Tuesday, November 10, 8pm, Channel 4

The pressure is rising in the Great British Bake Off tent as the competition reaches its quarter-final, and there is no room for a baking blunder as the remaining contestants battle for a place in the semi-final. This week, things are set to get particularly sticky as caramel takes centre stage in three demanding challenges.

Nigella Lawson joins fellow judge Paul Hollywood and presenters Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond for another helping of the much-loved baking competition, with a classic British pudding, a towering biscuit creation and an ambitious sugar sculpture all on the menu.

But with just five bakers left, who will have the recipe for success, and whose hopes will come crashing down?

What are they baking this week?

It’s Caramel Week, and the quarter-finalists face three challenges designed to test their technical ability, creativity and nerves.

First up is the Signature Challenge, where the bakers must put their own spin on a classic treacle tart. A seemingly simple British favourite, this pudding leaves little room for error. The pastry needs to be beautifully baked, while the filling must strike just the right balance of sweetness and texture. Expect golden pastry cases and plenty of sticky, sweet treacle.

Next comes the Technical Challenge, and things get considerably more complicated. The contestants must produce a towering millionaire shortbread. Combining layers of biscuit, caramel and chocolate, this is a test of precision as much as baking ability. The caramel needs to set properly, the layers must be neat and even, and the finished creation needs to have the height and structure to impress the judges.

Finally, the Showstopper Challenge takes the bakers into the world of confectionery, as they create spectacular nougatine sculpture showpieces.

Made using caramelised sugar and nuts, nougatine can be notoriously difficult to work with. It needs to be shaped and assembled while still warm, but wait too long and it can become brittle and difficult to manipulate. With ambitious structures to construct and little time to spare, it could be a recipe for disaster.

With a place in the semi-final at stake, the bakers will need to keep their cool while working with some seriously hot sugar.

Who is left in the Bake Off tent?

Following Gary’s departure in last week’s Free-From Party Week, five contestants remain in the running for the title.

They are Tom, Connie, Mo, Moyin and Gabe.

Tom has been a particularly strong contender, while Connie has also demonstrated that she has plenty of experience and creativity to bring to the competition.

Mo has impressed with his technical ability, Moyin has brought some distinctive flavours and ideas into the tent, and Gabe finally secured his first Star Baker title last week after impressing the judges with his imaginative free-from creations.

Gabe’s success came at just the right time, but with the competition now entering its final stages, everyone will need to produce their best work.

Last week, Gary became the seventh baker to leave the competition. He had struggled with the free-from challenges, although he said he was immensely proud of reaching this stage and described his experience in the tent as one of the best of his life.

A new era for Bake Off – and viewers are loving it

The 17th series of The Great British Bake Off has brought a significant change to the judging table, with Nigella Lawson taking over from Prue Leith, who stepped down after nine years on the programme.

Joining Paul Hollywood, Nigella has brought her trademark enthusiasm, food knowledge and wonderfully expressive descriptions to the tent. Her arrival has given the familiar format a fresh dimension, while Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond have continued to provide the comedy, warmth and encouragement that viewers have come to expect.

The series began on September 22, with 12 amateur bakers entering the famous tent and 30 new challenges awaiting them.

So far, the contestants have tackled everything from cakes, biscuits and bread to desserts, pastry and free-from baking.

There have been plenty of memorable moments along the way, including a first for the programme when viewers were given a say in the challenges during Audience Choice Week. The bakers have also faced some particularly testing technicals, with Bread Week delivering one of the most disastrous challenges in the show’s history.

The competition has steadily narrowed, with seven bakers now having left the tent, including Gary last week.

Bake Off continues to rise in the ratings

The arrival of Nigella appears to have given the series an encouraging start in the ratings.

According to figures from audience measurement body Barb, the opening episode attracted around 7.1 million viewers in its first seven days after transmission.

That was enough to put Bake Off ahead of Strictly Come Dancing’s launch, which attracted approximately 6.4 million viewers over the same period.

And it wasn’t just a one-week success. Subsequent episodes continued to outperform Strictly in the seven-day consolidated ratings, with reports suggesting that Bake Off’s audience had actually increased on the corresponding episodes from last year’s series.

It’s an impressive result for Channel 4 and a reassuring sign that viewers are still hungry for the comforting combination of baking disasters, spectacular creations and friendly competition.

Nigella’s arrival has also attracted positive attention, with her fellow presenters praising the fresh energy she has brought to the tent. Noel has particularly highlighted her poetic way of describing the bakers’ creations, while Alison has praised the encouragement and advice she gives contestants.

The show clearly still has plenty of pulling power.

Who will make it through?

With just five contestants remaining, the quarter-final marks a crucial point in the competition.

There is no room for complacency, particularly with caramel featuring in all three challenges. A poorly judged temperature, a layer that refuses to set or a nougatine sculpture that collapses at the final hurdle could make all the difference.

Paul and Nigella will be looking for flavour, technique and presentation, but consistency will be more important than ever.

The question is whether the bakers can keep their cool when the sugar starts bubbling.

One thing is certain: with a place in the semi-final on the line, this week’s Bake Off promises plenty of sweet treats, high drama and potentially a few sticky situations.

The Great British Bake Off airs Tuesday, November 10, at 8pm on Channel 4.