With the arrival of the 12th season of the much-loved show, one can’t help but bring the experience of The Great British Bake Off straight into the heart of their homes. The delicious world of home-baking is vast and wonderful, and there’s never been a better time to put on your chef’s hat and step into your kitchen.
Picture this: the year was 2010, and the beginning of a unique British tradition was taking off. The Great British Bake Off came onto our screens, bringing with it a refreshing wave of baked delicacies, talented bakers, and not to mention, a whole lot of baking disasters. The lure of custard tarts, savarin, and Viennese whirls right from our television screens had us captivated.
Fast forward to today, how I miss those innocent college days! Despite now being miles away from the UK, I continue to uphold the tradition of celebrating the arrival of new episodes of the Show, often involving an array of baked goods enjoyed with friends, neighbors, and sometimes, all by myself!
Having once lived in Britain during my college years, the weekly dessert potlucks became something of a lifeline. Munching our way through slices of pies and cream puffs, we turned up our eyes and clapped our hands in joy and nerve-racking anticipation as the bakers in the show showcased their metaled crafts. Now, as another season comes in full swing, it’s time to put together a list of our favorite pastries – a handful of sweet treats that we could make right at home.
There isn’t any dearth of options when it comes to sweet treats. Think about Millionaire’s Shortbread – a typical American version that’s disappointingly sweet, not quite hitting the right notes. However, a homemade variant is instantly more appealing – combining a crumbly shortbread base with a richly flavored butterscotch filling, topped with dark chocolate. The result? A decadent treat that’s savory and just sweet enough, without being too cloying.
Next comes the Old-Fashioned Jelly Roll, a creation of light, airy goodness. Here’s an age-old favorite that brings back the charm of classic victoria sponge, a traditional British dessert that features a delightful marriage of strawberry jam and whipped cream, sandwiched between two tender sponge cakes, dusted with a hint of powdered sugar.
Who could forget Cream Puffs, the charming little treats that consist of choux pastry and a filling of your choice? And if you prefer a crisp and crumbly texture that you can savor bite by bite, butter-rich Shortbread Cookies would be your best bet. With an effortless dough that needs just one bowl and barely five minutes, its a surefire hit amongst your guests.
Some sweets don’t need an introduction: Sticky Toffee Pudding, drenched in the double indulgence of butter and brown sugar, and deep caramel notes deriving from dates, making it a much-loved British dessert. On the same note, Genoise Sponge, an elegant, airy sponge cake that frequently prevails in the baking show, with bakers skillfully folding in their flour harboring whipped eggs and sugar to avoid deflating the delicate batter. Or Classic Éclairs, enrobed in dark chocolate, their delightfully crisp pâte à choux filled with pastry cream. Done right, the éclair is a thing of beauty!
In the end, remember that baking is a joyful escapade, a delightful journey shared with family, friends or blissful solitude. With every oven beep, every checkmate moment at pulling out a tray of perfectly risen cakes, we find a piece of serene quietude. So, tie up your apron, pull out your baking trays, and immerse yourself in the sweet art of baking. As they famously say on the show, “Ready…set…bake!”
