The Great Bloggers Bake Off - week 8 - Rye Bread

It's now week 8 of the Great British Bake Off, quarter final week, how did that happen!

There were some lovely looking breads and cakes this week. I love vegetable cakes, especially with warm spices such as cinnamon....mmmm, so Christmassy (77 days left!)

Sadly we had to wave goodbye to Christine, although I did like the look of her bread, it looked so light especially considering it was gluten free.

I decided to try Rye bread this week as I'd already got a couple of sweet bakes planned for the week so we really didn't need anymore cake in the house (did I really say that?!). I used this simple looking recipe that I'd found and added some cinnamon to the dough with pecans and sultanas in one loaf and sultanas and cinnamon & maple butter in a rolled loaf.

Although I left the dough to prove for quite a while it did seem quite 'dense' (maybe more liquid needed?) so, despite tasting nice, I think I'll stick to my regular bread in future as I prefer a lighter bread, although after watching the show this week I would like to try Beca's Focaccia with potato.

 

To recap, the options for this week's bakes are :

• Signature (Loaves): a loaf that does not use traditional wheat flours, instead they must use flours such as Spelt, Rye, Potato or Tapioca
• Technical (Dacquoise) : which consists of 3 layers; coiled meringue, coffee custard and a hazelnut praline top
• Showstopper (Novelty Vegetable Cake) : which must be dairy free

Don't forget to check out the rules & get your badge here

 

The Great Bloggers Bake Off - Week 7 Round Up

Wow, what a choux-tastic week it has been in the Great Bloggers Bake Off. With no less than 17 choux creations, ranging from profiteroles to eclairs and nuns to angels. All looked amazing and it's just a shame that we don't get the opportunity to try them all like the real Mary & Paul do - maybe best though considering that myself & Jenny Berry are already a few pounds heavier than when this series started!

The suet puddings were also a popular choice this week, resulting in lots of happy family members and lots of full pudding laden tummies. I've never made Spotted Dick before but I really want to make one now. Sadly no-one made their own puff pastry as it seems everyone was too busy with choux to bother with all that rolling & folding and chilling - I can see why though as choux buns are pretty amazing morsels of amazingness. 

Here are all the fabulous entries from this week, the quietest of all the weeks so far....

Choux pastry

1. Mummy Mishaps 
2. Cafe Bebe
3. Tales of Pigling Bland
4. Wallflower Girl
5. Bluebird Sunshine
6. My Darlings & Me
7. Mummy Makes Cakes
8. Cakes Photos Life
9. Cupcake Mumma
10. Vanilla Stitches
11. A wannabe Foodie
12. My Cupcake Habit
13. A Mummy Too
14. Casa Costello
15. Cookies Cakes & Bakes
16. The Mins Mes & me
17. Missy B & Family

Suet Puddings

1. The Good Life Mum
2. Cakes Photos Life
3. Jennifer's Little World
4. Munchies & Munchkins
5. The Minis & Me
6. Cakes Photos Life
7. Multi Layer Mummy
8. Hijacked by Twins
9. Jo's Kitchen
10. Keynko
11. Carole Finds Her Wings

Puff Pastry

1. The Crazy Kitchen
2. Capture By Lucy
3. Helvetia Handmade

Fake Food

1. Here Come the Girls

I'm guessing that you're now wondering who the Star Baker for week 7 is then?

Well, myself and Jenny are pleased to announce that Star Baker this week is Mummy Makes Cakes with her Anges Duchés (fallen Angels - her made up name!). Jenny has not only made delicious looking choux buns filled with her own Creme Patissiere this week but has also made an Angel Food Cake with her leftover egg whites, on top of a batch of Halloween cupcakes, all whilst dealing with kids with chicken pox - my hat goes off to her! Well done Jenny, please get in touch with the other Jenny for your badge.

Many thanks to everyone that has joined in this week. Roll on week 8, the quarter final, to see what's in store for the bakers.