The Great British Bake Off has given us countless mouthwatering recipes since it first aired.
From perfect pastries to showstopping cakes, these bakes have inspired millions to dust off their mixing bowls and get creative in the kitchen. Here's my ranking of the most delicious GBBO recipes!
1. Paul Hollywood's Classic Bread Rolls
Nothing beats the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through your home. These rolls have a perfectly crisp crust and pillowy-soft interior that will make you skip store-bought forever.
Master the famous Paul Hollywood handshake-worthy technique with just flour, yeast, salt and water. Even beginners can nail these!
2. Mary Berry's Victorian Sandwich Cake
Light as a feather sponge with the perfect jam-to-buttercream ratio. Mary's foolproof method ensures your cake rises evenly every time, avoiding the dreaded soggy bottom.
The secret? Room temperature ingredients and gentle folding. This classic never disappoints at afternoon tea and takes less than an hour from start to finish.
3. Nadiya Hussain's Chocolate Tart
Silky smooth chocolate ganache nestled in buttery shortcrust pastry. Series 6 winner Nadiya created this showstopper that looks professional but requires surprisingly little effort.
The contrast between the crisp shell and velvety filling makes this dessert utterly irresistible. Add a touch of sea salt on top to enhance the rich chocolate flavour.
4. Richard Burr's Tiramisu Cake
Forget traditional tiramisu – this cake version elevates the Italian classic to new heights! Coffee-soaked sponges layered with mascarpone cream create a dessert that's both familiar and surprising.
Richard's clever construction ensures it stands tall without collapsing. The dusting of cocoa powder on top provides that essential bitter note to balance the sweetness.
5. Candice Brown's Gingerbread Pub
Remember that incredible edible pub that won hearts in the 2016 final? The combination of warming ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg creates a biscuit that's as delicious as it is decorative.
While constructing an entire pub might be ambitious, the gingerbread recipe itself is straightforward. The dough holds its shape beautifully during baking, making it perfect for any 3D creation.
6. Frances Quinn's Midsummer Night's Dream Wedding Cake
Fancy a challenge? This Shakespeare-inspired masterpiece features three different cake flavours in a whimsical, gravity-defying design. The lemon, chocolate and carrot tiers offer something for everyone.
Frances won Series 4 with this creative showstopper. Scale it down for birthdays by making just one tier with the decorative elements on top!
7. Ruby Tandoh's White Chocolate And Raspberry Tart
Sweet white chocolate ganache paired with tart raspberries creates a perfect flavour balance. Ruby's clever addition of lemon zest cuts through the richness, preventing it from becoming too sweet.
The pastry has that ideal snap when you cut into it. Make it a day ahead for dinner parties – it actually improves after a night in the fridge!
8. Kim-Joy's Space Turtle Biscuits
Quirky, adorable and surprisingly simple to recreate! These vanilla biscuits hold their shape perfectly during baking, providing the ideal canvas for your decorating skills.
Kim-Joy's signature royal icing technique creates those distinctive turtle shells. Kids absolutely love helping with these, and they're sturdy enough to survive being packed in lunchboxes.
9. Rahul Mandal's Chocolate Orange Layer Cake
Chocolate and orange – a match made in heaven! Rahul's precise measurements and techniques result in the most tender, moist chocolate sponge you'll ever taste.
The orange-infused buttercream adds a refreshing zing that cuts through the richness. His tip? Add a splash of hot water to your chocolate batter to intensify the flavour and create an extra-soft crumb.
10. Selasi Gbormittah's Banoffee Pie
Cool, calm Selasi created this banoffee pie with a twist – a hint of cinnamon in the biscuit base that elevates the entire dessert. The caramel layer is made from scratch, avoiding that overly sweet tinned version.
Fresh bananas and whipped cream top it off perfectly. Make it in a loose-bottomed tin for easy serving and that professional finish that impressed Paul and Mary.
11. Nancy Birtwhistle's Lemon Curd Technical Challenge
Sunshine in a jar! Nancy's lemon curd recipe produces a silky smooth spread with the perfect balance of sweetness and tang.
The secret is constant stirring and patience – rush it and you'll end up with sweet scrambled eggs. Makes brilliant gifts in small jars with pretty labels. Spread on scones or use as a filling for cakes and tarts for an instant burst of citrusy goodness.
12. Steven Carter-Bailey's Bread Week Showstopper
Remember that incredible bread handbag that left everyone gobsmacked? The plaited brioche dough creates a wonderfully rich, buttery bread with a beautiful texture and appearance.
