Ep 4. Batter

The Great British Baking Show is back for the fourth season with another exciting episode named Batter, where 11 contestants fight against each other to be the star baker of the week. The iconic tent is set up in the lush green gardens of Welford Park and the judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry are ready to taste some delicious bakes.

The first challenge of the week is to make 12 identical Yorkshire puddings with their twist on the classic recipe. The contestants are given an hour and a half to make these savory treats that are essential to a Sunday roast dinner. The judges expect the puddings to be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside with a perfect rise. Some contestants take the classic route while others experiment with different flavors such as cheese and herbs. The bakers are under immense pressure to get the perfect rise, and some fail to impress the judges in this round.

The second challenge is the technical round, where the contestants have to make churros, which is a type of Spanish donut. This round is particularly difficult as the contestants have to make the dough, pipe it into beautiful shapes, and fry them till they are golden brown. The churros have to be served with a hot chocolate dipping sauce, which should be thick and velvety. The contestants have to follow a recipe, which is missing some crucial steps, and hence the bakers have to rely on their experience to get it right. This round is particularly tough as the contestants struggle to make the dough and get the shape right. The judges taste all the churros and rank them from the best to the worst without knowing who baked them.

The final challenge of the week is the showstopper round, where the contestants have to make a batter-based dessert that is so impressive that it could grace the table of any fine-dining restaurant. The contestants have to create a dessert using a batter, which could be anything from a pancake batter to a choux pastry. The desserts have to be elegant, imaginative, and technically excellent. The bakers can use any ingredients they like but have to ensure that the batter is the star of the show. The judges are looking for puffiness, lightness, and a perfect balance of flavors. The bakers go all out in this round, preparing desserts that are unique and delicious. One contestant creates a pancake tower with layers of chocolate fudge and banana cream, while another makes a choux bun tower with a salted caramel filling. The judges are impressed with the creativity and taste of the desserts, and the contestants are hopeful of getting the star baker of the week.

As the episode comes to an end, the judges taste all the bakes and deliberate to choose the star baker of the week and the contestant who will be going home. The competition gets tougher with each passing episode, and the bakers are under immense pressure to deliver their best, week after week.

Overall, the Batter episode of The Great British Baking Show is a thrilling watch for any baking enthusiast. From the classic Yorkshire pudding to the creative batter-based desserts, the episode is full of delicious treats and inspirational bakes. The judges are firm but fair, and the contestants are dedicated and passionate, making it a fantastic television experience.