Come and chat to Bake off's PAUL HOLLYWOOD, Friday 10 October, 10-11am

[RachelMumsnet]

On the week that TV's most hot-contested baking challenge reaches its climax, we're thrilled that Paul Hollywood is returning to Mumsnet Towers. Paul last joined us back in February 2013 when he gave us his tips on bread-making. This Friday between 10 and 11am he will be on hand to help out with all your baking conundrums and of course give us the inside story on this year's GBBO.

Paul's latest book Paul Hollywood's British Baking is published this week and everyone who joins the webchat will be entered into a draw to win a SIGNED copy. If you're unable to join Paul on Friday morning, post a question in advance on this thread.

@mausmaus

hi paul,

I loved this series of the bakeoff and also your 'puds' programme.

I have a yeast question. why do you seem to prefer tasteless fast action yeast?

the flavour of 'normal' dried yeast is much better and comes closer to the taste of fresh yeast (and despite what it says on the pack it works fine in a bread maker)

my european heart bleeds trying brioche made with fast action yeast

Because there's no difference between the two. Fast action yeast keeps in your cupboard for months, whereas fresh yeast stinks out your fridge, is difficult to get hold of and doesn't last as long.

@Stupidhead

Hello Mr Male Judge!

Do you ever really fancy a bacon sandwich and trot to the shops to get a loaf of warburtons (other bread is available) or do you have a house full of home made bread?

On a side note, my OH says you have a 'puffs' bike, we have a Kwaka 1400 zzr

Yes I do that exactly. Have you seen me in the supermarket? Are you a stalker?....

Paul, you have made me very very happy. Thank you very much

Mmm, mausmaus has a point, which makes me want to know how much slower ordinary yeast is. It's comparatively hard to find round my way, though I currently have some and wondered if I could use it, but have no idea what the effect on timings will be.

@HattieFranks

Paul - what's the key to good scones? Kneading or not kneading and what do you use for the liquid part? Sour cream/milk etc? I am on a lifelong quest for the perfect scone. I've eaten one but the cafe I had it at wouldn't divulge the recipe - I don't blame them either, worth its weight in gold.

I use milk, and I also use strong white flour, as do most professional bakers. My recipe is online on the BBC website. Good luck!

Sorry for the two questions, but I'm taking my chance while I can!

What is a good staple for the PTA bake sales? My lemon drizzle always turns out like scrambled egg and my cornflake cakes have been rounded on for being "not proper cakes"! Any ideas?!

Here's a couple of pics of Paul as he arrived at Mumsnet HQ. He wasn't short of cakes to try out

pst ever I use the stuff in the yellow tin. doesn't 'stink the fridge out' last ages and tasted proper. ads 10 min to proving time ime

Paul, what great fun you're being today! Thanks for coming along

It's funny that baking goes in waves - cupcakes are now old hat and macarons are revolting on the way out. What do you think will be the next Big Thing?

I'm hoping you're going to say cookies because I think they're an under-researched and particularly delicious area and have lots of potential for invention. But I think you will say cream cakes like the divine entremets.

Hi Paul,
It's my birthday today! Tomorrow I'm having a GBBO party and I will post the pictures of what I'm baking on twitter. My question, could you pleeeeaaaase follow me on twitter -> @AnSlosse as my birthday present?? It would really make my day. Signed copy of your book would also be a great present :-D Would love to enter the next bake off but I live in Belgium, and bake of without Paul and Mary is not the real thing!

Hey, Marmalade - PTA should be damn grateful you baked, not criticize your cornflake cakes! Those always sell anyway, the kids love 'em

Yes, he is doing very well

@RachelCMumsnet

Hi Paul, another Rachel from MNHQ here welcome! I am in desperate need of your advice as I am making my friend's wedding cake, as my long-suffering colleagues are only too aware having already munched their way through two attempts.

