Great British Bake Off 2018: What is le gateau vert? Here's a recipe (2024)

Another week, another series of complex cakes for The Great British Bake Off contestants as the baking show continues on Channel 4.

After a trying traybake challenge, the GBBO contestants were tasked with making green cakes, with the icing coloured by spinach.

Jon made everyone green with envy by coming first in the second Bake Off technical, while Karen was looking green after coming last.

But how do you make le gateau vert at home? Here’s everything you need to know.

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What is le gateau vert?

Prue set this week’s Technical Challenge, which she said was painter Claude Monet’s favourite cake.

It combines a pistachio-flavoured Genoise sponge, a pistachio marzipan and an icing made with spinach.

Iceland’s Head Chef, Neil Nugent spoke to Express.co.uk about the problems of working with spinach.

He said: “Some vegetables and herbs can be used as natural food colourings – spinach, basil and parsley work well for greens.

WHO IS NOEL FIELDING?

Rahul's gateau vert came second in the Technical Challenge (Image: CHANNEL 4)

Be careful not to use too much as they can be strong in flavour

Neil Nugent, Iceland’s Head Chef

“Simply blend then strain, using the coloured water as the dye. Be careful not to use too much as they can be strong in flavour.’’

“Other vegetables including carrots, avocados and beetroot can be used in puree or grated for cakes too - they are good for texture, colour and flavor.”

What is a recipe for le gateau vert?

Though the bakers used spinach, to make it easier for yourself you can use matcha tea powder at home.

Preheat the oven to 180° C. Pour 180g flour into a salad bowl and mix with the 1tbsp matcha tea powder and 130g sugar

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Jon won this week's Technical Challenge (Image: CHANNEL 4)

Make a well in the center and add 3 eggs, 100 ml milk and 110g melted butter and mix well to obtain a smooth and hom*ogeneous paste.

Pour the dough into a cake tin, bake and cook for about 35 minutes.

Serve warm or cold.

If you are brave enough to try spinach frosting, drain 1 cup of spinach and puree it.

HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT WAGON WHEELS

There were some disasters on this week's Bake Off (Image: Channel 4)

Combine ½ cup of butter with 3 cups of powdered sugar.

Add spinach and mix together until combined.

Then, award yourself Star Baker and eat the cake that Monet ate every year on his birthday.

Great British Bake Off continues Tuesdays at 8pm on Channel 4

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