Junior Bake Off 2026: Britain’s Young Baking Talent Returns for Series 11

6 January 2026 Competitions and Culinary Arts

The Return of Junior Bake Off

The eleventh series of Junior Bake Off began airing on 5 January 2026 on Channel 4, bringing back the beloved baking competition that has captured the hearts of viewers across Britain. Junior Bake Off is back for an 11th series of cakes, cookies and capers, with a fresh batch of 16 young bakers hoping to be crowned Britain’s best. This enduring programme continues to showcase the remarkable talents of children aged 9 to 15 from across the United Kingdom.

The Presenting Team

For the seventh series in a row, Harry Hill will present the series, with returning judges Ravneet Gill and Liam Charles. Comedian Harry Hill brings his badges and bonhomie to the role of host, issuing a raft of ingenious new challenges in his inimitably chaotic style. The judging panel features pastry chef and restaurant owner Ravneet Gill and Great British Bake Off favourite Liam Charles, who bring their expertise and encouragement to the young contestants.

Competition Format and Challenges

16 Junior Bakers, aged between 9 and 15 and drawn from all over the UK, are split across two weeklong sets of heats, with eight bakers in each. Each themed weekday episode – Cake, Biscuit, Bread, Dessert and Pastry – consists of a tricky technical and spectacular showstopper challenge. It’s Cake Day for the heat one bakers as they put a novelty twist on the classic Victoria sandwich and recreate their mascot in cake form.

Why Junior Bake Off Matters

The series represents much more than a baking competition. It provides a platform for young people to develop confidence, creativity, and culinary skills in a supportive environment. Junior Bake Off is a British television baking competition in which young bakers aged 9 to 12 tackle a series of challenges involving baking cakes, biscuits, bread, and pastries, competing to be crowned Junior Bake Off Champion. The programme inspires a new generation of bakers whilst entertaining families across the nation, continuing the legacy of its parent show, The Great British Bake Off, which has made baking accessible and exciting for viewers of all ages.