Traybake Chocolate Recipe

Heavenly Traybake Chocolate Recipe for Sweet Tooth Joy

Chocolate traybake desserts revolutionize weeknight sweet indulgences with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Simple ingredients combine to create a decadent treat that feels like a luxurious bakery experience.

Rich cocoa flavors mingle with a tender, moist crumb that melts in your mouth.

Mixing happens quickly in one bowl, making cleanup a breeze.

Dark chocolate drizzles add an elegant touch to this classic comfort dessert.

Pantry staples transform into a show-stopping treat that impresses without complicated techniques.

Bake this delightful chocolate wonder and watch smiles light up around the table.

Questions People Ask About Mary Berry Traybake Chocolate

  • Can I replace cocoa powder with drinking chocolate mix?

No, cocoa powder and drinking chocolate mix have different compositions. Drinking chocolate contains sugar and milk powder, which will alter the cake’s texture and sweetness. Always use unsweetened cocoa powder for baking.

  • How do I know when the traybake is perfectly baked?

Insert a skewer or toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the cake is done. Avoid overbaking, which can make the cake dry.

  • Why should I brush the cake with apricot jam before icing?

Apricot jam creates a thin, smooth layer that prevents crumbs from mixing into the chocolate icing. It also adds a subtle fruity flavor and helps the icing adhere better to the cake surface.

Why Mary Berry Traybake Chocolate Is A Favorite

Why Mary Berry Traybake Chocolate Is A Favorite
  • Craft Chocolate Delight: This traybake delivers rich, decadent chocolate flavor with minimal kitchen effort, perfect for chocolate lovers who want maximum taste with minimal work.
  • Simplify Dessert Making: The recipe requires basic ingredients and straightforward mixing technique, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced home cooks.
  • Impress Without Stress: Decorative white chocolate feathering creates a professional-looking dessert that appears more complex than the actual preparation, allowing you to wow guests with minimal technical skill.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Suitable for multiple occasions like afternoon tea, family gatherings, potlucks, or casual dessert cravings, this chocolate traybake fits numerous social settings and preferences.

What You Need For Mary Berry Traybake Chocolate

Main Ingredients:
  • Cocoa: A rich, dark powder that provides deep chocolate flavor and color to the traybake.
  • Boiling Water: Helps dissolve the cocoa and create a smooth chocolate base for the cake.
  • Butter: Adds moisture and richness to the sponge, creating a tender texture.
Sponge Ingredients:
  • Flour, Sugar, Eggs: The classic combination that creates the soft and light cake structure.
  • Baking Powder: Ensures the cake rises and becomes light and fluffy.
Decoration and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Apricot Jam: Provides a light glaze that adds shine and helps the icing adhere to the cake.
  • Dark Chocolate, Cream: Combined to create a smooth, glossy chocolate icing.
  • White Chocolate: Used for decorative piping and creating a feathered design on top of the cake.

How To Make Mary Berry Traybake Chocolate

How To Make Mary Berry Traybake Chocolate

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 180°C/350°F, creating the perfect cozy environment for your chocolate creation. Grab a baking tray and line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.

Step 2: Create Chocolate Base

In a mixing bowl, whisk together:
  • Cocoa powder
  • Boiling water

Stir until the mixture becomes silky smooth and glossy, eliminating any stubborn lumps.

Step 3: Build the Cake Batter

Blend in your ingredients with a mixer or whisk:
  • Softened butter
  • Remaining cake ingredients

Mix just until everything combines, being careful not to overmix and create a tough texture.

Step 4: Prepare for Baking

Spread the batter evenly into your prepared tray, ensuring a smooth surface. Pop it into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 5: Add Fruity Glaze

Once the cake has cooled slightly, brush the surface with apricot jam, creating a shiny and flavorful base for the icing.

Step 6: Craft the Chocolate Icing

Gently heat cream in a saucepan, then pour over chocolate. Stir until the mixture becomes a glossy, smooth chocolate blanket.

Step 7: Ice the Cake

Pour the warm chocolate icing over the cake, allowing it to cascade and cover the entire surface with decadent chocolate goodness.

Step 8: Create Decorative Swirls

Pipe delicate white chocolate lines across the surface. Use a cocktail stick to create elegant feathered patterns, transforming your cake into a work of art.

Step 9: Let the Magic Settle

Allow the cake to rest and set completely before slicing into beautiful, rich chocolate squares.

Tips For Great Mary Berry Traybake Chocolate

  • Choose Quality Cocoa: Select high-quality cocoa powder for a rich, deep chocolate flavor that elevates the entire traybake.
  • Master Mixing Technique: Combine ingredients just until mixed to prevent overmixing, which can create a tough, dense cake texture.
  • Perfect Baking Timing: Check cake at 30 minutes by inserting a skewer – it should come out with a few moist crumbs for ultimate moistness.
  • Smooth Icing Trick: Let chocolate ganache cool slightly before spreading to achieve a glossy, even coating without running off the cake.
  • Creative Decoration: Use a cocktail stick to create elegant feathered patterns by dragging through white chocolate lines for a professional bakery finish.

