the ultimate honour from Prince Charles as she officially became a Dame Commander of the British Empire. Often considered a national treasure, Mary’s decades of experience and hard work in the cooking industry were celebrated with this significant accolade. Having started her food career as Cookery Editor of Housewife Magazine in the 1960s, Mary Berry’s recipes continue to inspire cooks. 

Meanwhile, her broadcasting career has seen her judge on everything from The Great British Bake Off to Britain’s Best Cook. But whilst last week’s Damehood presentation was a source of great excitement for Mary, it seems that life has been more than a little challenging recently. 

As reported by Hello!, Dame Mary explained to the Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine that she’d previously broken her hip after tripping over some bricks whilst picking sweet peas in her garden. After her husband of 55 years Paul was unable to hear her cries for help as he watched the cricket, it was her son-in-law Dan who came to the rescue and called an ambulance. 

She told the publication, “He saw me and said, 'I’ll get an ambulance.' I said, 'Oh, no, I’m fine,' but he overruled me.” 

But though Dan called straight away, due to the timing of Mary’s accident on a busy Sunday afternoon, the GBBO star revealed it took almost four hours for the ambulance to arrive, though she reflected upon how this was “quite right”.

She said, "He rang for the ambulance and they said, 'We’re very, very busy.' It was Sunday afternoon and there were lots of football injuries and whatever. We waited for three-and-a-half hours, until 6pm, and quite right too! I was perfectly happy. I quite understood that they were busy and Dan was caring for me. He kept me chatting.” 

Dame Mary Berry went on to be assessed at the Royal Berkshire hospital in Reading, where it was discovered that her hip was broken and “one foot was turning out”. Moving to treat Mary as soon as possible, she underwent surgery the next day and her hip was repaired rather than replaced. 

Confirming that she had been healing ever since, in a wonderfully heartfelt gesture typical of the beloved culinary star, Mary remarked upon how kind the medical staff were, saying, “Oh, they were all lovely!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAneT6XM8_s

Mary Berry’s health revelation comes as she previously spoke out about having polio as a child and urged people to take up the offer of a Covid-19 vaccine.

According to the BBC, she told the Radio Times, "If you're in a hospital like I was, with people in callipers, people in pain... I think everyone should take the vaccine. I had polio, but now almost the whole world is vaccinated against it.”

Mary went on to say that “apart from looking "a bit funny" when rolling pastry with her "funny left hand", she had been left with "no other difficulties whatsoever" afterwards. 

"I'm not as good at sport as I was, but I was let off very lightly," the cookery writer declared.

Bake Off viewers got a little distracted by Prue Leith's outfit for pastry week and they all spotted the same hilarious thing.

As judge of the Channel 4 show, Prue is used to giving critiques about the contestant's bakes but this week she found herself on the receiving end of some outfit judging.

Last week she caused outrage with her 'toxic' calorie comments, and this week she's being joked about.

Ahead of someone being booted off Bake Off, Prue and Paul Hollywood always visit the individual baking stations throughout the tasks to chat to Bake Off contestants about what they are making, providing some of the best moments of the show.

This week, Prue caused a bit of a stir among viewers at home this week and they couldn't help but hilariously liken her outfit - a multi-coloured cardigan - to the coat of a famous West End musical.

One fan tweeted, 'When you've got to judge Bake Off at 13:00 but a matinee performance of Joseph and His Amazing technicolour Dreamcoat at 14:00 #gbbo #BakeOff.'

And she wasn't the only viewer to notice her canny look.

A second fan added, 'Hats off to Prue Leith for judging #GBBO whilst also making her West End debut in Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. #BakeOff #GreatBritishBakeOff.'

A third agreed, and tweeted, 'Prue Leith auditioning for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat #BakeOff.'

To which a fan joked, 'Any Butter Cream will do.'

It's not the first time Bake Off's Prue Leith has made viewers crack up in recent episodes. Last night she left fans laughing with a rather naughty innuendo when speaking about filling pastry with cream.

"Quite often I need two holes so that I can squirt," she said, while judging crouxnuts, prompting Paul to raise and eyebrow and sparking an epic response on social media.

'Nearly choked on my coffee. Don't think Prue even realised wat she said. Paul's face,' one fan wrote moments after Prue's cheeky advice aired.

Another added, 'Choking nearly had a asthma attack when pru said this' (sic) and a third viewer added, 'Spat my beer. Peurile, but was sniggering like a schoolboy.'

And some viewers were concerned that it wasn't even past the watershed.

We do love a good Bake Off innuendo!

A new batch of bakers has returned to the tent for the new season of The Great British Bake Off and fans who missed the show are wondering who went out of Bake Off last night.

From the moment The Great British Bake Off started on 26th September, fans have been delighted to have the popular competition show back on our screens. As they waited for its return, many might have reflected on where past Great British Bake Off contestants are now or checked out some Great British Bake Off recipes. 

But there’s nothing quite like the comforting baking show itself and we can now enjoy seeing Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Noel Fielding, and Alison Hammond who is the new Bake Off host, plus this year's GBBO contestants every week. 

But who left The Great British Bake Off last night, who became star baker, and when will Bake Off be on All 4? 

We reveal all you need to know if you missed this week’s ultimate baking showdown...

Who left Bake Off last night?

Unfortunately for bakers and fans, Cristy left Bake Off last night. It was a fun one this week as bakers faced Party Bakes Week in the technical, signature, and showstopper rounds. It was another single elimination. The show's only double elimination took place after Tasha fell ill during a previous technical challenge and many people asked what happened to Tasha?

Unfortunately for Cristy, 33, from East London, her journey was cut short after failing to impress the judges with her sausage rolls, chocolate party cake, and an 'anything but beige-buffet' showstopper.

Bake Off tweeted, "Well done for all you've achieved in the Bake Off Tent, Cristy! You've done yourself proud and it's been a delight to see you conquer your self-doubt and soar"

Cristy wrote in her leaving letter, "Getting the call to say I was through to the tent was such an exciting moment. I put my heart and soul into every bake and achieved more than I ever imagined. I also met 11 amazing bakers, making memories and friendships I'll cherish for life. My Bake Off experience was so much more than a competition to me. I've learned to believe in myself, push past my fears and never give up on my dreams. Thank you to Alison and Noel for your constant warmth, love, and laughter. Paul and Prue, what an honour to bake and receive feedback from you. Everyone behind the scenes I love you all."

Who won Star Baker on The Great British Bake Off this week?

This week’s Star Baker was handed to Matty after he impressed Paul and Prue the most this week, even though he doesn't even like sausage rolls. One fan was delighted with the outcome and tweeted, "Absolute deserved star baker! For one who doesn’t even like sausage rolls it’s amazing he made a Hollywood handshake worthy sausage roll lol phenomenal work! It’s fantastic to see him grow week on week!"

Another fan put, "So deserved. Was consistent through all three bakes"

And a third fan added, "He’s my winner. I like gorgeous men who make gorgeous food, what else can I say."

What day is the Great British Bake Off on?

The Great British Bake Off is on Channel 4 every Tuesday at 8pm. And for fans in the US, they can tune in at 3pm ET/ 12pm PT on Tuesdays on PBS (and streams on Netflix). But it won't air in the US until long after it airs in the UK, and free on Channel 4. But fans can watch like a true Brit with the help of a VPN.

When will Bake Off be on All 4?

The Great British Bake Off will go on to All 4 shortly after the programme airs each week. Anyone who is unable to tune in and watch the popular show live will still be able to see all they’ve missed and who left The Great British Bake Off this week by catching up on Channel 4’s on demand service. Simply search The Great British Bake Off on All 4 and select Series 14 to see all available episodes.

How long is The Great British Bake Off on for?

Those who can’t help feeling for the baker who left The Great British Bake Off this week will no doubt also be sad to see many others leaving the tent over the next three weeks. Saying goodbye to so many wonderful contestants might not be easy, but the range of skills shown and mouth-watering bakes presented to Paul and Prue make it worth it.

The hit show will still consist of the usual ten episodes shown every week, meaning that the final episode could potentially air on 28 November 2023.

