"Great British Bake Off" Season 15 Quiz

Answer: Handbag

Season 15's first episode, "Cake Week", premiered on September 24, 2024. The Signature Challenge was to make an "elevated" version of a signature loaf cake. Illiyin, a midwife, made a cinnamon roll cake that earned a coveted handshake. Jeff, a retired university lecturer, fell ill immediately after the round and left the tent.

The Technical Challenge, set by chef/host Paul Hollywood, was to bake eight identical, perfectly symmetrical mini Battenberg cakes. An interesting twist was that instead of a recipe, the bakers had five minutes to inspect a finished example of the cake. Georgie, a pediatric nurse, won the Technical.

For the Showstopper Challenge, the bakers had four hours to create a hyper-realistic cake that was also delicious. People made things such as blue jeans, a pet duck, and a flower vase. Hazel, a retired nail technician and a lover of luxury goods, made her lemon cake look like a designer handbag. It even had a real, non-edible handle, which allowed her to carry it over to the judges' table for assessment. John, a support manager, won Star Baker for the episode. Because Jeff was still out ill, the show decided not to send anyone home to everyone's great relief.

Answer: health

"Biscuit Week" premiered on October 1, 2024. The Signature Challenge was to make a dozen identical, sandwiched Viennese whirls with a filling of the baker's choice. Andy, a car mechanic, made peanut butter and cherry jam biscuits which garnered high praise.

The Technical Challenge, set by chef/host Prue Leith, was to bake twelve uniform mint cream biscuits, topped with a smooth peppermint cream. Jeff, who had been feeling unwell since Episode 1, officially quit the competition during this challenge. He told host Alison Hammond, "I've had enough. I'm done." Mike, a farm manager, won the Technical Challenge.

For the Showstopper Challenge, the bakers had to create an edible puppet theatre with edible puppets. This would require a great deal of engineering and a robust biscuit like gingerbread. At the close of the tense challenge, as the bakers were finishing their biscuit puppet theatres, Illiyin collapsed and required medical attention. She soon recovered after being treated by medical personnel. In a lighter moment amidst the stress, Dylan (a retail assistant) accidentally fell off his chair while reaching for his water bottle. These various events shifted the focus from the baking to the health and pressure the contestants were facing in the tent. Sumayah, a Gap Year student, was named Star Baker and Hazel was eliminated.

Answer: Plaiting

"Bread Week" premiered on October 8, 2024. The Signature Challenge involved the bakers having to make twelve identical savoury buns from an enriched, yeast-based dough. Dylan earned a handshake for his buns.

The Technical Challenge, set by chef/host Paul Hollywood, was to make a seven-strand plaited bread wreath. Interestingly, Paul himself delivered a rare demonstration, showing the bakers how to create the complex plaited wreath. The bakers then had to replicate it entirely from memory. Nellie, a palliative care assistant, won the challenge.

For the Showstopper Challenge, the bakers were required to create a visually impressive cornucopia, or "horn of plenty," which needed to be filled with at least two different types of bread. Dylan, who had performed well throughout the whole episode, won Star Baker. In a surprise to many, the Star Baker from episode 1, John, was eliminated.

Answer: Noel

"Caramel Week" premiered on October 15, 2024. The Signature Challenge involved the bakers having to make a dozen identical caramel biscuits. Georgie impressed the judges with her peanut butter chocolate cookies.

The Technical Challenge, set by chef/host Prue Leith, was to create a classic pear tarte tatin with flaky rough puff pastry and a side of homemade walnut praline ice cream. During the challenge, host Noel Fielding playfully leaned on a bench and, in a moment of accidental clumsiness, knocked over Nelly's bowl of hot caramel she had just made. This forced Nelly to start her caramel over with little time remaining, causing a significant amount of chaos in the tent. Georgie won the challenge.

For the Showstopper Challenge, the bakers had to create a grand caramel mousse cake featuring at least two different types of caramel decoration. Christiaan, a menswear designer, made a gravity-defying sugar wave sculpture. However, it was Georgie who won Star Baker while Mike, a farm manager, was sent home.

Answer: Paris

"Pastry Week" premiered on October 22, 2024. The Signature Challenge was creating twelve identical frangipane tarts with a shortcrust pastry base and sweet almond filling. Gill, a senior category manager, was the only one to perfectly nail the challenge.

The Technical Challenge, set by chef/host Paul Hollywood, was to make a homemade phyllo dough spanakopita (a Greek spinach and feta pie) from scratch. The bakers were, at least, given a pasta machine to help with the phyllo. Dylan won the challenge.

The Showstopper Challenge was an impressive "Paris-Brest" centerpiece, a large ring of pastry filled with cream, presented on a freestanding edible stand. This dessert dates back to the capital of France, where it was created in 1910. Several bakers struggled. For instance, Andy's toffee stand shattered, and he had to present his creation separately. Unfortunately, this was a factor in his being eliminated, while Gill won Star Baker.

