The Great British Bake Off is a rare unifying force in the UK, drawing millions of viewers each year for a wholesome, pastry-laden contest fought between at-home bakers.
Known for its charm, whimsy, colourful personalities, and a dusting of occasional innuendo, the TV show’s got plenty of international appeal too.
It isn’t without its controversies, however, because it seems nigh-impossible to air a reality show without ruffling a couple of feathers each week.
Along with occasional unsportsmanlike conduct, accidental sabotage, accusations of cultural insensitivity, allegations of favouritism, and judge Prue Leith jumping the gun with a congratulatory tweet, the weekly challenges can draw criticism on occasion.
On the second episode of this year’s edition, which aired on 9 September 2025, Bake Off viewers have taken issue with a ‘complicated’ challenge that was ‘messing with a classic’.
The Signature challenge for week two saw contestants produce 12 sliced and baked biscuits with a picture stowed inside them, and if that sounds like a tall order for the second round then check out the Technical challenge.
Alison Hammond, who co-hosts with Noel Fielding, instructed the bakers to produce 12 chocolate hobnobs topped with caramel and feathered chocolate decorations.
Anyone who’s ever cooked with caramel will know it’s a tricky beast to master, and the only advice offered by Prue was to ‘use your temperature probe’. Thanks, Prue.
Hobnob fans will know that caramel doesn’t feature on the standard version of the much-loved biscuit, and Prue explained the addition was entirely down to adding complexity to the challenge.
“Just to give them a bit more of a challenge,” she said. “First they need to make the biscuits and they must cut the biscuits. They’re so crumbly, if you try to cut a sheet of hobnob, it will just fall to bits.
“The worst problem will be too much caramel. You need just enough to cover the bottom of the mould. Then they much chew, if the caramel isn’t properly set, it won’t come out.
“Then comes the chocolate, they’ve got to be ready to go with the feathering before the chocolate sets.”
It certainly proved a challenge for the bakers, particularly as the task involved spinning various plates to make sure everything was ready and added at the right moment.
Despite the understandable aim of adding more challenge to proceedings, social media users were unimpressed with the bastardisation of the classic biscuit.
“Hobnobs do not have caramel layers,” said one X user. “They are messing with a classic. #GBBO.”
Another shared: “I've never seen such a complicated way of making Hobnobs. Chocolate Complications. #GBBO.”
“Wait, caramel on a hobnob??” asked another. “That doesn't sound right.... #GBBO.”
This week's Star Baker was Toby, with Prue declaring his effort ‘a perfect Hobnob’. That’s in spite of the caramel, of course.
Featured Image Credit: Channel 4Topics: TV and Film, Celebrity, Cooking
Rachael Davis