And if you want to take part next year, here's how to apply for The Great British Bake Off.

These build to the grand finale where one of this year’s contestants will earn a place in the Bake Off hall of fame - and a coveted trophy. Each episode of The Great British Bake off consists of three challenges: a signature bake, a technical challenge, and a showstopper.

From collapsing cakes to stunning pastry, if past years are anything to go on then the next several weeks will be full of plenty of dramatic and joyful moments. 

For those still wondering where Bake Off is filmed? the show has returned to its original home with the tent set up in the grounds of the Welford Park Estate in Berkshire. And it was here that the 2019 line-up took on Paul and Prue’s latest delicious challenges.

If you love reality shows, you might wonder Who is on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins? or Where is First Dates filmed?

Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith has sparked anger amongst viewers who have dubbed her comments about calories “toxic” and “harmful” following the latest episode.

Each week since The Great British Bake Off started in 2021 we've been immersed in the world of mouth-watering bakes, from scrumptious cakes to structural children’s toy biscuit designs. As all longtime fans will know, the more we get to know and love the Great British Bake Off contestants, the more we can’t help feeling more than a little devastated for each one who leaves Bake Off.

This week it was Vegan baker Freya who left the Bake Off tent after failing to impress judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood in German Week. Now fans have taken to social media following the episode as they expressed their anger after Prue used a certain phrase once again this week. 

During the first challenge of the episode, Prue excitedly told Amanda that her German biscuits were so delicious, they were “worth every calorie”. And it’s not the first time in this year’s series the judge has made remarks about calories, sparking a major reaction on social media.

Taking to Twitter, one Bake Off fan wrote, ‘I wish Prue would behave talking about how the bakes are “worth the calories”. Your job is to eat treats how on earth are you making it joyless!!! it’s making me sad #GBBO’. 

'Prue said it was worth the calories' I cannot say enough how much I hate this toxic anti food chat in a FOOD PROGRAMME’, a second viewer stated. 

Other people remarked upon the potentially devastating effect comments about calories might have upon those who have been affected by eating disorders or who have struggled with the pressures of diet culture. 

‘right i b***** love bake off but can prue stop banging on about calories. without going into the issues around EDs, it’s 2021 and we’ve survived a global pandemic, enjoy the damn cake for what it is’, one person declared. 

‘PLEASE could someone tell Prue that ‘worth every calorie’ is a harmful sentiment that she should really not be making into a catchphrase?’ someone else shared. 

Meanwhile, a third person agreed, Tweeting, ‘Prue on @BritishBakeOff AGAIN saying “worth every calorie”… Please this isn’t needed. It’s not funny, it’s rooted in diet culture and it’s everything that is wrong with our modern food, weight obsessed, body image culture.Really unnecessary’.

The Bake Off judge has not yet officially responded to the recent social media response. Whilst Prue Leith's calories remark has sparked a major reaction, other fans also took to social media after the latest episode to express their great sadness at Freya's departure.

The 19-year-old has delighted viewers with her vegan bakes over the past few weeks and now as the final creeps ever closer, fans will no doubt be keen to see if their favourite is going to make it.

Channel 4's Murder Island is the latest crime series to have audiences glued to their seats.

We viewers love a classic 'Who dunnit?' television series to sink our teeth into. And thankfully after the end of ITV's submarine thriller Vigil, filmed in the UK, audiences have a new Channel 4 offering to play armchair detective with.

The programme, written by acclaimed crime author Ian Rankin has plenty a twist and turns in store. And with the show airing straight after new series of The Great British Bake Off, there really is no excuse not to watch it.

When is Murder Island on Channel 4?

Murder Island airs on Tuesdays at 9.30pm on Channel 4.

The new crime series has six episodes in total. And each episode is 60 minutes long with ad breaks.

Viewers who miss the show will also be able to catch up online on All4 after the programme has aired.

It joins Channel 4 shows like Married at First Sight which finishes on October 4, and new series Complaints Welcome, which are keeping us entertained this autumn.

What is Murder Island on Channel 4 about?

Murder Island sees eight members of the public split into four teams of two. They will be tasked with solving the murder of Charly Hendricks - a young woman found dead at a rented and rundown property on the Island.

During the six episodes, the players must work hard to successfully catch her killer. With the winners walking away with the £50,000 prize at the end of the show.

Watching their every move are the show's experts - three top senior investigating officers. And they will be assessing the teams, pointing out any mistakes and offering their expertise.

On hand will also be pathologists, forensic scientists and psychologists to aid the amateur detectives on solving the case.

Is Murder Island real?

No the murder committed in Murder Island is entirely fictional.

The storyline the players have to solve is written by acclaimed crime writer Ian Rankin. He is best known for his Inspector Rebus novels, which have also been adapted for TV.

The Scottish writer, who was a recent guest on The One Show, teased fans with what can be expected from the show.

"When it comes to writing a whodunit I usually call the shots, taking the reader only to the places I want them to visit and showing them only the characters I want them to seem," he said.

“Murder Island is different. The detectives can follow any strand, uncovering clues as they go and asking the suspects any questions they like. Will I manage to stay one step ahead of them? I think I’ve constructed my twistiest story yet – so let’s see!"

Murder Island trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYqbwyB5a2o

Channel 4 released the trailer for Murder Island in September. And it seems that the show has already earnt a few fans.

One commented: "First episode was great, looking forward to the next one"

Who are the Murder Island police experts?

The show features experts Parm Sandhu, Simon Harding and Graham McMillan. And these three will watch over the contestants as they try to identify the murderer.

Parm Sandhu is a former Chief Superintendent at the Met Police, author and broadcaster, who will be acting as senior investigating officer.

She is assisted by her deputies - former Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding and Detective Sergeant Graham McMillan who works within the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit.

Parm Sandhu shared what she thinks makes a good detective. Citing someone who is "analytical, methodical, and who pays attention to detail" as a prime candidate.

"It's so easy to miss that very small clue that could open up the whole case. I see a murder investigation a bit like a jigsaw, if you miss even the tiniest little piece your picture is not going to be complete."

Where is Murder Island filmed?

Murder Island was filmed in Gigha, a remote island in Scotland.

Gigha forms part of the Kintyre coast and is a rural, green island with a tiny population of just 163 people.

Filming for the crime show took place during summer 2021, following the lifting of government coronavirus restrictions.

Whilst scenes are filmed in Gigha, the island has been renamed as the fictional place Hirsa for the show.

Giving an overview of Hirsa, Channel 4 shared:

"The island of Hirsa lies less than twenty miles off the west coast of Scotland. The population of 173 is served by one pub, one shop and a primary school. For everything else you have to travel to the mainland."

Contestants will no doubt explore many of the island's assets as they race to catch the killer.

How to apply to be a Murder Island detective:

Sadly, applications to be a detective on Murder Island are currently closed.

But we've got the inside detail on what you need to prepare if and when applications re-open.

Amateur detectives will need to sign up for an account on the STV website. And as part of the submission you're required to share the usual personal details like name, age, occupation and contact details.

After this you'll be asked to share who you'd like to team up with for the show, uploading a photo of you both plus a short video.

STV says: "The video doesn’t need to be anything fancy, just you telling us why you would like to become real life detectives and solve a murder mystery."

We'd also recommend watching the first series of Murder Island to see if the experience is for you. And of course, whilst you do making a mental note of the mistakes performed by previous contestants. As this is sure to increase your chances of winning that £50,000 cash prize.

This spiced pumpkin Halloween birthday cake from Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain is such a treat.

You might find it a bit strange adding pumpkin or butternut squash to a cake, but it's no different from adding carrots to a carrot cake. Pumpkin has a natural sweetness to it and it adds moisture to the sponge , making it light, fluffy and so moreish. This Halloween birthday cake is topped with chocolate-covered Oreos as spiders and has a drip effect topping too.

