Mary Berry’s Lemon Drizzle Traybake is a lemon-infused sponge cake baked in a rectangular tin, and then topped with a simple lemon sugar drizzle. The drizzle soaks into the cake, enhancing the lemony flavor and adding a slight crunch on top. This traybake is one of Mary Berry’s most loved recipes, known for its refreshing taste and moist texture.
Preheat your oven to 160°C (140°C fan) or 325°F. Grease the rectangular baking tin and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and caster sugar together with an electric mixer or whisk until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure the mixture is smooth.
Sift the self-raising flour and baking powder into the bowl. Add the milk and gently fold the mixture until just combined.
Fold in the finely grated zest of 2 lemons, ensuring it’s evenly distributed for a consistent lemon flavor throughout the cake.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking tin, spreading it evenly with a spatula to ensure the top is smooth.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden brown and springy to the touch.
While the cake is baking, mix the granulated sugar and juice of 2 lemons in a bowl to create the lemon drizzle. Stir until the sugar is partially dissolved, leaving a few grains for texture.
When the cake is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes in the tin. Use a skewer to poke small holes all over the cake, then pour the lemon drizzle evenly over the surface. The drizzle will soak into the cake, adding extra lemony flavor.
Allow the cake to cool completely in the tin. Once cooled, use the parchment paper to lift it out, and slice into squares or bars to serve.