This week’s episode of The Great British Bake Off put the bakers to the test with the much-anticipated Caramel Week. Fans eagerly awaited the results, as many viewers—myself included—tune in weekly to see if their favorites will remain in the competition.
Caramel Week is notoriously challenging, requiring bakers to carefully monitor sugar temperatures to avoid burnt caramel and unpleasant textures. Did they rise to the occasion?
Signature Challenge
The first challenge was to create caramel biscuits with each baker adding their unique twist. Last week’s Star Baker, Dylan, sported a stylish Peaky Blinders-esque hat and opted for pineapple to balance the sweetness of his caramel. While the judges, Prue and Paul, praised the flavor, Prue humorously noted that the cookies resembled something from a “UFO convention.”
Chistiaan, representing the Netherlands, impressed with spiced-nut stroopwafels, which received positive feedback. However, it was Georgie who stole the spotlight with her peanut butter chocolate cookies, earning nearly a handshake from Paul, who withdrew his hand at the sight of some cracks in her cookies.
In a surprising turn, Sumayah found herself in the bottom two due to unset caramel, a shock given her consistent performance. Nelly, whose vibrant personality has been a highlight this season, also struggled; her salted caramel cookies were deemed “stodgy,” which is a significant setback in the Bake Off world.
Technical Challenge
The technical challenge tasked bakers with making pear tarte tatin from an unfamiliar recipe. This particular challenge felt especially relevant to me, as I had enjoyed apple tatin at Pembroke’s formal hall that same evening. The bakers had to create a rough puff pastry base for their caramelized pears and make ice cream from scratch.
Struggles were evident from the start, particularly for Mike and Illiyan, who grappled with their custards. Nelly faced the most chaotic moment when host Noel inadvertently knocked her bowl of caramel onto the floor while joking with Andy, forcing her to scramble to reboil her sugar.
As is customary, the technical challenge was judged blindly. Andy landed in last place due to a “bitter” caramel, followed by Gill, Mike, and Nelly. The results saw Dylan, Illiyan, and Sumayah placing above her, while Georgie continued to shine, securing first place once again.
Showstopper Challenge
Heading into the showstopper challenge, Mike, Nelly, and Andy faced potential elimination, while Georgie and Chistiaan solidified their positions at the top. This week, bakers were tasked with creating a caramel mousse cake featuring at least two caramel components and elaborate sugar decorations, all within four and a half hours.
Nelly aimed to redeem herself with a cake dedicated to her husband, which was praised by Prue as “elegant” and “absolutely delicious,” effectively rescuing her from the brink of elimination.
Meanwhile, Sumayah’s banoffee pecan cake failed to impress with its lack of flavor and a decorative gloss described as “gloopy.” My concern for her increased significantly.
Mike also struggled; Paul expressed disappointment, likening Mike’s creation to a tiramisu rather than a mousse, criticizing its overwhelming sweetness.
Despite some setbacks, a few bakers shone through. Dylan was dubbed the “flavour king,” Chistiaan crafted a stunning gravity-defying sugar sculpture of a wave, and Georgie’s glass rose, though small, garnered positive reactions. Andy also made a successful sugar tree sculpture.
At the episode’s conclusion, my boyfriend and I were anxiously hoping for Sumayah’s survival. Thankfully, the baking gods seemed to favor her, as she advanced while Mike was eliminated. Georgie’s achievements earned her the title of Star Baker, marking a sweet victory in a challenging week.
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