Ingredients

For the sponge:

• 450g pumpkin or butternut squash, grated
• 80ml whole milk, room temperature
• 4 medium eggs, lightly beaten
• 1tsp vanilla essence
• 350ml olive oil
• 420g caster sugar
• 500g plain flour, sifted
• 2tsp baking powder
• 1tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1tsp fine sea salt
• 1tsp ground cinnamon
• 1tsp ground ginger
• 80g golden linseed

For the buttercream frosting:

• 300g unsalted butter, softened
• 600g icing sugar sifted
• 1tsp ground cinnamon

For the ganache:

• 100g dark chocolate (70%), finely chopped
• 2tbsp golden syrup
• 25g unsalted butter, cubed
• 50g mini green and blue Smarties

For the Oreo Spiders:

• 4 Oreos, any flavour
• 100g milk chocolate, melted
• 8 liquourice laces, each cut into 4
• 8 candy eyes

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 190, fan 170 or gas mark 3. Line and grease the inside of 2 deep 20cm cake tins. In a large mixing bowl add the grated squash, milk, eggs, vanilla essence, olive oil and sugar and give it all a good mix until well combined.
2. Sift over the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, salt and spices and mix through until well combined. Add the golden linseeds and give it all another mix through.
3. Divide the mixture equally between the two prepared tins and bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 45-50 mins. The cakes are baked when they slightly come away from the sides but double-check by inserting a skewer - if it comes out clean, it's ready.
4. Once baked, remove from the oven and leave to cool for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool - leave them until they are completely cold.
5. For the buttercream frosting, using an electric whisk combine the butter with the icing sugar and cinnamon until light and fluffy. Once ready, sandwich the two cakes with a generous amount of buttercream and cover the top and sides using the remainder.
6. Next, make the chocolate ganache. Melt the chocolate, syrup, butter and 60ml water in a bowl over a pan of simmering water until the mixture comes together when stirred. Set aside to cool for 30 minutes before topping the cake.
7. For the Oreo spiders, using a knife, separate the Oreo in two, so one half has all the filling and the other has none. Dab a little of the melted chocolate onto the centre of each half biscuit with filling and stick 8 pieces of liquourice onto it to create legs, top with the other half of the biscuit and leave in the fridge to set for 5mins.
8. Line a tray with greaseproof paper and put the Oreos on a wire rack on top of the tray. Spoon melted chocolate over each Oreo and add the candy eyes then leave to set in the fridge for 15 minutes.
9. Pour the chocolate ganache over the cake and gently spread over the top to create a drip effect, top with mini Smarties and Oreo spiders to serve.

Top tips for making this Halloween birthday cake

If you're not a fan of Oreos, you could try other sandwich biscuits instead.

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Halloween food ideas

Halloween cupcakes

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This blueberry muffin loaf recipe is perfect if you want a quick and easy breakfast option to go around the table. 

Everyone knows that blueberry muffins are a breakfast and brunch staple. If you make them yourself, not only are they packed with vitamin C, E and B from the fresh fruit, but they're also sweet and filling. While the classic version is in the muffin cases, Jo Wheatley has created this recipe for blueberry muffins in a loaf tin. It's the perfect bake to make when you've got lots of people coming round and want something to share over a cup of tea or coffee.

Ingredients

For the topping:

• 25g plain flour
• 20g unsalted butter, diced
• 20g caster sugar

For the muffin:

• 200g self-raising flour
• ½tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 75g soft brown sugar
• 50g caster sugar
• 70g unsalted butter, melted
• 160ml full-fat milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 130g blueberries

You will also need:

• a greased 900g loaf tin, the base and ends lined with a strip of buttered baking parchment

Method

1. Preheat oven 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4.
2. Make the topping first. Tip the flour, butter and sugar into a bowl and, using your fingers, rub the butter into the flour until it resembles a crumble mixture.
3. To make the loaf, sieve the flour and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl, add both of the sugars and mix well.
4. Melt the butter, leave to cool slightly and then mix with the milk, egg and vanilla extract and whisk until smooth.
5. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in the milk and egg mixture. Using a large metal spoon, fold the two mixtures together until only just combined. Fold the blueberries into the mixture, making sure not to overwork the batter as this will result in a heavy sponge.
6. Carefully spoon the mixture into the prepared loaf tin, scatter over the crumble topping and bake on the middle shelf of the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until golden, well risen and a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.

Top tips for making blueberry muffin loaf:

After your loaf has been in the oven, leave it in the tin for a while to cool. This will stop it from sinking in the middle as it's transferred over to a different surface. But if you're worried about it overcooking, then take it out.

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Banana muffins

Chocolate muffins

Apple muffins

This chocolate Christmas cake has it all; a rich chocolate sponge smothered in lashings of thick ganache, topped with chocolate fingers, buttons, and stars.

Not everyone is a fan of traditional Christmas cake. Try this chocolate extravaganza from former Great British Bake Off winner Frances Quinn in place of your usual Christmas cake recipe for a real crowd-pleaser. "Hidden chocolate snow bites not only add an extra chocolate hit to the centre of the cake but serve up a surprise amid the chocolate ganache filling when the cake is sliced through," says Frances.

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 125g slightly salted butter
• 125g dark muscovardo sugar
• 200g golden syrup
• 50g dark chocolate, chopped up
• 200g self-raising flour
• 50g cocoa powder
• 1tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 250ml milk
• 1tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg

For the ganache:

• 300ml double cream
• 150g dark chocolate, chopped up
• 150g Christmas chocolates like Dairy Milk Winter Wonderland chocolates

To decorate:

• 6 white chocolate finger biscuits
• 2 packets of white chocolate buttons
• A selection of other Christmas chocolates, Frances used Cadbury's Snow Bites and Winter Wonderland Trees
• Icing sugar to dust

Method

1. For the ganache: Place the chopped up chocolate into a medium bowl. Heat the cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When the cream is just coming to a boil, pour over the chopped chocolate, and stir until smooth and shiny and leave to cool completely, in the fridge if necessary.
2. For the cake: Preheat oven to 180°C/320°F/Gas Mark 4. Grease and line a deep base 7"/18cm round cake tin or 2 x 7"/18cm round shallow springform cake tins.
3. Melt the sugar, syrup and butter together in a medium pan over a medium heat, stirring on occasion with a wooden spoon. Once everything has dissolved, stir through the dark chocolate till melted and combined. Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.
4. Meanwhile, sift all the dry ingredients into a large bowl. Pour and measure the milk into a Pyrex jug and beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Pour the syrup mixture from the pan into the dry ingredients and mix through, add the milk and egg mixture and combine everything together.
5. Pour into the lined tin/s and bake in the oven for approx 40/50 minutes if baking in the deep tin and 20/30 if in the 2 shallow tins. The cakes should be springy to the touch and a knife pushed into the centre of the cake should comes out clean. Don't worry about any cracks on the surface of the cake as they will be covered by the ganache late. Leave the cakes to cool in tin/s before turning them out onto a wire rack to cool fully.
6. To assemble: Once both the cakes and ganache have fully cooled, you can start to assemble and decorate the cake. If you've baked a deep cake, carefully slice it in half to create two cakes to sandwich together. Place one of the cakes onto your plate and spoon a third of the ganache onto its centre and spread over with a palette knife. Carefully dot and press a handful of chocolates into the ganache, as if hidden in the filling. Place the other cake on top and sandwich together gently. Spoon and spread the remainder of the ganache over the top and sides of the cake using a palette knife.
7. To decorate, place the chocolate finger biscuits on the surface of the cake to create a snowflake pattern and then stick in the chocolate buttons sandwiched together to produce the snowflakes tips. Stick some more of the buttons around the side of the cake to look like falling snow. Scatter around remaining chocolates around the base of the cake. 

Top tips for making this chocolate Christmas cake

"Mini indoor sparklers rather than candles can be inserted and ignited to make the cake even more magical, together with a dusting of icing sugar snow to fully set the scene," says Frances.

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Mary Berry’s fruit cake

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Everyone's favourite baking show is returning for 2023, and fans want to know where Bake Off is filmed.

Cake devotees and biscuit lovers across the country have been counting down the days to the start of Bake Off. While Celebrity Bake Off and Bake Off: The Professionals have filled a cake-shaped hole over the last few months, they're just not quite the same as the original Bake Off - and this year there's even more to look forward to, with a format change and a new Bake Off host as well.

