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Original poster

Help me win Bake Off!

87 replies

HighlighterPenPot · 20/10/2023 13:54

Every year my office has a Bake Off competition for charity- everyone bakes, eats and then votes (blind) on what they like best.

For the last three years I have come second every time 😂

What sort of thing should I make to up my chances? What would you like to eat in an office bake off?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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olderbutwiser · 20/10/2023 13:57

More information needed to plan your campaign. What won, and what did you make that got you second place?

Original poster
HighlighterPenPot · 20/10/2023 14:00

olderbutwiser · 20/10/2023 13:57

More information needed to plan your campaign. What won, and what did you make that got you second place?

I think my stuff is too plain- Victoria sponge etc. The winners are fancier, although not like showstoppers on the show!

OP posts:
NotFastButFurious · 20/10/2023 14:01

Is there anything related to your business that you could theme your bake as?

Caspianberg · 20/10/2023 14:03

Millionares shortbread.

PerspiringElizabeth · 20/10/2023 14:06

Nanaimo bars 😍😍😍 although might be too ‘out there’ for some….. really not out there though if you ask me 😄

Hummingbird Bakery Black bottom cupcakes are heavenly

Hummingbird cake (not related to hummingbird bakery I don’t think)

Some kind of cheesecake??

LostThestral · 20/10/2023 14:11

a really good chocolate brownie would be my winner or anything peanut butter based.

Maybe a peanut butter chocolate brownie 😁

ScarboroughHair · 20/10/2023 14:16

I'd go for something a bit different from the usual chocolate/caramel/vanilla. At this time of year I'd probably go for something that incorporates warm spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. Pumpkin pie, apple cake maybe?

Sourisblanche · 20/10/2023 14:18

I follow Nigella on twitter and her Chocolate Guinness Cake gets rave reviews from people who have made it for others. It seems to be the cake that comes up most often.

Laurdo · 20/10/2023 14:19

Coffee and walnut cake, black Forest gateau, lemon tart, bannofee pie.

Bristolnewcomer · 20/10/2023 14:22

ours was won by something chocolatey and boozey

G&T drizzle cake? although that's more summery

LaurieStrode · 20/10/2023 14:22

ScarboroughHair · 20/10/2023 14:16

I'd go for something a bit different from the usual chocolate/caramel/vanilla. At this time of year I'd probably go for something that incorporates warm spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. Pumpkin pie, apple cake maybe?

Good idea. Cinnamon roll or fall/harvest log (like a yule log) might be an alternative.

When is contest? Need more info.

madmumofteens · 20/10/2023 14:25

Hummingbird carrot cake I won best showstopper and best bake at work with that 😋 x

shrodingersvaccine · 20/10/2023 14:33

I came second to a chocolate and lime marble loaf cake once (still bitter about it as it was undecorated and DRY, and I'd done a multitier chocolate extravaganza)

CurlewKate · 20/10/2023 14:40

Google Nigella's Lemon Meringue Cake (can't link for some reason) It's delicious and pretty-particularly with a bit of glitter.

UnIucky · 20/10/2023 14:41

I’ve won twice in two different offices with this flavour:

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/elderflower-lemon-celebration-cake

I soak the sponges in an elderflower syrup (50/50 sugar and water with elderflower cordial to taste) which keeps it very moist (doesn’t make it taste any sweeter). I add homemade sharp lemon curd inbetween the layers and use 50/50 butter and stork.

I don’t even like lemon cake or elderflower but somehow this works.

Lemon & elderflower celebration cake recipe | BBC Good Food

Decorate this simple elderflower and lemon cake with edible flowers for a showstopping celebration dessert. It's perfect for a wedding or birthday

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/elderflower-lemon-celebration-cake

ModeWeasel · 20/10/2023 14:43

What sort of thing usually wins?

rbe78 · 20/10/2023 14:58

Anything from the Hummingbird bakery tends to be a winner - delicious and good looking.

These tiramisu cupcakes are fricking amazing, but one of their whole cakes might be more spectacular looking than cupcakes I guess.

ActDottie · 20/10/2023 15:09

Chocolate!!! I always vote for the chocolate cakes!

NotFastButFurious · 20/10/2023 15:19

The Hummingbird Bakery brooklyn blackout cake recipe is lovely for a chocolate cake. I found the "custard" they decorate it with a bit messy but it tasted good. Or their carrot cake recipe is excellent with cream cheese frosting (omit the nuts to maximise your voting audience)

reabies · 20/10/2023 15:38

Seconding the vote for Nigella's chocolate guinness cake - a firm favourite in my friendship group since one friend made it for a birthday about 10 years ago. Everyone is absolutely buzzing if my friend brings it to a party. Made it for myself one year too, it is just so good.

Storynanny1 · 20/10/2023 15:41

Hummingbird red velvet cupcakes, mars bar rice crispy cake or chocolate brownies

Storynanny1 · 20/10/2023 15:42

Or a filo pastry type fresh cream slice thingy

Persiana · 20/10/2023 15:42

I'd either go for a really good lemon drizzle, or chocolate brownies with some sort of addition that makes them a bit special. I don't like dry looking cake and I think some flavours are more niche- like coffee cake, or even carrot cake, and a Victoria sponge has to be perfection to win