Creative Spins On Mary Berry Traybake Chocolate

  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Haven: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend for celiac-friendly option.
  • Vegan Chocolate Delight: Swap butter with coconut oil, use plant-based milk, and replace eggs with mashed bananas or flax eggs.
  • Low-Sugar Chocolate Option: Substitute sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reduce overall sugar content for diabetic-friendly version.
  • Dairy-Free Chocolate Dream: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, replace butter with dairy-free margarine for lactose-intolerant individuals.

What To Pair With Mary Berry Traybake Chocolate

  • Pair with Rich Red Wine: Complement the deep chocolate flavors with a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, which enhances the cake's intense cocoa notes and balances its sweetness.
  • Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Create a luxurious dessert experience by adding a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream alongside the chocolate traybake, offering a cool contrast to the warm chocolate intensity.
  • Match with Espresso or Strong Coffee: The robust coffee's bitter undertones perfectly cut through the cake's richness, creating a classic and sophisticated dessert pairing that elevates the chocolate's complexity.
  • Accompany with Fresh Raspberries: Introduce a tart and bright element with fresh raspberries, which provide a zesty counterpoint to the dense chocolate cake and add a refreshing fruity dimension.

How To Store Mary Berry Traybake Chocolate Properly

  • Store covered in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place parchment between layers to prevent sticking.
  • Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
  • Keep in sealed container at cool room temperature for 2-3 days. Ensure away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
  • Warm individual slices in microwave for 10-15 seconds. Alternatively, let cake sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore soft texture.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Traybake Chocolate Recipe

Traybake Chocolate Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: Not specified
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Irresistible chocolate traybake promises pure dessert magic for chocolate enthusiasts. Sweet layers of rich chocolate and delicate crumb melt seamlessly, delivering comfort in each delectable bite you’ll savor.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 275g caster sugar
  • 3 large free-range eggs
  • 175g self-raising flour
  • 200g milk chocolate, finely chopped or grated

Wet Ingredients:

  • 6 tablespoons boiling water
  • 125 milliliters milk
  • 100 milliliters double cream
  • 34 tablespoons warmed, sieved apricot jam

Baking and Chocolate Ingredients:

  • 50g cocoa powder
  • 100g baking spread or soft butter
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 100g white chocolate

Instructions

  1. Whisk cocoa powder with boiling water until achieving a glossy, velvety consistency.
  2. Incorporate softened butter into the cocoa mixture, then gently fold in remaining cake ingredients until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
  3. Transfer batter into a parchment-lined baking tray, ensuring an even spread.
  4. Slide tray into a preheated oven at 180°C and bake for approximately 35 minutes, or until a skewer emerges clean when inserted.
  5. Allow cake to cool slightly, then delicately brush surface with a thin layer of apricot jam for added moisture and flavor.
  6. Prepare ganache by warming cream until it reaches a gentle simmer, then pour over chocolate and stir until achieving a silky, uniform texture.
  7. Pour glossy chocolate icing over the cake, using a spatula to create an even, smooth coating.
  8. Create elegant decorative pattern by piping melted white chocolate across the surface, then drawing a cocktail stick through lines to produce a feathered effect.
  9. Permit chocolate to set completely at room temperature before slicing into precise, clean squares.

Notes

  • Cocoa Hydration Hack: Dissolve cocoa powder completely in boiling water to ensure a rich, deep chocolate flavor without lumps.
  • Butter Temperature Trick: Use room temperature butter for smoother batter mixing and more even cake texture.
  • Mixing Mindset: Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense cake – stop mixing as soon as ingredients are just combined.
  • Decorative Swirl Secret: Create elegant chocolate patterns by gently dragging a cocktail stick through the white chocolate lines while icing is still soft.
  • Prep Time: 0 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 470
  • Sugar: 45g
  • Sodium: 180mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 55g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 90mg
Jackson Reid

Jackson Reid

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Single-serving recipe development
  • Global flavor fusion
  • Minimalist cooking techniques
  • Food photography and styling

Education

Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and hands-on kitchen training


Jackson’s love for cooking began one dish at a time. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from Holyoke Community College’s HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he focused on what mattered most: creating recipes that are simple to follow and full of flavor.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Jackson brings together global influences and a less-is-more approach. His recipes reflect his belief that good food doesn’t need to be complicated; it just needs to make sense, taste great, and feel right.
When he’s not testing ingredients or adjusting seasonings, you’ll find him hiking near Asheville, exploring local markets, or chasing the best light for food photos.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star