It's a chocolate fruit cake - I've already had to abandon one recipe as I couldn't get it to bind properly, despite the addition/substitution of treacle, molasses and an extra egg, and am now using a Nigella one. I've not yet cut into this latest version, but have it here on my desk so we can have a slice with our coffee and hopefully you can advise me!

As you'll see from the pic, the dark brown specs are where the top of it crumbled when I spread the buttercream icing on, and it sunk in the middle a bit too - what can I do about this? This recipe doesn't have any brandy in, should I inject it for moistness? And any general advice you have on wedding cakes would be much appreciated - stacking, scaling down for the top tier, tins...and how on earth do you double-line them?!

in advance!

Do you use this at home to hold doors open?!
Where did you get this recipe from? I need to have a chat with Nigella...

It tastes like a Christmas pudding. Don't bother with chocolate fruit, just do a fruit cake....

Listen, I think you can change the bride's mind on the fruit and chocolate thing. If you go in my How To Bake book; put some fresh raspberries in the chocolate and almond cake.

Thanks Mausmaus - it was a second question, so I didn't really expect him to answer it anyway, so that's very helpful of you

I don't have a question, but want to say hi.

@rockpink

Dear Paul , Have you ever shaved off your beard, and would you do so for Children in Need?

I have shaved my beard and no I wouldn't shave it for CIN. I'm doing a lot of other things for CIN. My superhero character in Children in Need has got a beard – I can't change it!

Yes, we need to know about the good staples for a PTA cake sale

Oh I do have a question. Are you typing the answers or is it a mumsnet minion?

@Roseformeplease

My husband would love a really, really fruity (ooh er missus) Christmas cake. Any recipes or hints? I am an averagely good baker but have never made a rich fruit cake.

My How to Bake book there’s the best Christmas cake recipe ever. It’s fantastic. It’s my mother-in-laws, I adopted a while ago and it’s fantastic.

@MrsHathaway

Paul, what great fun you're being today! Thanks for coming along

It's funny that baking goes in waves - cupcakes are now old hat and macarons are revolting on the way out. What do you think will be the next Big Thing?

I'm hoping you're going to say cookies because I think they're an under-researched and particularly delicious area and have lots of potential for invention. But I think you will say cream cakes like the divine entremets.

I think things like crumpets, savoury things rather than sweet. Crumpets are a big winner. Or eccles cakes! anything that is done on a griddle, I think is a great new thing to try at home.

@slithytove

Oh I do have a question. Are you typing the answers or is it a mumsnet minion?

SophieB is doing it for me. I'm not quick enough!

@Montegomongoose

Love the show, don't change a thing!

Yeast terrifies me; I tried to make Christmas cinnamon Swedish buns roll things and it was monstrous. Just lay flatly bleeding cinnamon sugar through the bottom.

What are your top tips for using yeast and have you got a foolproof cinnamon roll recipe?

Use the instant yeast rather than fresh yeast, and a cinnamon roll recipe – there are plenty online! The key thing is instant yeast. There’s nothing scary about yeast. Make it be your friend not your enemy.

@TheCunkOfPhilomena

Yes, we need to know about the good staples for a PTA cake sale

A lemon drizzle, coffee and walnut cake, victoria sandwich, pork pies, a battenburg, a tray bake, a brownie etc!

I love macaroons, though hate the expense. I never got the cupcake thing really, especially as it meant my clever fairy cakes were no longer wanted (sniff)

@AnSlosse

Hi Paul, It's my birthday today! Tomorrow I'm having a GBBO party and I will post the pictures of what I'm baking on twitter. My question, could you pleeeeaaaase follow me on twitter -> @AnSlosse as my birthday present?? It would really make my day. Signed copy of your book would also be a great present :-D Would love to enter the next bake off but I live in Belgium, and bake of without Paul and Mary is not the real thing!

Big happy birthday! Hope you have a great day. Love Paul xx

Is your slow typing due to your luvverly baking fingers perchance?