Jen Rose Writes🌹

The bakers could really filo the pressure this week, as the competition creeps closer and closer to the final, in a series that’s been handshakes aplenty, filled with glorious bakes and plenty of nail biting moments.

( You can read my thoughts on the previous weeks: The Great British Bake Off Week 1, The Great British Bake Off Week 2, The Great British Bake Off Week 3, The Great British Bake Off: Week 4 and The Great British Bake Off: Week Five)

This week, the bakers faced Pastry Week and Paul and Prue were on the hunt for the perfect puff and fantastic filo- which some of the bakers delivered.

DISCLAIMER: SPOILERS FOR THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF, SERIES NINE EPISODE SIX AHEAD!

The bakers

This week, I think the girls (and Rahul, as usual) stood out. I’m just annoyed that Rahul hasn’t accepted, six weeks in, that he’s actually a good baker- he needs more confidence (which reminds me of my old school reports). Briony proved she was one to watch and Ruby, minus the technical, produced her fair share of great bakes this time around (which puts me in a good position for the sweep!).

The challenges

Pastry Week began with the Signature Challenge, where the bakers were asked to make 6 samosas (three sweet and three savoury), plus a dipping sauce to accompany them.

There are a few triumphs (did I mean handshakes? Yes I did!) in the tent but a few soggy samosas spoil the bakers chances!

Next up came the Signature Challenge, where the bakers were asked to make six Puits D’Amour (nope, me neither) which are puff and choux pastries with jam and creme pat (which, to me, just sounds like the most extra breakfast pastry ever).

There were a few hiccups, with reading recipes and baking times, but some bakers managed to produce pastries the judges loved.

Finally came the Showstopper Challenge, where Paul and Prue asked the bakers to create a handshaped pie, perfect for a banquet.

This produced a variety of results including mythical creatures, actual creatures and playable croquet!

Of course many bakers struggled, either with baking time, flavours or avoiding the dreaded Soggy Bottom (whilst one baker struggled getting the parchment off, we’ve all been there!).

The result

When it came to the reveal this week, Briony was crowned Star Baker which- considering her great work so far- has been a long time coming!

The baker to leave the tent was Dan, which was a shock if you thought about his performance in previous weeks.

This week really proved that anyone could win, as I’m not really sure who to root for.

Having survived Pastry Week, the bakers will face an all new Vegan Week- how trendy?

That’s it from me, for now, but you can expect a recipe post (I’m going in the archives for this one as I haven’t baked this week, sorry!) on Sunday and I’ll be back on Wednesday for all this Bake Off.

Did you watch tonight’s episode? What did you think?