Featuring a comforting mix of traditional cakes, disastrous bakes and convivial contestants who will warm your heart, The Great British Bake Off is unmissable TV – whether you love baking or not. To celebrate everyone's favorite foodie contest, we've rounded up the most memorable showstoppers from the past 14 seasons, from blackbirds baked in a pie to a gingerbread windmill (and a very famous baked Alaska).
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover The Great British Bake Off's best-ever showstoppers, counting down to the most fabulous of them all. How many do you remember?
We've based our ranking on the deliciousness and showstopping appearance of each bake, and on the opinions of our well-traveled (and well-fed) team. The list is unavoidably subjective.
Famous for his Fair Isle tank tops, Scottish medical student James won viewers' hearts with his delicious and technically adventurous bakes. The finest of all? A three-foot (91cm) wide bicycle made from choux pastry. His impressive coffee, caramel, and hazelnut–flavored Paris-Brest won him the Star Baker title and a place in the series three final, where he eventually lost out to John Whaite.
Known for her wide range of emotive facial expressions and fun-loving nature, Sri Lankan–born baker Saku was a real fan favorite throughout series 14. We think her most fabulous creation was this glossy turtle cake from week one of the competition – a bake that may have looked spectacular on the outside, but which Paul Hollywood thought was a little bit stodgy in the middle.
Tamal made it all the way to the final of the sixth series (all while studying to be a doctor), and the bake he's best remembered for was a real stunner. His elaborate sticky toffee pudding wedding cake had a design inspired by a deserted Chinese fishing village and involved many complex techniques, including some expert sugar spinning. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite enough to win the competition overall; Tamal eventually lost out to Nadiya Hussain.
Not only was electronics engineer Abdul beloved by fans during season 13, but his outer space–themed bakes frequently charmed the judges. The galaxy mousse he created for dessert week was undoubtedly beautiful, with an incredibly glossy mirror finish and immaculate handmade chocolate planets. However, the judges were ultimately disappointed by the bake’s slightly rubbery texture.
Flora’s intricate white chocolate and biscuit carousel certainly looked the part, but it collapsed just before it could be judged. Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood agreed it didn't taste as good as it looked, and the baking fail caused Flora to crash out of the competition just before 2015's Bake Off final. She was the first ever baker to finish first in the technical challenge, but also be eliminated in the same week.
There was strong competition going into the 2023 final, and many thought Josh Smalley was a sure winner. But it was Matty Edgell who took the crown in the end, thanks in no small part to his fantastic final showstopper. He took an artistic approach to decorating his celebration cake, which Paul Hollywood described as 'absolutely delicious' – despite the fact that it started to lean, threatening to topple completely.
When accounting and finance student Peter was crowned winner in 2020, he became the show's youngest ever champion. He was a consistent performer throughout series 11, but it was this fabulous dessert tower that really sealed the deal. Peter’s finale showstopper consisted of a Victoria sponge cake topped with blackberry and lemon choux buns, followed by a puffed rice Christmas tree decorated with friand Christmas puddings and checkerboard chocolate biscuits.
In series five, the bakers were asked to put their skills to the test by making a 3D biscuit showstopper. Although Chetna wasn’t named Star Baker, her quaint and colorful beach scene, complete with striped beach huts and a carousel, was certainly memorable.
For dessert week in series 10, the bakers were challenged with producing a particularly complex showstopper: a jelly art cake, which had to include a mousse, a baked sponge, and an artistic jelly design – all in just four hours and 30 minutes. All of the bakers did well in the end, but it was Hermine’s stunning creation, which featured a clear jelly dome housing a delicate Japanese poppy, that earned her the Star Baker title.
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Yan started series eight strong with one of the best illusion cakes in Bake Off history: a 'banana-ramen' cake. The bake was intricately detailed, with glossy salmon roe and icing noodles that looked amazingly realistic. The judges were suitably impressed, with Paul Hollywood calling it 'a work of art.'
Cristy often impressed in the tent with her attention to detail and neat finishes. When faced with making a biscuit illusion early on in the competition, she seized the opportunity to show what she was capable of. Her charcuterie board offered a delicious spread of faux meats, cheeses, crackers, and even gherkins – and it looked good enough to convince the staunchest of savory snackers to order dessert.
