The ELLE Bake Off

Cakey-bakey fun was had by all at ELLE HQ on Wednesday. The ELLE Fashion Bake Off was a triumphant showcase of cooking skills (a surprise result if we’re honest – who knew we’re great at making and eating cakes?). There was laughter and tears (seriously) and we didn’t offend the palette of our expert judge Gizzi Erskine. Job done. Click through our gallery to see the winning bakes…

Gizzi Erskine shares her baking tips

Beauty Director Sophie Beresiner's spooky cake pops.

Beauty Director Sophie Beresiner preparing Halloween cake pops in ELLE's Ikea kitchen.

Beauty Director Sophie Beresiner cooking up a storm in ELLE's Ikea kitchen.

Creative Director Suzanne Sykes with her lemon muffins.

Digital Director Phebe Hunnicutt with her chocolate cookies.

'I added the white chocolate chips after I made them the first time to make them look a little prettier! Gizzi described them as a very grownup cookie which I agree with. Definitely one for a dark chocolate lover.'

Recipe

Deputy Art Director Lisa Rahman with her marbled chocolate brownie - she was the joint winner of the best overall bake.

Melissa Henry - PA to Meribeth Parker - with her chocolate brownie cake decorated with salted caramel and honeycomb. This cake shared the prize for best overall bake.

'I also used leaves for decoration (washed numerous times very gently and dried). Regarding the leaves – try and make your own as Gizzi advised me: 'never put anything on a plate that isn't edible', so on that note, if anyone knows a recipe for edible leaves let me know!'

Executive Fashion Director Kirsty Dale with her lemon syrup cake.

'I totally under estimated the Team ELLE competition and was embarrassed on the day to present my burnt offering to Gizzi. Rumour has it that on tasting, she did say mine might of had some potential if it hadn't been quite so burnt. I thought I'd add a humorous touch with my icing apology, which at least got a few laughs.'

Market & Retail Editor Harriet Stewart's Chanel dress Victoria Sponge.

Claire Sibbick with her pork pie. Gizzi awarded Claire the title of Most Promising Baker.

'I was so thrilled to be picked as a winner, and have Gizzi say such lovely things about my pie – so I will be making it again for my friends very soon!'

Features Assistant Georgia Simmonds with her Choupette chocolate sponge. The cake won the prize for style over substance.

'My cake looked a whole lot better than it tasted but winning is winning.'

Chief Sub-Editor/Production Editor Fern Ross with her sponge cake with passion fruit filling.

'I really wanted my cake to look AND taste good (as a Bake Off enthusiast, I know that Patron Saint Mary Berry hates style over substance), so I opted to make a classic sponge with a twist, and decorate it in Karl Lagerfeld's honour. I was so, so nervous when Gizzi was judging my cake, as I was convinced it had gone soggy overnight and would therefore taste a bit blah. When she said it tasted as good as it looked, I was overjoyed. And then I won most fashion fabulous cake. BEST. DAY. EVER. Well, at work anyway!'

Recipe

Digital Advertisement Manager Elena Ostrowska with her chocolate brownies.

Digital Advertisement Manager Elena Ostrowska with her gluten free ginger cookies.

Art Intern Eilidh Williamson with Granny Jessie's Coconut Biscuits.

'I used to make these biscuits with my granny all the time when I was little, so I was really pleased that everyone like them so much'

Digital Picture Intern Diana Gavrilina with her strawberry cake (shaped like a heart).

Editorial Business Manager Debbie Morgan with her chocolate cake. It was a prize winner - The Cake Your Granny Would Be Proud Of.

'Considering this is the first cake I have ever baked (not that I never bake, but I'm more of a muffins/ tray-bakes/ biscuits kind of baker) I was pleased with the result. The scary thing about baking cakes is that you can't taste-test it! And you have no idea what it's going to look like once it's cut into (is it going to crumble apart… is there enough icing… all the important things), but when Gizzi sliced into it, it didn't fall apart! Success! She also said it was the kind of cake that memories are made of, and she would choose a cake like mine as her birthday cake. Happy Days!'

Recipe

Workflow Director Christina Simone with her strawberry peanut butter tart.

'Gizzi said it needed less tart, more jam. Noted!'

Recipe

Cake by River Island.