Each week, Northern Slant are preparing to bring you the latest run down of Britain’s most loved baking show by self-confessed GBBO addict Jayne McGlaughlin.

How is Week 7 of the Bake Off over already? Before we know it, we’ll be fighting over the final 3 and who should win, but mostly just praying that Prue stays off Twitter that day.

In a first for the Bake Off, it was Vegan Week. Bakers had to leave the eggs and butter at home and tackle recipes with their various substitutes and one thing was sure, Jon was not happy about it. Unlike Jon, Kim Joy was delighted about the chance to show off her dairy-free abilities – probably a reflection of why Jon left and why Kim Joy was crowned star baker.

Bake Off fashion watch also continued and Prue’s glasses seem to be some form of advertising for McDonald’s and surprise surprise, Paul was wearing another black shirt. You know, just to mix things up. 

The Signature saw the bakers attempt to make savoury tarts in two different flavours using shortcrust pastry, but obviously without butter which is normally a main ingredient of shortcrust. Briony started off quite enthusiastically declaring that coconut oil represents butter in many ways but I can’t say I would be delighted to spread coconut oil on my toast in the mornings. She did however go on to caramelize her onions for her French onion tart in prosecco. Now, that is something that I can get on board with.

It also wouldn’t be a normal week if Kim Joy didn’t incorporate some form of animal into her bake and during vegan week she filled her animal-based void by making a tofu quiche tart (because apparently tofu is one of her favourite things?) and a broccoli and mascarpone tart with a squirrel on top – only for design of course. Despite reservations, both Paul and Prue said that her coconut pastry was delicious and she received a Hollywood Handshake *yawns*.

Paul and Prue also loved Manon’s summer and winter tarts. Prue said that they were a bit hard “but tastes like the South of France.” I didn’t know that was a taste but if it comes bottled, I’ll be getting myself some.

Following their first foray into vegan baking, the Technical was to make a vegan tropical fruit pavlova. A meringue. Without eggs. The meringue was made with aquafaba, which simply sounds like a washing detergent. Throughout the aquafaba filled gingham nightmare, there were a lot of meringues stuck to baking sheets and a lot of coconut cream flying about. The bottom fell of Kim Joy’s and she came last with Rahul and Manon coming first and second.

In a final way to celebrate the world of vegan baking, the bakers were tasked with making a vegan celebration cake. With the bakers not being able to use eggs or butter, there was a lot of oil as well as dairy free products. By the middle of the Showstopper, Manon was quite enjoying Vegan Week and said, “it might be vegan, but doesn’t mean that there should be compromise.” That’s the positivity we’re looking for, Manon. Sadly the positivity wasn’t enough for Manon though and Paul was disappointed with her spiced apple cake.

Obviously Kim Joy had to make a furry woodland friend for her squirrel so she made a fox themed cake. It was boldly flavoured with lavender and lemon and Paul said that it was exquisite. Ruby and Rahul didn’t have such a great time with their dairy-free offerings and they both collapsed before judging – the cakes, not the bakers. Although both of their cakes weren’t standing in one piece, the judges did love the flavours. 

Jon’s vegan celebration cake was inspired by Only Fools and Horses and called it ‘Only Fools Eat Horses,’ and although Jon did not enjoy vegan week, I really enjoyed that. His cake was a slanted and Paul told him that it looked hideous. Although had nice flavours, it wasn’t enough to save him this week. 

Kim Joy may have come last in the Technical, her other efforts were enough to see her become Star Baker. Really goes to show that it’s anyone’s to win at this stage.

Tune in next week for Danish Week where butter will be back in full force.