Answer: False

"Autumn Week" premiered on October 29, 2024. For the Signature Challenge, the bakers were challenged to create a sweet pie that showcased the flavours of autumn. Flavors like apple, pumpkin, and pecan were utilized.

Prue Leith set the Technical Challenge: making a vegan version of a traditional Northern English parkin (a gingerbread cake traditionally made with oatmeal and black treacle). This meant they could not use eggs or dairy. Illiyin came through to win the challenge.

The Showstopper Challenge asked the bakers to create a celebration cake where not fruit, but vegetables, were the star ingredient. They also had to design it like it was a fall festival. Sumayah made two impressive cakes (parsnip/fennel/cumin and beet/ginger/walnut) that earned her a rare "showstopper handshake" from Paul Hollywood. Nelly, a fan favorite, was eliminated while Sumayah followed her handshake with a Star Baker award.

Answer: Piña Colada

"Dessert Week" premiered on November 5, 2024. For the Signature Challenge, the bakers were asked to create eight identical, exquisitely filled meringue nests that combined flavor with texture. While some utilized fruit or even savory flavors, it was Illiyin who received a rare "Hollywood Handshake" for her well-balanced Piña Colada-inspired treats.

Prue Leith, for the Technical Challenge, asked them to make a classic British dessert: a steamed suet pudding called Spotted Dick, served with a silky smooth crème anglaise. Several of the bakers had never heard of this dish, which caused some confusion. Dylan won the round.

The Showstopper Challenge saw the bakers creating a large, impressive tiramisu while incorporating their own twist. They did have to utilize coffee, mascarpone, and lady's fingers, however. Dylan followed his Technical Challenge win with a strong tiramisu and won Star Baker. Sumayah was eliminated.

Answer: "1970s Week"

"1970s Week" premiered on November 12, 2024. For the Signature Challenge, they had to create a large, stable stack of profiteroles (a type of croquembouche) in 2.5 hours. They could, however, use creative freedom over the flavours and designs. Dylan got a handshake for his caramel and banana choux bun display.

Paul Hollywood, for the Technical Challenge, asked them to make one of the desserts he often created: a classic banoffee pie. They had very few instructions from him to follow. Georgie won the challenge.

The Showstopper Challenge required the bakers to create a two-tiered, "feather-light" gâteau inspired by the '70s. They had to use vegetables as an ingredient. Carrot and beetroot found their way into a few of the final creations. Illiyin's cake collapsed in the fridge right before judging, but she presented it anyway. Unfortunately, this was part of the reason she was eliminated. Georgie was named Star Baker.

Answer: Fruits

"Patisserie Week" premiered on November 19, 2024. For the Signature Challenge, the bakers had to produce eight rich, buttery laminated breakfast pastries. They were given an hour the night before to prepare their dough and let it set overnight. Shockingly, Dylan's croissants were deemed one of the worst things he had made on the show.

Paul Hollywood, for the Technical Challenge, asked them to make an eight-layer gâteau opéra, requiring careful assembly of jaconde sponge, coffee buttercream, and dark chocolate ganache layers. Georgie struggled with the challenge and had to have a pep talk from host Alison.

For the Showstopper Challenge the bakers had to create a stunning display of twelve mousse-based, fruit-shaped entremets with different flavours and components. They had to not only look like a piece of fruit, but to taste delicious as well. The judges were all astonished by the quality of the showstoppers, with Noel Fielding calling it "probably one of the best showstoppers ever seen" on the show. Christiaan was named Star Baker for the first time while Gill had to leave the tent in elimination.

Answer: Rolled down the hill outside the tent

The final episode of season 15 premiered on November 26, 2024. For the Signature Challenge, the bakers had to make 24 identical scones, split into 12 sweet and 12 savoury, each with a complementary filling. Georgie and Dylan both struggled while Christiaan finished easily.

Prue Leith set a tough Technical Challenge that required the bakers to multitask and produce a perfect afternoon tea spread. This included four lemon sandwich cakes, four strawberry tarts, and four plaited egg and cress rolls. Christiaan again excelled and won the challenge.

For the Showstopper Challenge, the bakers had to make a three-tiered hanging (suspended/upside-down) celebration cake. Not only did it have to offer amazing flavors, but it had to structurally hang upside down to be used as the centrepiece for a summer garden party. Georgie went on to win the episode and the series with her spectacular strawberry, champagne, lemon, and elderflower cake, which Paul called a "very special cake full of flavour and full of life". Upon her win, Georgie joyfully fulfilled a promise she had made earlier in the competition: she rolled down the iconic Bake Off hill in celebration!