Introduction

A note from Paul and Prue: Baking, cooking annd feeding people really is a joy and I want everyone to experience the pleasure and satisfaction of producign food to share with others. For us, seeing what the bakers have produced this series and last has been so inspiring that we have been unable to resist making many of the recipes at home. So we are so delighted to see the recipes published as a book for all Bake Off fans and keen cooks everywhere to have a go.

We have enormous fun working with the Bake Off team thinking up the challenges for the series and there are wonderful bakes featured in this book, from the familiar and classic to the more unusual. It doesn't matter how good you are - or in the case of some of our celebrities on Stand Up to Cancer Bake Offs, how bad - you can dazzle with one of our Showstoppers Made Simple at your local charity bake sale or commuity event, or just to show off to family and friends.

Four simple chapters cover the most delightful types of bake, and if you need help with an essential recipe like shortcrust pastry or crème pâtissière, they're all gathered together at the end of the book for easy reference.