[S12E1] Cake Week [Extra Quality]

For the signature challenge, the bakers were given a classic bake to put their own signature spin on. This week they were asked to make 12 decorative mini rolls. They had two hours to make them and could use any flavors they wanted, but an elegant swirl in the middle was expected.

[S12E1] Cake Week

For their showstopper challenge, the challenge where style matters as much as substance, they had to make an anti-gravity illusion cake. They had four hours to decorate a cake in a way that represents a precious memory to them. The judges wanted to be wowed and not be able to figure out how the cakes were still standing. This challenge served to divide the bakers once again, with some amazing designs and some disasters.

Twelve new contestants make their way into the famous tent, hoping they have what it takes to bake their way to the final. They start off with cake week, and a signature challenge in which they must produce 12 mini rolls, before working out the recipe for a nostalgic teatime classic in the technical.

For the signature challenge, the bakers were tasked with making 12 decorative mini rolls, in two hours. The technical challenge, set by Prue, required the bakers to make a malt loaf served with homemade butter, in two hours. In the showstopper challenge, the bakers were given four hours to create an anti-gravity illusion cake, representing a precious memory.

The signature challenge tasked the bakers with making two types of 12 German biscuits, which needed to be dipped, coated, or decorated, in two hours 15 minutes. For the technical challenge, Prue asked the bakers to make a Prinzregententorte, consisting of 8 thin layers of genoises sponge sandwiched with chocolate cream, coated with a shiny chocolate ganache, decorated with rosettes and tempered chocolate crowns, in two hours 45 minutes. The showstopper gave the bakers four and a half hours to produce a yeast-leavened cake. The cakes must be at least two-tiered and inspired by the yeasted cakes popular in Germany.

The finalists were set the task of making a carrot cake in 2 hours and 15 minutes for the signature challenge. For the final technical challenge, set by Paul, the bakers were given 2 hours and 30 minutes to create 12 Belgian buns filled with sultanas and lemon curd, with only 2 instructions given. For the ultimate showstopper challenge, the bakers were tasked to make a Mad Hatter tea party display with sweet and savory afternoon tea treats, showcasing at least 4 different baking disciplines in 4 1/2 hours. The judges expect to see the madness feel of Alice in Wonderland in the bakes.

For the signature challenge, the bakers were asked to create 12 buns, suitable for a New Year's day Breakfast, the buns can be any flavor or shape, but must be yeasted and feature a topping of the baker's choice, 3 hours are given. Paul's technical challenge required the bakers to make a New Years Eve cake inspired by the traditional Greek Vasilopita, consisting of a perfectly baked lemon mahleb and mastika sponge and decorated with water icing, lemon curd and crystallized citrus peel in 1 hour and 30 minutes. A shadow box winter scene with a frame, to all be created with at least 3 different biscuits in 4 hours is the showstopper.

In the season premiere, team Mixin Vixens prepared a lifesize cake based on the theme of a vampire who invited everyone to his tea party but no one showed up. The team captured the vampire's anger with broken cups and plates. The judges loved the details on the figure and the blood splatters on the teeth.

Team Eerie Eats made a cake representing a werewolf who wanted to win the throne and had two faces of the Queen and King mounted on a wooden plank for decoration. Judges were blown away by the detailed wrinkled faces and hair. Their mask, a required item, was broken, but they managed to make one quickly.

The competition kicks off with cake in the Cotswolds, then moves to Scotland to tackle biscuit baking, then Sandwich in Kent for bread, Bakewell in Derbyshire for puddings, Mousehole in Cornwall for the pastry challenges, and London for the grand final.

Season 12 of Vera is finally premiering this evening (January 29) on ITV1 and ITVX at 8pm. The previous weeks have seen episodes from season 11 aired after filming was affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The opening instalment of season 12 is titled Against the Tide and sees detective Vera Stanhope (played by Brenda Blethyn) and her team heading to a remote lighthouse after a body is found lashed to a sailboat.

1) During the Introduction, Fay prepared a cake using basic ingredients in front of the audience and baked it in a microwave. Just before Round 3, the cake was ready and she presented a slice to Jimmy. 041b061a72