Junior Bake Off – The Winner 2025

Tonight, Aiyla L, (14), from West Yorkshire was crowned the winner of Junior Bake Off 2025. Thousands of aspiring junior bakers applied, but only 16 made it into the famous tent, for the most exciting competition yet.  Host Harry Hill brought the laughs, while judges Ravneet Gill and Liam Charles had the tough job of choosing Junior Bake Off’s best young baker. 

The competition began with 16 bakers, and whilst some crumbled, others rose to the challenge until there were just four remaining bakers: Aiyla L, Miko, Umayr and Kitto, each hoping to win the coveted ‘Winner of Junior Bake Off’ title. After an exciting final, it was Aiyla L who took home the trophy. 

The competition saw  the bakers compete in two separate heats, before the best four from each heat continued into finals week, taking on Technical and Showstopper challenges, devised to showcase the bakers’ culinary creativity and personalities. 

On Day One of the first heat, Rav kicked the competition off with a tricky technical of ‘Victoria Sandwich Sandwiches’ and then a ‘My Mascot Cake’ Showstopper. Day Two saw the bakers making Liam’s ‘Baseball Cap Pinata Biscuits’ and after that a ‘Twenty Years from now Giant Cookie’.  On the third day the bakers were tasked with making Liam’s ‘Pizza Pocket Rockets’ and then ‘Bread Roll Models’, followed by Rav’s ‘Meringue Seashells’ and ‘Best Day of my Life Brownies’ on Day 4. The week ended with Rav’s Eclairs and a savoury ‘Self Pie-Trait’.

The second heat of bakers had their skills tested by Liam’s ‘Lambingtons’ and ‘My Worst Nightmare Cake!’, followed by Rav’s ‘Giant Gooey Cookie & Ice cream’, and ‘Record Breaker Biscuits.’  On the third day, they took on Liam’s ‘Pumpkin Spiced Bread’,  and ‘My Inner Animal Bread’ and on Dessert Day, the bakers made Liam’s ‘Bronuts’ and  ‘Pocket Money Cream Pies’. For the final day of Heat B, the bakers navigated Pastry Day, creating Rav’s ‘Cheese and Onion Pasty Pops’ and a ‘Dream Team Religieuse’. 

The heat was on in the tent for Finals Week, with themed days. The bakers took on Rav’s ‘Dubai Chocolate Millionaire Shortbread’ and ‘Dessert Cake’ on MASH UP DAY,  Liam’s ‘Oh So Sweet Sushi’ and ‘Choux Pastry Postcards’ on TRAVEL DAY,  Liam’s ‘Sweet Nachos with Salsa’ and ‘Supersized Party Food’ on PARTY DAY and Rav’s ‘Queen of Puddings’ and ‘Dinner Party Illusion Biscuits’ on POSH NOSH DAY. 

In a tense and exciting final episode celebrating a summer’s day out, the four finalists hoped to bake their way to victory by making Rav’s ‘Strawberries and Clotted Cream Danish Pastries’ in the Technical and a ‘Summer Day Out Tiered Cake’ for their last ever Showstopper. After weeks of tough Technical Challenges and incredible Showstoppers , it was Aiyla L who managed to take the JBO crown; she mixed, whisked, frosted and beat her way to becoming the winner.

On winning the coveted trophy Aiyla said:  ‘I am the winner of Junior Bake Off,  I can’t believe it !   I am ready to celebrate, yeah guys, Winner!’

Rav said ‘Aiyla had to be our winner,  she came first in the Technical.   And then that cake was perfection, every single layer was well thought out, well baked and it tasted incredible.’

Liam added ‘To achieve what she did in three hours as well, yes she deserved to win.’

Here Aiyla talks about her experience on the show and baking at home:

‘When I heard that I had won I felt there was so much going on and it actually took me about two days to process it.   I couldn't stop smiling.  All my family were there cheering me on and when I finally held the trophy I started to believe it, and it was such a great feeling.

 ‘On the very first day it was mind blowing to be in the tent and then get Star Baker whoah! I couldn’t believe that I came top in the first challenge that we filmed, what a start.  I also got Star Baker on Day 5 (Pastry), and then Day 12 (Travel Day), and then Day 13 (Party Day). Mostly I was really, really shocked, it was really cool because sometimes I thought I didn’t do very well.