You don't need to shape it like a handbag – a simple plait works brilliantly for breakfast. The egg wash gives it that signature golden shine that makes everyone think you're a professional baker.
13. Andrew Smyth's Savory Pie
Hot water crust pastry that's sturdy yet tender houses a delicious filling of sausage, apple and caramelised onion.
The engineering precision Andrew brought to the tent ensures perfect structural integrity – no soggy bottoms here! The pie keeps well for several days in the fridge. Perfect for picnics or packed lunches, and tastes even better cold the next day.
14. Liam Charles' Salted Caramel Cupcakes
Liam brought youthful energy and brilliant flavours to these cupcakes. The sponge is incredibly light and moist, while the salted caramel buttercream has that perfect sweet-salty balance that's utterly addictive.
His tip for super-fluffy cakes? Whisk the butter and sugar for at least 5 minutes until extremely pale and fluffy. These disappear within minutes at any gathering!
15. Benjamina Ebuehi's Churros With Chocolate Sauce
Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside – these churros are proper street food brought into your kitchen. The cinnamon sugar coating provides that signature crunch and warmth. Benjamina's rich chocolate dipping sauce takes these to another level. The choux pastry technique seems tricky but follows her clear instructions and you'll be churning out perfect churros in no time.
16. Yan Tsou's Banana Roulade
Light banana sponge rolled around mascarpone cream creates a dessert that's both sophisticated and comforting. Yan's scientific approach ensures the perfect sponge texture – airy yet strong enough not to crack when rolled.
The hint of cinnamon complements the banana beautifully. This roulade looks impressive but comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for last-minute dinner party desserts.
17. Luis Troyano's Churros And Doughnuts
Perfectly crisp churros with a soft interior alongside fluffy, light doughnuts filled with homemade jam. Luis brought his Spanish heritage to the tent with these treats that are easier to make than they look.
His cinnamon sugar mix has the ideal ratio of sweetness to spice. The dough can be prepared ahead and chilled, making these perfect for weekend breakfast treats.
18. Hermine's Chocolate Jelly Art Cake
Remember those stunning jelly domes that looked like tiny works of art? Hermine's chocolate sponge provides the perfect base for these showstopping decorations that seem complex but are achievable with her step-by-step method.
The contrast between rich cake and delicate, fruit-flavoured jelly is delightful. Prepare the jelly elements a day ahead for best results and optimal setting time.
19. Crystelle Pereira's Focaccia
Olive oil-rich dough with the perfect chewy interior and crisp exterior. Crystelle's focaccia stood out with its aromatic blend of herbs and that signature dimpled surface that catches pools of olive oil.
Her tip for maximum flavour? Infuse the oil with garlic and rosemary before drizzling. This bread needs no accompaniment but pairs beautifully with soups and stews.
20. Briony Williams' Ginger And Chocolate Cake
Warming ginger and rich chocolate create a cake that's perfect for chilly afternoons. Briony's clever balance of spices ensures the ginger is present without overwhelming the chocolate notes.
The glossy ganache topping sets to a perfect sheen. This cake actually improves with age – make it a day ahead for the flavours to develop fully and the texture to become even more moist.
21. Peter Sawkins' Gluten-Free Scones
Light, fluffy scones that nobody would guess are gluten-free! Peter's clever blend of alternative flours creates the perfect texture without that grittiness often found in gluten-free bakes.
His addition of yoghurt keeps them moist for days. These rise beautifully and have that classic crumbly exterior that's essential for a proper cream tea experience.
22. Flora Shedden's Earl Grey Tea Cakes
Delicately flavoured with bergamot-infused tea, these little cakes have a sophisticated taste that's perfect with afternoon tea. Flora's addition of lemon zest brightens the subtle tea flavour beautifully.
The simple glaze adds just enough sweetness without overwhelming. These keep well in an airtight container for several days, making them perfect for make-ahead entertaining.
23. David Atherton's Dairy-Free Ice Cream Cake
Creamy, rich ice cream that happens to be dairy-free! David's ingenious use of coconut cream creates a luxurious texture that rivals traditional ice cream.
The surprise crunch from the honeycomb pieces adds wonderful texture contrast. The cake base stays remarkably crisp despite supporting the frozen elements. Perfect for summer gatherings and suitable for those avoiding dairy.
24. Steph Blackwell's Apple Illusion Cake
Remember that cake that looked exactly like a real apple? The spiced sponge inside tastes just like apple pie, while the marzipan coating creates the perfect realistic finish.
Steph's clever construction techniques make this showstopper achievable at home. The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and actual apple pieces in the sponge creates a wonderfully autumnal treat.
