Heel Holland Bakt Talk #3
It’s that time again: every Sunday, we get to watch stumbling and flourishing home bakers on Heel Holland Bakt. From over-the-top signature bakes to the complicated technical challenge, I’m glued to the screen from the very first minute. What exactly goes through my head during an episode like that? I write it down for you every week.
Ah yes, this is the Christmas episode. It’s a real advantage that it’s winter now—extra festive. So cozy too, with all that Christmas music. Janny is wearing such a flashy jacket, with those shiny red branches on it. Where do you even find something like that? I never see anything like it at H&M.
Sausage roll
Cas: “On Christmas Eve, there are almost always sausage rolls and saucijzenbroodjes on the menu.” I’m really rooting for Cas. He’s making a sausage roll this time too. “Dough is just like your mother-in-law: you have to knead it, then it becomes light and airy.” What one-liners he suddenly comes out with—he’s a real star.
Janny and Robert are being so wonderfully helpful to everyone, by the way. Robert saves Liesbeth’s melting cutting board and advises Cas about the seam in his dough. And Vincent, maybe you should use a little less clove. They’ve really embraced the Christmas spirit.
Cinnamon swirl
I want Nicole’s cinnamon swirl for breakfast right now. I’m definitely on her son’s side—I wouldn’t want those nuts either. Just lots and lots of cinnamon and sugar. Cas is wearing such a cute little bow too. Did he put that on especially for the Christmas episode, or was he already wearing it before? Too bad his sausage roll didn’t rise. “Then you can blame the minced meat,” no, Cas, Robert won’t let you get away with those excuses.
“In construction, wood is gold; in the bakery, wood is wrong.” So many one-liners in this episode. I completely agree, though—inedible decoration is honestly the dumbest thing in the world. Just like whole rosemary branches suddenly lying next to a steak; I can feel an annoyance coming on. Pistachio marzipan sounds absolutely insanely delicious.
Paris-Brest
For the technical challenge, the bakers have to make a Paris-Brest. Mmm, delicious—choux pastry and crème pâtissière, two of my favorites. Who makes all those example bakes for the technical challenge? And do they get quantities for the choux pastry? I know how to make it, but I really wouldn’t know the proportions. This episode is making me really want to bake.
Anna: “Andre, can I have some more milk?” “Yes, then I’ll have to see if the cow is still there.” André is absolutely the right man for this show. Hahahaha, the way they keep zooming in on Liesbeth’s face—she’s really struggling, the poor girl. I do hope she stays in, though.
Shine bright like a diamond
This week’s showstopper has to give off light. So that girl with the glowing elf cake in the first episode was on the right track after all. Who comes up with these challenges? How on earth do you think of a glowing cake? I love this so much. And all those women in their festive little dresses—surely that can’t be comfortable for baking?
Time for the judging. “There are lights in it, but you can see them when it’s dark.” I’m seriously worried about Liesbeth—come on, girl! Maroeska’s cake is genuinely beautiful, with all those roses and dried mango leaves. Ah yes, she’s the star baker too. So deserved; her silver outfit is a real winner as well. Had Janny been wearing those Christmas baubles in her ears the whole time, by the way? Love it. Such a shame about Liesbeth—I found her so much fun. “That was it.” Exactly, girl. See you again next week!
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