As always, a new batch of Bake Off contestants will be entering the famous white tent over the next ten weeks. Covered in bunting and top-of-the-range kitchen gear, and set within a grand estate, one of the questions that fans ask every series is where is Bake Off filmed?

Where is Bake Off filmed?

The Great British Bake Off is filmed in the grounds of the Welford Park Estate in Berkshire. The show was filmed there from 2014 to 2019, but in 2020 and 2021 the baking contest was filmed at Down Hall, a hotel in Hatfield Heath, Essex.

The change of location was due to Down Hall being more accommodating when it came to filming under pandemic restrictions, but last year the famous white tent returned to its old home.

And the show's stars were pleased to be back, with judge Paul Hollywood telling the Express: "I love filming at Welford and we've been away for a couple of years. I sat on the grass, not far from the tents. It's a very reflective place and Bake Off's been a big part of my life for quite a while now. It's lovely being back. I felt totally chilled out and relaxed."

Previous Bake Off filming locations include Valentines Mansion in Redbridge (season two) and Harptree Court in Somerset (seasons three and four). And long-time fans of the show will remember for the very first season, which aired in 2010, the tent relocated each week, with the show filmed in the following locations:

• Week 1: Cakes – filmed in the Cotswolds
• Week 2: Biscuits – filmed at Scone Palace, Perthshire
• Week 3: Bread – filmed at Sarre Windmill, Kent
• Week 4: Puddings – filmed in Bakewell, Derbyshire
• Week 5: Pastry – filmed in Mousehole, Cornwall
• Week 6: Tea Party (the final) – filmed at Fulham Palace, London

Can you visit the Bake Off tent?

The tent is only constructed for filming, but you can visit Welford Park where the show is based. It is a private home but welcomes the public to its grounds from February to March, and is best known for its striking snowdrops. 

New for 2023, the site will also be open between October 20 and November 12 for a 'Spectacle of Light', which invites visitors to enjoy a light trail around the grounds. Pricing and other ticket information is available on the Welford Park website.

Originally the site of a monastery, the Park became the deer-hunting lodge of Henry VIII before being given to Sir Thomas Parry, the Treasurer of Queen Elizabeth I's household. The property also served as a recuperation home for distressed soldiers during World War I, with the bedrooms becoming hospital wards and dormitories for the nursing staff.

Now, the site is able to offer production offices, greenrooms and catering - making it a great filming location - while the acres of woodland and landscaped gardens give it the quintessentially English feel that Bake Off is known for.

And if you want to be on the show, applications are now open so here's how to apply for The Great British Bake Off.

Why is Bake Off filmed in a tent?

The tent evokes the feeling of a classic British summer gathering - a village fete. And while the exact reason why a tent was chosen for Bake Off's filming location is not known, it's most likely to do with the production design.

Another reason could be due to the first series changing location each week, so the tent allowed for a consistent backdrop - and has remained part of the show ever since.

2013 winner Frances Quinn previously told Cosmopolitan, about the experience of baking outdoors in a tent. "It's completely alien to your own kitchen at home," she said, adding, "The temperature fluctuates - you'd be making a meringue and it would start raining, or we'd try and make pastry and it would be 27 degrees outside. The technical challenges and lack of time and lack of fridge and work space are the enemy on that show."

Is Bake Off filmed in one day?

No, The Great British Bake Off is not filmed in one day. Filming for the show reportedly takes 10 weeks, with each episode shot over two days - usually at the weekend.

Contestants, judges and hosts are known to work long hours during filming days, with Paul Hollywood previously revealing that a 12-hour shoot was something of a "short day" on set.

"We try and get together as much as we can but sometimes we’re shattered," he said during a Bake Off press conference. "If it’s been a really late one we’re all just saying, 'I’m going to get room service.'"

Speaking about how long it takes to film an episode, season eight baker Tom Hetherington told Insider: "It takes quite a long time to film, and I don't think everyone appreciates how long it takes, but it becomes very exhausting and very stressful."

He explained that depending on how many contestants are left in the competition, filming days can take anywhere from 10 to 16 hours.

For fans of the show, we've got plenty of Bake Off related recipes for you to try, from Mary Berry's lemon drizzle cake and Paul Hollywood's scones to 2015 winner Nadiya Hussein's teriyaki salmon.

The Great British Bake Off is back now for 2021 and with episodes going out every week, fans want to know whether you can watch Bake Off on Netflix. 

Along with a whole host of new contestant ready to show off their skills, questions about where Bake Off is filmed this year are coming up as the show has taken to a new location this year after the baking show's move to Channel 4 in 2017 . But some things have stayed the same, as much-loved judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith are back and probably hoping to see fewer 'soggy bottoms' from the bakes on offer this year. Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding are also returning with their own unique brand of presenting magic as hosts of the reality baking contest.

So, with whisks and innuendos at the ready, when does Bake Off finally start and can you watch it on Netflix?

When does Bake Off start in 2021?

The Great British Bake Off 2021 started on Tuesday 21st September at 8pm, Channel 4 confirmed.

The series has been filmed in 'bubbles' this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. But the show is still expected to feature the usual 10 episodes and in each episode, viewers will see the amateur bakers take on three challenges based on that week's theme: a signature bake, a technical challenge, and a show-stopper.

With their bakes laid before the judges at the end of each challenge, it's down to Paul and Prue to decide which is their favourite following the blind tasting.

With one episode already available to watch, take a look at some of the series' highlights so far:

For the first show-stopper challenge, bakers had to defy the laws of gravity.

Each week, the judges award one baker the title of 'star baker' while another is eliminated from the competition and sent home. This goes on until the quarter-final and semi-final, with just three contestants making it through to the final.

But having the title of 'star baker' is just a symbolic gesture and by no means does it guarantee them being put through to the following week.

If they are lucky enough to make it through, though, they get the chance to wear a badge on their apron during the next round.

Can you watch Bake Off on Netflix?

Yes, you can watch Bake Off on Netflix. Variety confirmed that the new series will be streamed for audiences around the world shortly after its UK broadcast.

Bake Off became the fifth most-streamed show among American audiences in October 2020 after Netflix released episodes of show in America three days after they ran in the UK.

Since then, both US and UK audiences have been able to enjoy a backlog of episodes featuring past Great British Bake Off contestants as well as Bake Off: The Professionals and Celebrity Bake Off in aid of Stand Up 2 Cancer.

And now with the amateur main series upon us, fear not, if you're planning a late sunshine getaway you'll still be able to watch your favourite show without missing an episode.

When does Bake Off go on All 4?

The first episode of the new season of Bake Off is now available to watch on All 4. 

Each episode will appear on the catch-up site soon after it finishes live on Channel 4 as well as appearing on Netflix.

To watch All 4, you must have a television license. However, you do not need one to watch Bake Off 2021 on Netflix.

Who are the Bake Off 2021 contestants?

Bake Off 2021 contestants have now been unveiled...

Amanda

Age: 56 | Location: London | Job: Detective with the Metropolitan Police

"Absolutely thrilled to be part of the bake off family," Amanda wrote on Instagram, announcing that she was joining the show for the 2021 season.

Chigs

Age: 40 | Location: Leicestershire | Job: Sales Manager

Calling his choice to go on the show "one of the biggest risks" of his life, contestant Chigs only started baking for the first time during the lockdown last year.

Crystelle

Age: 26 | Location: London | Job: Client Relationship Manager

Another new comer to the world of baking, Crystelle only started baking three years ago. She loves fusing spices from the places she's travelled to in her baking, evidenced by the delicious array of foods on her Instagram account.

Freya 

Age: 19 | Location: North Yorkshire | Job: Student

Freya is a psychology student, model and normally creates all her cakes with exclusively vegan ingredients. Speaking about the requirement to use the same non-vegan ingredients during the technical challenge as everyone else on the show, Freya said that she had "plans to Veganise the recipes" from the show when it's over.

George

Age: 34 | Location: London | Job: Shared Lives Co-ordinator

George also takes inspiration from his Greek-Cypriot heritage in his baking, cooking up all the classic Greek dishes in his spare time. While only one episode in, it's clear George has a good eye for detail and looks for perfection in his presentation.

