Mary Berry's Traybake Triumphs: Easy Recipes for Delicious Results

Mary Berry, the queen of baking, is renowned for her simple yet scrumptious recipes. Her traybakes are particularly popular, offering minimal fuss with maximum flavour. This article explores several variations on Mary Berry's traybake theme, providing you with the tools to create delicious treats for any occasion. We'll focus on the core principles behind her approach and offer modifications to personalize your bakes.

The Magic of Mary Berry's Traybakes

Mary Berry's traybake recipes prioritize ease and efficiency. The key elements are:

• Simple Ingredients: She often uses readily available pantry staples, minimizing the need for specialist ingredients.
• One-Pan Wonders: The entire bake happens in a single tray, simplifying preparation and cleanup.
• Adaptable Recipes: Her base recipes are easily adaptable to different tastes and preferences, allowing for creative customization.

Three Delicious Mary Berry-Inspired Traybake Recipes

While precise recipes bearing her name might require accessing specific cookbooks, we can explore variations inspired by her style. Remember to always adjust baking times according to your oven.

1. Classic Lemon and Poppy Seed Traybake

This vibrant bake is perfect for afternoon tea or a light dessert.

Ingredients:

• 175g (6oz) softened butter
• 175g (6oz) caster sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 175g (6oz) self-raising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Zest of 2 lemons
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp poppy seeds

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan/Gas Mark 4). Grease and line a large baking tray.
2. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then fold in the flour and baking powder.
4. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and poppy seeds.
5. Pour the mixture into the prepared tray and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
6. Dust with icing sugar before serving.

2. Chocolate Chip and Hazelnut Traybake

This decadent treat satisfies any chocolate craving.

Ingredients:

• 175g (6oz) softened butter
• 175g (6oz) caster sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 175g (6oz) self-raising flour
• 50g (2oz) cocoa powder
• 100g (3.5oz) chocolate chips
• 50g (2oz) chopped hazelnuts

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan/Gas Mark 4). Grease and line a large baking tray.
2. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then fold in the flour and cocoa powder.
4. Stir in the chocolate chips and hazelnuts.
5. Pour the mixture into the prepared tray and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
6. Allow to cool slightly before cutting into squares.

3. Apple and Cinnamon Traybake (with a crumble topping!)

A comforting classic with a delightful crumble topping.

Ingredients:

(Cake Base):

• 175g (6oz) softened butter
• 175g (6oz) caster sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 175g (6oz) self-raising flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

(Crumble Topping):

• 50g (2oz) plain flour
• 50g (2oz) brown sugar
• 50g (2oz) cold butter, cubed

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan/Gas Mark 4). Grease and line a large baking tray.
2. Cream together the butter and sugar for the cake base until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then fold in the flour and cinnamon.
4. Gently fold in the sliced apples.
5. Pour the mixture into the prepared tray.
6. For the crumble: Combine the flour, brown sugar, and cold butter in a bowl. Rub the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles breadcrumbs.
7. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple mixture.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and the crumble is crisp.

Tips for Traybake Success

• Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing can lead to a tough texture.
• Use good quality ingredients: This will enhance the overall flavour of your bake.
• Let the traybake cool slightly before cutting: This will prevent it from crumbling.
• Get creative with toppings: Experiment with different fruits, nuts, and spices to create your own unique variations.

By following these recipes and tips, you can create delicious and impressive traybakes inspired by the baking expertise of Mary Berry. Enjoy the process and the delicious results!