Great British Bake Off fans call out glaring 'error' in Iced Gems biscuit challenge but did you spot it?
Paul Hollywood set the Technical challengeGreat British Bake Off fans have been left scratching their heads over an ‘error’ in this week’s Iced Gem task.
The bakers were told to make 24 tiny Iced Gems, each with a star of rainbow royal icing on top.
Paul Hollywood set the Technical Challenge and it was a ‘Taste and Bake’ one.
The bakers didn’t receive a recipe.
Instead, they had to sample several Iced Gems and work out exactly how to make them from taste and appearance alone.
Great British Bake Off sets Iced Gem challenge
Alison Hammond, who co-hosts The Great British Bake Off with Noel Fielding, explained to the bakers in Tuesday night’s show (September 29, 2026): “Paul would love you to recreate that childhood classic, the Iced Gem.”
Noel continued: “Paul will be looking for 24 exquisitely baked orange shortbread biscuits topped with a rainbow coloured star of royal icing.”
The bakers then lifted up their gingham cloths. Underneath, they found three Iced Gems on a plate, each with a shortbread base.
Having already left the tent, Paul explained to fellow judge Nigella Lawson: “It’s simple enough when you break down the stages. I think they’ll know how to make a shortbread.”
But fans were left baffled by the challenge.
Iced Gems were created accidentally by English biscuit makers Huntley & Palmers in the 1850s. The company was trying out its new machinery when the biscuits emerged much smaller than usual.
These days, Iced Gems are mass produced by biscuit giant McVites. And they do not have a shortbread base.
Fans rage at Iced Gem recipe
McVities describes Iced Gems as: “Smooth swirls of raspberry, blackcurrant and lemon flavoured icing topped on a tiny biscuit base.”
Writing on X, one Great British Bake Off viewer pointed out: “Iced Gems do not have a shortbread base – it’s like a rich tea biscuit base.”
Another added: “Somebody writing that brief never ate a bag of them at a kids party.”
A third also asked: “Hang on, since when was an iced gem shortbread based? I thought it was more like a rich tea biscuit.”
And a fourth raged: “Im not having this [bleep]. Iced gems were effectively a mini rich tea biscuits with rock hard icing. None of orange shortbread and royal icing [bleep].”
Someone else even said: “#GBBO rarely watch this but ‘know your biscuit?’. Iced gems never have orange shortbread as a base.”
TVGuide has done some digging and we have discovered exactly what has happened here.
The Iced Gem recipe used on GBBO is one of Paul Hollywood’s own. And it appears he has put his own spin on the McVities version.
The Great British Bake Off website states: “Paul’s homemade iced gems pair buttery orange shortbread with crisp rosettes of rainbow-coloured royal icing as a playful twist on this nostalgic classic.
“Bright citrus flavour and vibrant colours make them perfect for parties, afternoon tea, or simply adding a cheerful touch to your weekend cuppa.”
Interesting…