Giuseppe

Age: 45 | Location: Bristol | Job: Chief Engineer

Giuseppe is a self-confessed "food snob" who took to baking after becoming committed to feeding his children homemade sweets, rather than anything mass produced. Originally from Italy, he takes inspiration from the country and from his father, who was a professional chef.

Jairzeno

Age: 51 | Location: London | Job: Head of Finance

Jairzeno's cakes are really something! Just check out his Instagram for some of the marvellous creations we can expect to see over the coming weeks. From Neapolitan pound cake to an illustrious guava, pink grapefruit and chilli creation, we can't wait to see what he bakes next. 

Jürgen

Age: 56 | Location: Sussex | Job: IT Professional 

"A bake without sugar is like a breath of fresh air," Jürgen says. After moving to the UK and being unable to find the traditional breads made in his home country of Germany, Jürgen decided to make his own. Now the baker is known for his breads, particularly the Jewish challah bread.

Lizzie

Age: 28 | Location: Liverpool | Job: Car Production Operative

This cake enthusiast prefers simple baking and believes that flavour and quantity come up trumps over precision. Announcing her appearance on the show, Lizzie wrote on Instagram, "BRING ON THE BAKES. I am dumbfounded to be able to say I have been in bake off tent !!!! But more excited for you to get to know the amazingly talented and awe-inspiring bakers I now get to call my mates😊."

Maggie

Age: 70 | Location: Dorset | Job: Retired Nurse and Midwife 

Pictured here alongside host Prue Leith, Maggie is another contestant on Bake Off 2021. She has a HUGE collection of recipe books and loves to make traditional bakes and cakes, but also like to challenge herself with different and exciting flavours.

Rochica

Age: 27 | Location: Birmingham | Job: Junior HR Business Partner

"SO late to the party (as usual) BUT I am EXTREMELY EXCITED to officially announce that I am going on The Great British Bake Off," Rochica said on Instagram when she revealed she was going on the show. "This still doesn't seem real!"

Tom

Age: 28 | Location: Kent | Job: Software Developer

"Well, isn't this exciting! Looks like the most surreal experience of my life has taken a turn for the stranger! 😁😋🍰," said Tom of his Bake Off experience. "I hope you are all looking forward to this year's series! I've had the best time getting to know the other lovely bakers this year, so I'm sure you all will too!"

Who won Great British Bake Off 2020?

Edinburgh student Peter Sawkins was crowned winner of the 2020 Great British Bake Off.

The 20-year-old triumphed in what the judges described as the 'closest final' in the TV show's 11-year history.

Paul Hollywood’s simple recipe for strawberry tarts will make you a pastry pro in no time. 

Cream, sweet pastry and juicy, fresh strawberries - what’s not to like about strawberry tarts? The Bake-off judge shows us how to make shortcrust pastry and creme patissiere from scratch with delicious results, sharing some handy tips and tricks along the way. We recommend making during the summer months, between May and September, when British strawberries are in season and at their most flavoursome. Perfect for an afternoon tea or a sweet summer picnic.

Ingredients

For the pastry

• 225g plain flour
• 110g butter
• 80g sugar
• 1 large egg, whisked

For the creme patisserie

• 2 free-range eggs
• 30g/1.5oz caster sugar
• 1 tsps corn flour
• 15g/ ½oz plain flour
• 25g/1oz butter
• 140ml milk
• Vanilla pod
• 250g strawberries
• Icing sugar for dusting

Method

1. For the pastry, rub the butter and the flour together by hand, using your finger tips. The mix should look like large bread crumbs. Add the whole whisked egg and the sugar. Bring all the ingredients together to form a ball of pastry. Wrap in cling film and chill for at least 20 minutes
2. For the crème patisserie, whisk the egg yolks and sugar together in a bowl until pale and light. Fold in the corn flour and flour. Bring the milk to the boil in a small saucepan and then whisk it gradually into the egg mixture Pour the mixture into a clean pan and bring it slowly to the boil until it thickens. Simmer for a minute and then take the pan off the heat. Pass through a sift. Split vanilla pod in half length ways, scrape out the seeds and add to the mixture. Cover with cling film and allow to cool. Then place in a piping bag.
3. Pre-heat oven to 170°C/150°C fan/325°F/Gas Mark 3.
4. Roll out pastry to about 4mm thick. Carefully line the four tartlet tins. Leaving an over hang of pastry. Place on a baking tray. Chill for twenty minutes. Then blind bake pastry for ten minutes.
5. Turn down oven to 160°C/140°C fan/300°F/Gas Mark 2. Remove baking beans and prick pastry with a fork and cook for a further ten minutes. Egg wash tarts and cook for a further five minutes. Leave the pastry in the tins and allow to cool. With a small edged serrated knife, trim the excess pastry from the tins. Being very delicate. Remove pastry cases from tartlet tins.
6. Pipe in the vanilla crème patisserie. Hull three strawberries slice them three quarters the way down, so the slices are still connected. Fan out strawberries, arrange on top of the crème patisserie. Dust with icing sugar.

Tips for making Paul Hollywood's strawberry tarts:

Ready-made shop bought shortcrust pastry can be used here to save on time.

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• Quick strawberry tart
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Tom Kerridge’s flourless chocolate cake is decadent, rich and delicious.

This flourless chocolate cake by Tom Kerridge is so simple that once you’ve made it, it will become your ‘go to’ chocolate cake for every special occasion. The top British chef’s recipe for flourless chocolate cake is made without flour and therefore perfect for those on a gluten-free diet. Cooked at a low temperature and left to set as it cools, it will then stay perfectly soft and moist in a tin for a few days. We recommend finishing with a dollop of cream, nuts and ripe raspberries for a total tastebud treat.

Ingredients

• 250g butter, diced, plus extra for greasing
• 375g dark chocolate (70 per cent cocoa solids), broken into small pieces
• 7 eggs, plus 1 extra egg yolk
• 375g caster sugar

To serve:

• whipped cream or crème fraîche
• raspberries
• toasted nuts
• grated chocolate (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 140C, gas 1. Lightly grease a 23cm springform cake tin with butter and line the base and sides with non-stick baking parchment.
2. Put the butter and chocolate into a large heatproof bowl and place over a saucepan of barely simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water. Allow to melt, then stir until smooth. Remove the bowl from the heat and cool slightly.
3. Using a freestanding mixer fitted with the whisk, or an electric hand mixer and bowl, whisk the eggs, egg yolk and sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy and increased in volume. Carefully pour in the melted mixture and fold gently with a spatula to combine, trying not to knock out any air.
4. Pour the cake mixture into the prepared tin. Bake for about 40-45 minutes until set. It will soufflé up a little and a crust will form on the top. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin – the cake will settle and sink down in the centre.
5. Once it’s cooled, press down and flatten the surface a little with a palette knife – this helps to give it a lovely, soft and gooey texture. Release the sides of the tin and peel away the parchment from the sides of the cake.
6. Invert a serving plate over the top of the cake and turn both over to release the cake onto the plate. Remove the tin base and the baking parchment.
7. Either serve the cake just as it is, with cream or crème fraîche, or finish with any combination of whipped cream, raspberries, toasted nuts and grated chocolate.

Tips for making Tom Kerridge's flourless chocolate cake:

We recommend baking the batter straight after you’ve whipped it up. This is because too much exposure to the air can make the cake collapse after it cools. Batter sitting for 20-25 minutes is fine but avoid leaving for over an hour.

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Who left Bake Off: The Professionals this week? All the answers are here if you didn't get a chance to tune in on Tuesday night.

Bake Off: The Professionals is back for 2021 and fans can see how teams of professional pastry chefs get on when they compete in a baking competition where they are expected to turn ordinary patisserie and the most delicious desserts into masterpieces.

If you're a fan of the amateur Great British Bake Off and the Celebrity Great British Bake Off, you won't be able to resist the quality of the Professionals Bake Off - where even the experienced pastry chefs find avoiding a 'soggy bottom' a bit of a challenge.

And if you missed last night's show aired on Channel 4, here's who left Bake Off: The Professionals this week...