Known for her thoughtful and unique bakes, Ruby was named Star Baker three times in series four – but her most impressive showstopper was a magical dairy-free carrot cake decorated to look like an allotment plot, complete with a chocolate shed and tiny edible shoots and flowers.
Tasha made history as the first deaf contestant to use British Sign Language on the show, but that’s not the only way she left her mark in the tent. One of her most impressive bakes was her intricately plaited Medusa bread, shaped like the mythical gorgon who could turn people to stone. The judges loved it so much that they dubbed Tasha Star Baker in bread week.
Fan favorite Brendan finished in the top two in virtually every episode of series three, and was known for his sophisticated, subtly flavored bakes – so it was a surprise to everyone when he crafted this Disney-esque gingerbread birdhouse, complete with Shredded Wheat thatched roof and coconut lawn. Paul Hollywood said it gave him nightmares, but we thought it was adorable.
For chocolate week in series 14, the bakers were tasked with creating an edible chocolate box, filled with cake and molded chocolates – and all-round baking whiz Cristy Sharp impressed judges and viewers alike with this pretty pink creation. Expertly made, with zero cracks and yummy-looking chocolates inside, it was titled 'For Love,' and Cristy dedicated it to her husband.
Liverpudlian grandmother Flo was Bake Off’s oldest-ever contestant – and she frequently stole the show during series eight, despite only lasting three weeks. She got off to an excellent start in the first episode with this incredible 'One in a Melon' cake, designed to look just like a watermelon.
Despite leaving series three in the early stages, Victoria created a truly memorable cake that saw her named Star Baker in the very first week of the competition. Inspired by the blackbird pie mentioned in the nursery rhyme 'Sing a Song of Sixpence,' her hidden design showstopper was a fantastic pie-cake hybrid that also delivered on flavor.
Who could forget this charming, intricately decorated toadstool cake made by series four finalist Kimberley? For the quarter finals, the bakers were tasked with making novelty dairy-free vegetable cakes, and Kimberley wowed with this delightful pumpkin spice–flavored creation.
Prison governor Paul produced a number of memorable bakes during his time on Bake Off (his extraordinary bread lion is number 10 on our list) – but this colorful island getaway cake sealed his place in the showstopper hall of fame. His ice cream roll, made with coconut ice cream and an almond sponge, is all the more impressive when you realize it’s also entirely dairy-free.
The first sign that series four winner Frances had serious star power came in week two, when she presented this brilliant bake: ginger and chili chocolate breadsticks disguised as giant matches, served inside a handmade matchbox. Who knew breadsticks could be so stylish?
We could've mistaken this remarkable BLT illusion cake for the real thing! Steven’s impressive faux loaf actually contained a perfectly made chocolate sponge, and the combination of great taste and stunning presentation won him the first Star Baker accolade of series eight.
Jürgen was frequently top of the class for his technically accomplished bakes – and this stunning free-standing gingerbread windmill saw him named Star Baker for the second week in a row during series 12. Mixing innovation with scientific precision, the showstopper even had moving sails. The judges praised the flavor and texture of Jürgen's delicate gingerbread, too.
Famous for his traditional Italian bakes, engineer Giuseppe was a solid performer throughout series 12 and eventually took the crown – despite coming last in the final technical challenge and being blighted by oven issues when baking his showstopper. His stunning Alice in Wonderland–themed tea party display included a giant tear-and-share brioche mushroom, an asparagus and pea choux caterpillar, and mango and passionfruit 'drink me' panna cottas, which the judges loved.
For Bake Off’s first-ever Halloween week, the contestants were tasked with making a hanging piñata lantern filled with sweet treats – and eventual series 13 winner Syabira’s eerie spider showstopper was easily the best of the bunch. After struggling the previous week and almost going home, the Malaysian baker made a heart-warming comeback and was named Star Baker, winning unanimous praise for her creation.
Chemist and keen rugby player Josh was a close contender for Bake Off champion in season 14 – though, in the end, Matty Edgell took the crown. In week two of the competition, Josh got a rare 'Hollywood Handshake' for his fabulous biscuit illusion showstopper, which was made with nutty, chocolatey Florentines and modeled on a fast food classic: a burger and fries, complete with wonderfully realistic 'tomato' slices.