‘I loved the first episode as no other baker had to leave the tent…I was really happy as I had made friends with them all.  It was such a nice way to start the first day and I felt for the first time ‘I think I can do this’.

‘In the Final I baked ‘My Fun Fairy Tale’ for my Showstopper, which Liam said screams funfair! The bottom layer was black cocoa cake with a cookies and cream Swiss meringue buttercream filling ; the middle layer was zebra cake of caramel and popcorn, which Rav said she was obsessed with, and the top layer was a confetti cake with lemon and mascarpone flavourings and macerated strawberries.  It took a lot of work as there were so many components to it. I could hardly sleep the night before.  It was quite stressful and I was so relieved that I had finished it at the end, and it was standing and didn’t fall over. I wish it had been neater, but I felt that ‘it’s done now’ and when I walked out of the tent and looked back on it, I was pleased.

‘It’s hard to choose my best moment overall, but I think the first day when I got Star Baker and came first in the Technical.  It was really fun making the cakes, and it was magical to meet Rav, Liam and Harry.

‘When I heard I was going to be in the series I was in the kitchen and I had made a cake and my dad said ‘did you enjoy making that?’ and I said ‘yes’.  And my dad said ‘well, you are going to be making much more of those, as you have got into Junior Bake Off!’ It was a crazy moment!

‘I loved the final judging; there were only four of us and we were all very close - it was very intense and the judging was very positive about everyone’s cakes. There was definitely an air of excitement in the tent.

‘Harry was so funny on the last day but I was so nervous and stressed out I couldn’t concentrate on what he was saying.  I loved it when Harry played with all his props throughout the filming – we couldn’t always see it but we could definitely hear it, very funny.

‘My fellow finalists Miko, Umayr and Kitto - I love them all so much because I became really good friends with them and we had lots of inside jokes.   We had a really good friendship and I was so happy to be with them in the final.   We were all helping each other out and it was very friendly and great fun.

‘I watched the final at home with the family and we invited a few friends round.  I made some of the cakes from the final, and I watched it again to see it properly.  The trophy has been hidden in the back of the wardrobe in my bedroom and I think I am going to keep it on my bedside cabinet, so I can see it every day.

‘From being on Junior Bake Off, I have learnt the importance of cooling, as it really affects the whole bake, and also that trying new things does pay off. I have also learnt what a vox pop is! I think I have also realised how much effort goes into each show, and it has given me such an appreciation for all of the reality tv shows.

‘The whole experience was uplifting and everyday was magical.   I had no idea going into it but then when I was in there everyone was always helping.  I would say that my baking has improved and it’s given me the confidence to try different things.  I also learned an awful lot from all the other bakers.

‘Next for me this year are my mock GCSEs, so I have to concentrate on those, I really do enjoy school.  I would also love to get a Tik Tok and Instagram account at some point.   I will carry on baking and every two weeks at home I always make a cake for my family. My family all like different things.  I love baking with fruit, and I feel my specialty is piping, so most cakes get a topping, it’s non-negotiable!’

Biography

Aiyla lives in West Yorkshire with her parents and older sister Anaiya. Sweet treats are a rarity in Aiyla’s household, as her mum is a dentist, but none of the family can resist Aiyla’s lemon and raspberry blondies. Aiyla needs all the energy she can get for her various hobbies, including playing netball, ice-skating, learning French and mastering the piano. And when she’s not busy with school, hobbies, or baking, Aiyla will most likely be found with her nose in a book.

An accomplished and creative baker, Aiyla has been biding her time before applying for Junior Bake Off because she wanted to feel totally ready. She loves working with fruit and takes flavour inspiration from the various holidays she has been on with her family.

Q&A - Aiyla

*Why did you want to apply for this series of Junior Bake Off, and how many series have you watched? 

I have watched many seasons but I have to admit that I only started watching Junior Bake Off after series six or seven. This was the last year I could apply, (because of my age), so I decided to take a leap of faith and finally apply for the first time. 

*What was this year’s location like, and how soon did you make friends with the other bakers?