Who left Bake Off: The Professionals this week?

Keiron and Rebecca left Bake Off: The Professionals this week. They failed to impress the celebrated pastry chefs Cherish Finden and Benoit Blin and were ultimately eliminated ahead of the next round.

But the duo took leaving the contest completely in their stride and admitted, "We did our absolute best but unfortunately it's not our year."

The GBBO tweeted, 'We’re sad to say farewell to Keiron and Rebecca, but a huge well done for making it this far and best of luck for the future! #GBBO'

After heat one and two, the top three pastry chef duos from each heat battled it out in The Final Six on Bake Off: The Professionals. It was the first time the contestants from both heats came face to face to tackle viennoiseries and stunning sugar showpieces.

The professionals are made up of talented people from across the country who work in top hotels, restaurants and small businesses and all have to battle it out in a series of competitive heats.

Twelve pairs of professionals started the competition split into two heats. The top three from each heat go forward to the next stage where three more teams will face elimination weekly before the final.

From Heat One the following couples have made it through to the later stages of Bake Off: The Professionals; Julien and Elise, Kevin and Maria Vittoria and Michael and Andrew.

Meanwhile, next week it's almost quarter-final time - one that is not to be missed!

What time is Bake Off: The Professionals on?

Bake Off: The Professionals airs on Tuesdays at 9pm on Channel 4. The series started on Tuesday 25th May with episode one and there are a total of ten episodes in this series before a winner will be crowned. You can catch up on any shows that have aired so far on-demand on All4.

Where is Bake Off: The Professionals 2021 filmed?

Bake Off: The Professionals 2021 is filmed in the stately home of Firle Place in East Sussex. Whereas GBBO is has been filmed in Welford Park, Berkshire, since 2014.

In previous years, the GBBO spin-off show has been filmed at Welbeck Abbey in Nottingham but one thing that has remained the same is its presenters Tom Allen and GBBO favourite Liam Charles who returns to host the show.

The stables of the stately home have been transformed into a lavish set for the new season and will see the professionals cook up their delicious treats on the TV set created from scratch in the posh stately home.

Who are the Bake Off: The Professionals contestants?

• Michael and Andrew – Gin & Bake
• Kevin and Maria Vittoria – The Lanesborough
• Jamie and Andréa – St. Ermins Hotel
• Alex and Stacey - College of West Anglia
• Sherrazade and Merryn – The Bristol Loaf
• Julien and Elise – Julien Plumart

Watch Bake Off: The Professionals next Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4.

Mary Berry's iced fairy cakes are perfect for bake sales, kids' parties, and picnics - an easy four-step recipe you'll certainly want to try.

It takes just 30 minutes to prepare and bake Mary Berry's deliciously sweet iced fairy cakes. The fairy cake sponge is made with a simple five-ingredient mixture of butter, caster sugar, eggs, self-raising flour, and baking powder - all of which can be easily measured out by your little helper if made with children. A quick all-in-one method ensures light and fluffy cakes and the sugar and water icing makes a speedy, yet effective decorating technique. Top with sweets of your choice and enjoy. Follow these step-by-step instructions for the perfect iced fairy cakes.

If you like this fairy cake recipe, you'll certainly want to try baking some of our other popular fairy cakes including delicious chocolate fairy cakes, zingy lemon fairy cakes, and our simple fairy cakes made with plain flour.

Ingredients

For the fairy cakes:

• 100 g (4 oz) softened butter
• 100 g (4 oz) caster sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 100 g (4 oz) self-raising flour
• 1 level tsp baking powder

For the icing:

• 225 g (8 oz) sifted icing sugar
• 2-3tbsp warm water
• handful of sweets, to decorate

Method

1. To make these fairy cakes, preheat the oven to 200C fan/180C fan/gas 6. Place fairy cake cases into a 12-hole bun tin, to keep a good even shape as they bake. Or if you don't have a bun tin, you can line a standard baking tray instead, but just keep in mind that the cakes may not rise perfectly rounded as they won't have support from the bun tin to hold the mixture in place when baking.
2. Measure all the ingredients; 100g softened butter, 100g caster sugar, 2 large eggs, 100g self-raising, and 1 level tsp baking powder into a large bowl and beat for 2-3 mins with an electric whisk or wooden spoon manually until the mixture is well blended and smooth. Fill each paper case with the mixture using a tablespoon to ensure each fairy cake will bake to the same size.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the cakes are well-risen and golden brown. We would recommend checking the cakes at 15 minutes to make sure they are not browning too quickly on top - don't open the oven though or only open it slightly if you have to otherwise the mixture will sink in the middle and your fairy cakes won't rise properly. Once baked, lift the paper cases out of the bun tin and cool the cakes on a wire rack.
4. Once the fairy cakes are completely cooled, put the icing sugar in a bowl and gradually blend in the warm water until you have a fairly stiff icing. Spoon over the top of the cakes and decorate with sweets. Leave to set for 30 minutes or serve as they are.

Watch how to make Mary Berry's iced fairy cakes

Top tips for making Mary Berry's fairy cakes

Here are some of our top tips for making Mary Berry's iced fairy cakes at home. We've covered all you need to know about how to make fairy cakes with kids, how to change the color of the icing, and how to store your fairy cakes too. See our helpful tips for more.

If you're looking for something just as easy to bake with the kids we'd recommend our simple chocolate fairy cakes, basic cupcake recipe (prep in just 15 mins), and last, but certainly not least, a Mary Berry classic - lemon drizzle cake – perfect served with a cuppa for you and a glass of milk for the kiddies.

Lemon cheesecake cupcakes are the perfect hybrid of a classic bake and an indulgent dessert.

This cupcake recipe comes from Great British Bake Off legend Martha Collison. The cakes take 20 minutes to bake and are just over 400 calories per cake. They can be served as an afternoon treat or an easy prep ahead dessert. 

Ingredients

For the cupcakes:

• 175g plain flour
• 200g caster sugar
• 75g butter
• 1½tsp baking powder
• 2 eggs, at room temperature
• 90ml whole milk, at room temperature
• Zest of 1 unwaxed lemon
• 1tsp vanilla bean paste

For the filling:

• 12 tsp lemon curd

For the icing:

• 100g full-fat cream cheese
• 350g icing sugar
• 150ml double cream

For the topping:

• 50g digestive biscuits
• 1 tsp butter, melted

Method

• Heat the oven to 180C (160C fan, Gas 4). Line a cupcake tin with 12 cupcake cases.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, sugar, butter and baking powder using the paddle attachment. Mix on a low speed until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. You shouldn't see any large lumps of butter. Alternatively, use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour and sugar.
• In a small jug, use a fork to blend the eggs, milk, lemon zest and vanilla bean paste together. Add the mixture a little at a time to the bowl, beating until it is all combined. Keep beating for a few minutes more, until the mixture is uniform and smooth with no lumps.
• Divide the mixture between the cases evenly, filling each one no more than two-thirds full. Bake in the oven for 16-18 minutes, until a skewer inserted comes out clean and the cakes are a pale golden brown.
• Leave to cool for five minutes in the tin, then remove and leave to cool completely on a cooling rack. Do not attempt to decorate them until they are cold.
• To make the icing, put the cream cheese into a large bowl, and use an electric hand-held whisk to beat it until smooth. Add the icing sugar, a few tablespoons at a time, until it is all incorporated. Mix in the double cream and whisk until the mixture thickens. You can whisk this by hand, but it will take a few more minutes to thicken. It won’t hold its shape yet, so it is important to chill it in the fridge for at least an hour so that it firms up.
• Put the biscuits for the topping in a sealable plastic bag, seal it and then, using a rolling pin, lightly bash the bag to crush the biscuits into small pieces.
• Add the biscuit crumbs to the melted butter and stir until the mixture starts to clump together.
• To assemble, use a sharp knife or specialist cupcake corer to make a circular incision in the centre of each cupcake. Take out the middle and fill each cavity with ½ teaspoon of lemon curd.
• When the icing has set, put it into a disposable piping bag. Cut the end off the bag, making a medium-sized circular hole, then pipe a double ring around the edge of the lemon curd, and fill the gap with the remaining lemon curd.
• Sprinkle the biscuit topping around the icing ring, trying to avoid the lemon curd centre.