Iain Watters stole the limelight in series five's dessert week, though not for his spectacular baking. In what was possibly the most dramatic moment in Bake Off history, Iain ended up throwing his melted baked Alaska in the bin after fellow contestant Diana Beard mistakenly took it out of the freezer. His decision to present Paul and Mary with nothing to judge contributed to his eventual elimination, though he did have the opportunity to remake the dish (pictured) on The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice.
Paul Hollywood described this magnificent lion loaf as 'one of the best things I’ve seen in bread, ever' – and, although contestant Paul wasn’t named Star Baker that episode, he did receive Bake Off’s first ever ‘special commendation.’ The stunning bread centerpiece was made with three different types of dough and came complete with edible almond claws and rosemary whiskers.
The 2023 semi-finalists were set the challenge of making a millefoglie, a super-sized Italian puff pastry creation (translating to 'a thousand layers'). Stacking delicate layers of flaky pastry with cream and fresh fruit without the whole thing falling apart under the pressure was tough, but Josh nailed the task. His supremely pretty bake featured the fruity flavors of lemon, blackberry and blackcurrant.
Nadiya is probably the biggest breakaway star from Bake Off, so it’s fascinating to go back and revisit the inspired bakes that made her the winner of series six. Throughout the competition, she dazzled the nation with her quirky twists on classic dishes – and this amazing three-tier cheesecake, topped with a floating can of fizzy pop, was one of the best. The cascading fizz coming from the can was actually meringue, and she spent hours reducing ginger beer, cream soda and lemonade to create flavored syrups for each of the cheesecake layers.
She was frequently criticized by the judges for favoring style over substance in her bakes – but by the series four finale, Frances had learned her lesson, pulling out all the stops with a magnificent wedding cake showstopper. Her three-tier cake had layers of ginger and rhubarb, lemon and raspberries, and apricot and pistachio, and the judges said each tasted 'superb.'
It wasn't the most technically impressive cake in Bake Off history, but Laura’s hilarious Freddie Mercury bake certainly raised a giggle in the tent. The bakers were tasked with making a 3D cake modeled after their personal heroes – and Laura, a finalist in 2020, chose to create a lemon and elderflower–flavored tribute to Queen's famous frontman.
John's gingerbread Roman colosseum was a feat of baking and engineering. Constructed from more than 50 perfectly uniform pieces of gingerbread biscuit, the magnificent multi-tiered structure was flavored with black treacle and strong ginger to represent the power of the building. John’s standout bake secured his place in the semi-final, and he eventually went on to win series three.
Series 10 finalist Alice established herself as one to watch early in the competition when she created this stunning chocolate and coconut biscuit lamb. Inspired by her time living in New Zealand, the adorable bake consisted of a spherical chocolate biscuit decorated with coconut macarons and white chocolate buttercream.
Loved by fans for her creative bakes and signature bright lipstick, series seven winner Candice wowed the judges with many of her showstoppers, from a marzipan peacock to a pearly kings and queens–themed picnic – but her most talked about showstopper was this charming gingerbread pub. Based on a real Bedfordshire inn, Candice’s creation came complete with a sticky ginger cake carpet and a pool table made from lime jelly.
Somerset vet Rosie was known for taking inspiration from her rural surroundings – so, when tasked with making a 3D sculpture, it came as no surprise that she chose to bake a tribute to her favorite pet, a chicken called Legs. The bird was made up of 212 individual tuile and gingerbread biscuits, and the judges were bowled over by its style and presentation.
For Danish week in series nine, the bakers had to make a kagemand or kagekone (a traditional Danish treat in the shape of a boy or a girl) using at least three different confectionery-making skills. For her showstopper, Ruby created a truly magical tribute to her sister: a frangipane and apricot–stuffed pastry decorated with ginger honeycomb and chocolate truffles. It won her the Star Baker title, and she went on to make it all the way to the finals.
Skillful and creative in equal measure, Kim-Joy put her signature quirky twist on every bake she made. It’s hard to pick a favorite (she also gave us a chandelier made out of iced biscuits and a Lost City of Atlantis dessert landscape), but her sensational lavender and lemon curd fox layer cake was utterly adorable – and most importantly, it tasted as delicious as it looked.
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Last updated by Laura Ellis.