Oh my lord where do I start! This weeks episode was definitely the most high octane so far! What with having to contend with the temperature when it came to the chocolate tempering but also the whole freezer fiasco with the ice cream for the Baked Alaska. I’m so pleased that I’m not going to have to do that challenge this weekend. For starters I do not have, but much desire, an ice cream maker but also I don’t have the freezer space! The big question is what’s “sort of unacceptable” for Mary Berry?

Signature Bake: Self Saucing Puddings (8)
First things first, I’ll be honest, I have made chocolate fondants before, so the other challenge for me is to make something that isn’t chocolate. I like the idea that Kate had, with using the toasted flaked almonds around the out side, but I wonder if this would still work if I choose to do a sponge that creates it own sauce instead of a fondant.

Key points:

1. The sponge needs to be kept nice and light, something that will bake in very quick time. Strong enough of bake quickly but strong enough to hold the molten centre
2. There are two different versions: Fondant and a sponge that creates its own sauce at the bottom
3. Sauce has to have the right consistency, but have some texture too

I’m keen to do something that is fresh and light with the flavours, but can you get this with a hot pudding? Seeing as I have made the fondant before I’m going to try the other technique. I’d like to include pistachios in something as they are one of my favourite flavours, however what can I mix them with that isn’t chocolate? Hmmm time to get that thinking cap on!

Technical Challenge: Tiramisu
Ive made a tiramisu before, but the cheats way, using sponge fingers or squares bought from the shop. These sponge fingers are lucky to make it to the tiramisu dish as I’ve usually eaten half of them beforehand! The main thing I can foresee causing me a problems  is the same things as the bakers on the show; making a sponge that is thick enough to slice horizontally while still being light, and the damn chocolate tempering! I really hoped that I would get away with not having to buy any equipment this week, but I am going to have to bite the bullet and buy that digital thermometer.

Key points:

1. Keep the layers even, so that there is an even distribution of flavours in every bite
2. Soak the sponge with an even amount of the coffee and brandy so the sponge changes colour but still holds its shape

Show-stopper: Baked Alaska
Crikey this challenge was definitely heated and I don’t mean the temperature in the tent either!
You would hope that the BBC would have re-thought doing this challenge considering the weather, but no, lets just make the bakers sweat a bit more. There were some stand out flavour combinations going in this week, with Marthas Key Lime pie and Iain’s Black sesame ice cream. Unfortunately we will never see see how Iain’s Alaska would have turned out as his reaction was the “unacceptable” that Mary was talking about. My favourites from this episode:

1. Kate was so close to getting star baker this week, that I feel that she was robbed. She was so close with her signature bake and her showstopper was praised for its. Hopefully she’ll get it next week.
2. Martha is doing so well, her technical was number one. I like the idea of her peanut butter fondants were a great idea, its just a shame they didn’t work our so well.
3. Richard really did deserve to win this week, everything he made this week was great.  he even managed to pull it out of the bag when he had to make a second sponge for his tiramisu.  That man has definite staying power!

Norman is really balancing on a fine line. He keeps sticking with the traditional flavours but in the words of Hollywood “your playing it so safe that your beginning to fail” Each week he says that he is going to up his game, but we see little improvement. I really believe that if poor Iain hadn’t lost his cool, we would have seen Norman leaving this week.

I feel so disappointed with the outcome of the show that I was practically screaming a the TV. When your all making the same the dessert, why would you not put someones ice cream back in the freezer?!  I love that Sue tried to help by suggesting trying to save it and I was a tiny bit pleased that karma bit the culprit on the butt (not naming names here). I have to say that if the same had happened to me, stronger words would have been said. I’m sure that there were many said by Iain, but thats the wonder of editing.

I’ll miss Iain beard and Irish charm. Hopefully we’ll get to see his final Alaska on the Extra slice show on Friday.

This weekends baking will definitely have to be shared around the friends and family, plus there must be a bit of exercise too. I love desserts, but there are only so many a girl can eat!