Top tips for making lemon cheesecake cupcakes

‘With their unusual cheesecake topping, which works really well with the tangy lemon curd, these cupcakes make a great dessert’, says Martha. You could also finish the cupcakes with a fresh raspberry or a small mint leaf for a pop of colour. Both compliment the flavours of the cakes and will look attractive too. 

These cupcakes need to be stored in the fridge, where they will keep for up to three days. It’s best to keep them in an airtight container. For more tips, including an explanation on the reverse creaming method used by Martha, continue reading below. 

You might also like our lemon cupcakes if you enjoy the flavours of this recipe. Alternatively, have a look at our cheesecake recipes for dessert inspiration or bake our lemon drizzle cake for an easy, popular bake.

Whether you are hosting cream tea with the family or practicing before you enter the next series of The Great British Bake Off, Paul Hollywood’s scones are simple to make, baked in just 10 minutes. 

One way to ensure perfectly soft and fluffy scones each time you bake them is by following Paul Hollywood’s clever tip of swapping standard self-raising flour for bread flour instead. This will lighten the mixture, meaning no more dense texture when serving. Top with fresh clotted cream, and strawberry jam and enjoy as part of an afternoon tea spread, or simply with a hot cuppa. 

Ingredients

For the scones:

• 500g strong bread flour, plus a little extra for rolling out
• 80g softened butter, plus a little extra to grease the baking tray
• 80g caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 25g baking powder
• 250ml oz milk
• 1 free-range egg, beaten with a little salt (for glazing)

For the scones filling:

• Butter
• Good-quality strawberry or raspberry jam
• Clotted cream

You'll also need:

• Round pastry cutter (about 7.5cm/3in wide)

Method

1. Weigh out the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan assisted)/425°F/gas mark 7. Lightly butter and line a flat baking tray with baking parchment or silicone paper (not greaseproof).
2. Put 450g/15 1/2oz of the flour into a large bowl and add the butter. Rub the flour and butter together with your fingers to create a crumble/breadcrumb-like mixture.
3. Add the sugar, eggs and baking powder and use a wooden spoon to turn the mixture gently. Make sure you mix all the way down to the bottom and incorporate all of the ingredients.
4. Now add half of the milk and keep turning the mixture gently with the spoon to combine. Then add the remaining milk a little at a time and bring everything together into a very soft, wet dough. You may not need to add all of the milk.
5. Put most of the remaining flour onto a clean work surface. Tip the soft dough onto the flour and sprinkle the rest of the flour on top. The mixture will be wet and sticky.
6. Lightly chaff the mixture - use your hands to fold the dough in half, and then turn the dough a quarter turn and repeat. By folding and turning the mixture in this way, you incorporate the last of the flour and add air. Do this a few times until you’ve formed a smooth dough. If the mixture is too sticky use some extra flour to coat your hands or the mixture to make it more manageable. Be careful not to overwork your dough.
7. Next roll the dough out: sprinkle flour onto the work surface and the top of the dough. Use the rolling pin to roll up from the middle and then down from the middle. Turn the dough a quarter turn and repeat until it's about 2.5cm/1in thick. Relax the dough slightly by lifting the edges and allowing the dough to spring back.
8. Using a pastry cutter, stamp out rounds and place them onto the baking tray. Once you’ve cut 4 or 5 rounds you can re-work and re-roll the dough to make it easier to cut out the remaining rounds. Any left-over dough can be worked and rolled again using a rolling pin, but the resulting scones won’t be as fluffy.
9. Place the scones on the baking tray and leave them to rest for a few mins to let the baking powder work. Then use a pastry brush (or your finger if you don’t have a brush) to glaze them with the beaten egg and salt mixture. Be careful to keep the glaze on the top of the scones. If it runs down the sides it will stop them rising evenly.
10. Bake in the middle of the oven for 15 mins, or until the scones are risen and golden. Leave the scones to cool, then split in half and add butter, jam and clotted cream to serve.

Top tips for making Paul Hollywood's scones:

To make the best scones, make sure you read and follow the method and allow time to carefully combine the ingredients as overworking the dough can lead to a tough bake that does not rise. 

Paul Hollywood advises when cutting the scone pastry to create that iconic scone shape, to not twist the cutter when lifting as it will negatively affect the rise. Push the cutter down and lift at the same angle for a clean cut and better rise. 

To help elevate Paul Hollywood’s scones we’d recommend making homemade strawberry jam. Or you can try out our classic scone recipe to perfect your rise. You might also like to see what other Paul Hollywood recipes we have on Goodto - including his famous strawberry tarts and cob loaf. 

The Paul Hollywood farmhouse loaf recipe is a fail-safe way to make the perfect white bread every time.

This Paul Hollywood white loaf recipe is great for Saturday lunch, sliced thick into sandwiches with lashings of butter. The Great British Bake Off judge is, of course, a top baker - and bread is his speciality. Here, he’s landed on the ideal method to create a crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside farmhouse loaf that ticks all the right boxes. Wrap it in parchment paper before slicing to keep it fresh for up to three days on the kitchen side.

Ingredients

• 500g/1lb 1oz strong white bread flour, plus a little extra flour for finishing
• 40g/1½oz soft butter
• 12g/2 sachets fast-action dried yeast
• 2 tsp salt
• About 300ml/10¾fl oz tepid water (warm, not cold – about body temperature)
• A little olive or sunflower oil

Method

1. Put the flour into a large mixing bowl and add the butter. Add the yeast at one side of the bowl and add the salt at the other, otherwise the salt will kill the yeast. Stir all the ingredients with a spoon to combine.
2. Add half of the water and turn the mixture round with your fingers. Continue to add water a little at a time, combining well, until you’ve picked up all of the flour from the sides of the bowl. You may not need to add all of the water, or you may need to add a little more – you want a dough that is well combined and soft, but not sticky or soggy. Mix with your fingers to make sure all of the ingredients are combined and use the mixture to clean the inside of the bowl. Keep going until the mixture forms a rough dough.
3. Use about a teaspoon of oil to lightly grease a clean work surface (using oil instead of flour will keep the texture of the dough consistent). Turn out your dough onto the greased work surface (make sure you have plenty of space).
4. Fold the far edge of the dough into the middle of the dough, then turn the dough by 45 degrees and repeat. Do this several times until the dough is very lightly coated all over in olive oil.
5. Now use your hands to knead the dough: push the dough out in one direction with the heel of your hand, then fold it back on itself. Turn the dough by 90 degrees and repeat. Kneading in this way stretches the gluten and makes the dough elastic. Do this for about 4 or 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and stretchy. Work quickly so that the mixture doesn’t stick to your hands – if it does get too sticky you can add a little flour to your hands.
6. Clean and lightly oil your mixing bowl and put the dough back into it. Cover with a damp tea towel or lightly oiled cling film and set it aside to prove. This gives the yeast time to work: the dough should double in size. This should take around one hour, but will vary depending on the temperature of your room (don’t put the bowl in a hot place or the yeast will work too quickly).
7. Line a baking tray with baking or silicone paper (not greaseproof).
8. Once the dough has doubled in size scrape it out of the bowl to shape it. The texture should be bouncy and shiny. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knock it back by kneading it firmly to 'knock' out the air. Use your hand to roll the dough up, then turn by 45 degrees and roll it up again. Repeat several times. Gently turn and smooth the dough into a round loaf shape.
9. Place the loaf onto the lined baking tray, cover with a tea towel or lightly oiled cling film and leave to prove until it’s doubled in size. This will take about an hour, but may be quicker or slower depending on how warm your kitchen is.
10. Preheat the oven to 220°C/ 200°C fan/425°F/Gas Mark 7. Put an old, empty roasting tin into the bottom of the oven.
11. After an hour the loaf should have proved (risen again). Sprinkle some flour on top and very gently rub it in. Use a large, sharp knife to make shallow cuts (about 1cm/½in deep) across the top of the loaf to create a diamond pattern.
12. Put the loaf (on its baking tray) into the middle of the oven. Pour cold water into the empty roasting tray at the bottom of the oven just before you shut the door – this creates steam which helps the loaf develop a crisp and shiny crust.
13. Bake the loaf for about 30 minutes.
14. The loaf is cooked when it’s risen and golden. To check, take it out of the oven and tap it gently underneath – it should sound hollow. Turn onto a wire rack to cool.

