The Great British Bake Off (series 2)

For their first challenge, the bakers were asked to bake 24 cupcakes in two hours. They were allowed to make two different types of cupcakes. For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to bake a Coffee and Walnut Battenburg cake using Mary Berry's recipe in two hours. The cake needed to have the perfect sponge which held its form (perfect symmetry), distinguish flavours, and a smooth exterior. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake a chocolate tiered celebration cake with elaborate, multi-layer design in five hours.

During the Showstopper round, Rob accidentally dropped his cake.

For the signature bake, the bakers were asked to bake a savory Quiche in 2 hours. For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to bake a Tarte au Citron using Mary's recipe in 1 1/2 hours. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake 24 miniature sweet tarts.

For their signature bake, the bakers were asked to bake a free formed flavored loaf (not using a tin) in 3 ¼ hours. For the technical challenge, the bakers were given 3 1/2 hours to bake a Focaccia, using Paul's recipe. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake 2 displays. One display is to make a basket out of bread. The second display is to make 12 sweet and 12 savory rolls. They had 5 hours.

In this episode, two bakers were eliminated rather than one baker.

For the signature bake, the bakers were give 1 1/2 hours to make 12 biscuits. The biscuits should not be too hard or too crumbly. For the technical challenge, the bakers were given 1 1/2 hours to bake 24 brandy snaps. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake a macaron display. They need 3 different flavors, bake 120 of them, and had 5 hours to complete it.

For the signature, the bakers were asked to bake a family pie with either a ruff puff pastry or flaky pastry in 2 1/2 hours. For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to bake a batch of 6 miniature pork pies in 2 1/2 hours using Paul's recipe. The technical was a 2 day bake challenge, so the bakers were judged the next day. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake a meringue pie—a fruit and/or custard pie topped with meringue, in 3 ½ hours.

Once again, in this episode, two bakers were eliminated instead of one baker.

For the signature bake, the bakers were asked to bake a cheesecake in 2 1/2 hours. For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to bake a chocolate roulade in 1 3/4 hours using Mary's recipe. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to create a Croquembouche-inspired bake in 5 hours.

For the signature bake, the semi finalists were asked to bake a layered mousse cake in 2 hours, with the judges seeking a light sponge and a rich mousse. For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to bake 12 identical Iced Fingers. Using Paul's recipe, they were to be filled with cream and jam. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake 3 types of pastries. The bakers had to use the same dough — which must be crisp on the outside and soft on the inside — for all three.

In this episode, none of the bakers were individually highlighted as Star Baker, as the judges decided all four deserved commendation for reaching the semi-final.

For their final signature bake, the finalists were asked to bake 12 mille-feuille in 2 1/2 hours. For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to bake a sachertorte in 2 hours and 40 minutes. For their final showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake 3 different types of petits fours: Meringue, Sweet Pastry, and Sponge Based, within 4 hours.

Both episodes nine and ten were masterclasses by Paul and Mary, where they demonstrated how to make the Technical Challenges that they had set throughout the series. Episode nine showed the first four of the series; Coffee and walnut Battenberg, Tarte au Citron, Focaccia and Brandy Snaps. Episode ten showed the last four of the series; Pork pies, Chocolate roulade, Iced fingers and Sachertorte. Episode eleven went back and revisited the bakers from series one to catch up with the contestants.