Description
Mary Berry Vanilla Tray Bake is a classic British cake made in a rectangular tin, making it easy to cut into squares or slices. The cake is light and tender, flavored with vanilla extract, and topped with a simple icing. It’s a versatile bake that can be left plain, decorated with sprinkles, or customized with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 225g (8 oz) self-raising flour: Provides the structure and lift for the cake.
- 225g (8 oz) caster sugar: Sweetens the cake and creates a tender crumb.
- 225g (8 oz) unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and moisture to the cake.
- 4 large eggs: Binds the ingredients together and helps the cake rise.
- 2 tsp baking powder: Ensures the cake rises well.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract: Adds a sweet, aromatic flavor to the cake.
- 2 tbsp milk: Helps to achieve the perfect batter consistency.
For the Icing:
- 300g (10.5 oz) icing sugar: Sweetens and thickens the icing.
- 3–4 tbsp water: Used to adjust the consistency of the icing.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Infuse the icing with vanilla flavor.
- Sprinkles or decorations (optional): Add a festive touch to the tray bake.
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease and line the baking tin with parchment paper.
- Mix the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift the self-raising flour and baking powder together, then fold into the wet mixture until fully combined. Add the milk and mix until the batter is smooth.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking tin and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
For the Icing:
- Make the Vanilla Icing: In a mixing bowl, sift the icing sugar, then gradually add the water and vanilla extract, mixing until you achieve a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Ice the Cake: Once the cake is completely cool, pour the icing over the top, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Add sprinkles or decorations if desired.
- Let the Icing Set: Allow the icing to set at room temperature before slicing the cake into squares or slices.