Great British Bake Off 2014: Best ever cakes

From Frances' Midsummers Night Dream wedding cake to John's gingerbread Roman Colosseum these bakes will set your taste buds tingling

The Great British Bake Off has a history of amazing, mouthwatering cakes (BBC)

Our taste buds are preparing for a tingling and our mouths a watering ahead of tonight’s Great British Bake Off, as another dozen hopefuls head for Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood’s judging tent.

But will any of this year’s contestants compete with the best cakes from past series?

From 17-year-old Martha to ‘nerdy baker’ Jordan, the incoming group have already been touted as the most professional yet, with Luis from Stockport tipped for the most creative inventions if his Tequila Slammer Cheesecake is anything to go on.

Back in October, more than 9 million people tuned in to watch designer Frances be crowned winner after presenting her stunning Midsummer Night’s Dream wedding cake.

Frances created a huge number of top bakes during her time on the show, with her imaginative Secret Squirrel cake also deserving a mention for intricate detail.

Rival 2013 contender Kimberley also turned heads, her Spiced Butternut Squashed Toadstool House in the quarter finals looked almost too good to eat.

Victoria’s Blackbird Pie cake from the first week of series three won her the star baker accolade and remains one of the more memorable creations, while John’s gingerbread Roman Colosseum and final showstopper Heaven and Hell cake earned him the title.

Danny’s blackberry, white chocolate, lemon and elderflower torte was praised as “absolutely delicious”, also in series three, while Mary Anne’s, marbled melting moments in the first season have been attempted by many an aspiring baker.

So, no pressure Bake Off newbies, none at all.