Mary Berry Vanilla Tray Bake Recipes - Easy, Delicious & Expert Tips
Mary Berry’s Vanilla Tray Bake is your go-to recipe for a quick, easy, and delicious dessert. Made with classic ingredients like soft margarine, self-raising flour, and vanilla extract, this timeless sponge cake is incredibly versatile. Whether you serve it plain or get creative with variations like berries, chocolate, or citrus zest, it’s a foolproof recipe for beginner and experienced bakers alike. With its light texture and delicate vanilla flavor, this tray bake is perfect for birthdays, tea parties, or just as a treat with a cup of tea!
Ingredients
For the Sponge:
- 225 g 8oz self-raising flour
- 225 g 8oz caster sugar
- 225 g 8oz soft margarine or butter
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 4 large free-range eggs
- 2 tablespoons of milk
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
For the Buttercream Icing (Optional):
- 100 g 4oz softened butter
- 200 g 8oz icing sugar
- 2 tablespoons of milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/Gas Mark 4. Grease and line a rectangular baking tin—I use one that’s 12x9 inches, but anything similar will work.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the sponge (self-raising flour, sugar, margarine, eggs, milk, baking powder, and vanilla extract). Using an electric hand whisk—or yes, a fork if you’re in a pinch—mix until smooth and creamy. Be sure not to overmix, as this can make the sponge dense.
Step 3: Bake
- Pour the batter into your prepared tin, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Bake on the middle shelf of the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden brown and a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Step 4: Cool and Ice
- Let the sponge cool for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Once it’s completely cool, make your buttercream icing by beating the butter, icing sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until creamy. Spread the icing over the sponge, smoothing it out for that classic tray bake look.