The location was very whimsical and quintessentially British, which I loved and the set was so fun and colourful. I made really good friends with the other bakers, who were all so unique and lovely. In the evenings, we went out for dinner and did talent shows and did ‘Just Dance’ to the point where we all have ‘Timber’ by Kesha memorised to each beat!

*How did you feel walking into the big white tent for the very first time?

It was such an unreal feeling to see my dream in real life and to see behind the scenes of the tent. The tent is even better than I imagined, with every single colour of food colouring possible, and it’s so big! I don’t know why I thought it wouldn’t be big, but it surprised me and was perfectly decorated.

*In your very first episode filming what was a magic moment for you? It can be in the tent or somewhere else

When Rav and Liam said my name for the first time it was so surreal. I couldn’t believe that they actually knew my name!

*Favourite Challenge on your very first day and why? 

I loved the Technical, as it was a very classic bake that was actually enjoyable. It was also so fun to talk to the camera and story producers because I felt like I was just chatting to friends.

*How long have you been baking and what would you say is your specialty bake?

I have been baking properly, (actually using a scale and not using boxed cake mix), since I was 8, so sevenish years – the best 7 years yet!

My specialty bake is a melt-in-the-middle chocolate cake, so it is like one big chocolate fondue cake. It is so moreish and best served warm, with homemade vanilla ice cream.

*Do your family ask you to bake for special occasions like birthdays, and what do they request? 

It is an unsaid rule in my family that I make every birthday dessert. Every single one. All my family ask for different things: my mum and grandma ask for a strawberry and whipped cream cake, my dad and uncle ask for a lemon meringue pie, and my sister asks for apple crumble.

*Favourite class or sport at school? 

My favourite class at school is French, as I love the language and the sound of it. My favourite sport is netball, and I play Goal Keeper.

*Have you got a teacher/family member that really encouraged you to get into baking, and who is it?

Three people got me into baking:

My auntie Diane – she is my mum’s colleague, and we used to stay at her house for the day during the holidays. She had the nicest garden with home-grown crops, and her own cookbook. She is an amazing baker and made baking so fun.

My aunt, who is a great cook, used to bake with me a lot too. We used to watch so many baking shows together like Junior Bake Off, and she really inspired me to get into the presentation side.

Buddy from Cake Boss – I used to watch Cake Boss all the time and the cakes were so incredible that I always wanted to recreate these cakes. Someday… 

*How hard was it to keep it a secret from your friends?

It was so hard to keep it a secret from my friends as it was such a huge part of my life for months, so I just dropped really subtle hints like, “are you watching Great British Bake Off? I love the Junior version. Have you watched it?”

*Did you love meeting Harry and was he funny? Out of the judges Rav and Liam who did you want to impress the most and why?

I loved meeting Harry, as he really is how he is on TV, but with more style. I wanted to impress both Rav and Liam, but I think that I wanted to impress Rav the most, as I wanted my pastry skills to impress the pastry chef herself.

*If you were stuck in a lift, who would you like it to be with. 

I would probably want to be with Miko, as she always has a backpack filled with the coolest snacks and essentials. She is also so relaxed, so I think she would calm me down.

*Who is your favourite chef on TV, and why?

I love Cedric Grolet! He is so talented, and everything he makes looks so delicious. His videos are my favourite!

*When you aren’t baking what are your other hobbies?

I love playing netball or reading

*Music that you bake to?

I just play a Spotify mix and call it a day!

*Who is your favourite popstar OR celebrity you would like to make a cake for and why? 

I would love to make a cake for the Princess of Wales as she is an icon and I would love for royalty to try my desserts.

*If you were a cake at a children’s party what would you be and why?

I think I would be a Colin the Caterpillar as they are so simple, fun and a classic. They are also my favourite!

*Can you remember the very first cake you ever had and what was it?

I don’t specifically remember my very first cake, but I do remember my 3rd or 4th birthday cake being an Ariel cake that looked amazing, as I had an obsession with Disney princesses.

*On your Bake-Off castaway desert island what utensil would you take with you and why?

I would take a fork so I could eat all the desserts on the desert islands.

*Can you tell us a baking joke? 

What should you do when you want to try something different with your baking?

Take a whisk!