Tips for making Paul Hollywood's white loaf:

Make sure you’re not under- or over-kneading your dough. To check it’s perfect before going in the oven, see if it stretches two to four inches without breaking.

A classic British biscuit, Paul Hollywood shows you how to make the perfect gingernut.

Paul Hollywood’s classic gingernut biscuits are made with light brown sugar and spiced with ground ginger. This recipe also uses golden syrup which gives them a sweet kick and a golden glow once baked. But where’s the nut you might ask? Well, ginger nuts get their name not from the ingredients, rather from the fact that they are "hard as a nut". While they don’t want them to be so hard you’ll break your teeth on them, a good ginger nut should have a satisfying snap when broken into. It's this texture that means they hold their shape brilliantly when dunked in tea.  This recipe makes around 40 biscuits, so it’s worth noting that gingernuts also make a perfect buttery biscuit base for a lemon cheesecake.

Ingredients

• 340g/12oz plain flour
• 1 level tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2 level tsps ground ginger
• 100g/4oz butter
• 160g light brown sugar
• 4 tblsp golden syrup
• 1 large egg, beaten

Method

1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4.
2. Line the baking trays with grease proof paper.
3. Put all the dry ingredients into a bowl. Rub in butter with finger tips until it looks like bread crumbs. Stir in the sugar then the syrup and the beaten egg. Bring it all together to form a smooth pastry dough.
4. On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough to be about 8mm thick. Using a 2” straight-sided round cutter, cut out biscuits until all the biscuit dough is used up. Place on baking trays ensuring enough room is left for slight expansion of the biscuit.
5. Chill on the baking trays for 20 minutes in fridge.
6. Cook for 10-15 minutes until golden brown. Remove from tray with palette knife and place on a cooling rack.

Top tip for making Paul Hollywood's gingernut biscuits

If you find the dough is becoming elastic and hard to roll, wrap it in cling film and chill it for 10min to allow the gluten to relax.

This classic focaccia recipe by Great British Bake Off star, Paul Hollywood, is simple, delicious and extremely versatile.

Tear up and dip this focaccia into a good olive oil and balsamic, load with delicious cheese and ham, or dunk into summer dips like hummus, tzatziki or taramasalata. A well-baked focaccia is made from quite a wet dough which, after kneading and proving, is left full of the bubbles, that will create a light, sponge-like texture. 

However, to stop the bread collapsing, it is important to reduce the air content. This is done by creating the dimples, that gives focaccia its unique character. Dimpling can be done with wet fingers, or by poking indents with the oiled handle of your wooden spoon.

Ingredients

• 140ml olive oil, plus extra for kneading and to finish
• 500g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
• 360ml cool water
• 10g salt
• 10g instant yeast
• Fine semolina for dusting (optional)

To finish:

• Dried oregano
• Flaky sea salt

Method

1. Lightly oil a 2–3 litre square plastic container. (Make sure you use a square tub as it helps shape the dough.)
2. Tip the flour into a large mixing bowl and add the yeast to one side of the bowl and the salt to the other.
3. Add three-quarters of the water and 40ml of olive oil, and turn the mixture round with your fingers. Continue to add water, a little at a time, until you’ve picked up all the flour from the sides of the bowl. You may not need to add all the water, or you may need to add a little more. You want your dough to be very soft – wetter than a standard bread dough. Use the mixture to clean the inside of the bowl and keep going until the mixture forms a rough dough.
4. Coat the work surface with some of the remaining olive oil, then tip the dough onto it and begin to knead. Knead for around 5–10 minutes. Work through the initial wet stage until the dough starts to form a soft, smooth skin. (It's best to avoid adding any more flour as it is supposed to have a wet, sticky consistency.)
5. When your dough feels soft and elastic, put the dough into the oiled tub. Cover with a tea towel and leave to rise until at least doubled in size – about 1 hour.
6. Line 2 baking trays with baking parchment and drizzle with olive oil.
7. Put more olive oil on the work surface and dust with fine semolina if you have some. Carefully tip the dough onto the surface. Handle the dough very gently so you keep as much air in it as possible. Divide the dough in half. Stretch each piece out to a flat, even piece and place on a baking tray.
8. Put each tray into a clean plastic bag and leave to prove for about 1 hour, until the dough is doubled in size and springs back quickly if you prod it lightly with your finger.
9. Meanwhile, heat your oven to 220˚C/425˚F/Gas Mark 7.
10. Use your fingers to make deep dimples in the focaccia, pushing them all the way through the dough to the bottom. Drizzle each focaccia with olive oil and sprinkle with a little flaky sea salt and oregano, then bake for 15 minutes, or until cooked through.
11. Tap the bottom of the focaccia and you should hear a hollow sound. Trickle with more olive oil, then cool on a wire rack.

Top tip for making Paul Hollywood's focaccia

The dough is really wet so you might prefer to make it in a mixer – although a focaccia is a good bread to make by hand if you're trying to learn, as it's easier to handle then other breads like, ciabatta.

Mary Berry's chocolate fudge cake is a flourless bake infused with rich chocolate, nutty almonds, and a hint of coffee.

Topped with rich chocolate icing, Mary Berry's chocolate fudge cake needs no filling. The fudgy texture of this cake makes it seem like one giant brownie. Just like Mary's classic chocolate cake recipe, we'd recommend serving this mouth-watering fudge cake warm with lashings of cream or a scoop or two of ice cream. 

Ingredients

For fudge cake:

• 6 large eggs, 5 of them separated
• 215g (7½oz) caster sugar
• 265g (9½oz) plain chocolate (39 per cent cocoa solids)
• 1 level tsp instant coffee granules
• 1tsp hot water
• 150g (5oz) ground almonds

For the chocolate icing:

• 4tbsp apricot jam
• 225g (8oz) plain chocolate (39 per cent cocoa solids)
• 100g (4oz) unsalted butter

Method

1. To make this chocolate cake, pre-heat the oven to 190°C/Fan 170°C/Gas 5. Grease a 23 cm (9 in) deep round cake tin then line the base with baking parchment.
2. Place the egg yolks and whole egg in a large bowl with the sugar and beat together until thick and light in colour. Melt the chocolate gently in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally. Dissolve the coffee granules in the water and add to the melted chocolate. Cool slightly, then stir into the egg mixture along with the ground almonds.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Carefully fold into the egg and chocolate mixture. Turn into the prepared tin and gently level the surface.
4. Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 50 minutes or until well risen, and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes then turn out, peel off the parchment and finish cooling on a wire rack.
5. Measure the apricot jam into a small saucepan and allow to melt over a low heat. Brush over the cake. To make the icing, melt the chocolate gently in a bowl set over a pan of hot water, stirring occasionally. Add the butter and stir until the icing has the consistency of thick pouring cream, cooling if necessary.
6. Stand the wire rack on a baking tray to catch any drips, then pour the icing over the cake smoothing it over the top and sides with a palette knife. Allow to set, then decorate if you like. This recipe is featured in Mary Berry’s Baking Bible.

Top tips for making Mary Berry's chocolate fudge cake

Before topping this chocolate sponge cake with the chocolate icing, Mary Berry uses apricot jam as a crumb coat to stop the crumbs from the chocolate cake from getting mixed into the chocolate icing. It also helps the chocolate icing to stick to the cake. If you don’t have apricot jam you could opt for other jams instead like strawberry, raspberry, or blackberry. 

Mary Berry uses instant coffee granules in this recipe. The coffee deepens and enhances the flavor of the chocolate sponge and gives the overall cake a more mature chocolaty flavor. If you're not a fan of coffee, however, you could swap for 1 level tsp of cocoa powder instead.

You might also like...

• Mary Berry's lemon drizzle cake
• Mary Berry's flapjack recipe
• Chocolate brownies