Our favourite traybake cake recipes

best traybake cake recipes
Traybake cake recipes Hearst Owned

Round layer cakes and bundt cakes look pretty, but a traybake cake, sliced into neat squares can be easier to serve when catering for a special occasion.

That's why we've turned some of our favourite classic cake, recipes from carrot cake to lemon drizzle cake, into traybakes.

Our go to traybake cake has to be the nostalgic school dinner cake - which is an easy vanilla sponge baked in a 20.5cm x 30.5cm baking tin and topped with an oh so easy glace icing and then sprinkled with hundreds and thousands.


Toasted Coconut Cake

You don’t need any fancy equipment to assemble this easy cake – simply mix, bake and enjoy.

Recipe: Toasted Coconut Cake

toasted coconut cake
Mike English - Hearst Owned


Vegan Chocolate Courgette Cake

You’d never know this cake contains courgettes – they can’t be seen at all when baked, but their presence helps add moisture and binds the cake (in place of egg).

Recipe: Vegan Chocolate Courgette Cake

vegan chocolate courgette cake
Mike English - Hearst Owned


Peach Melba Traybake

Based on the classic dessert created by French chef Auguste Escoffier, this fruity cake brings out the best of both the peach and raspberry flavours. This cake is easy to make gluten-free, simply use a suitable self-raising flour.

Recipe: Peach Melba Traybake

peach melba traybake
Mike English - Hearst Owned


Red Velvet Traybake

This retro, cocoa-flavoured favourite is perfect for a celebration.

Recipe: Red Velvet Traybake

red velvet traybake
Mike English - Hearst Owned


Rhubarb and Custard Meringue Traybake

A beauty with definite school dinner nostalgia about it – in a good way!

Recipe: Rhubarb and Custard Meringue Traybake

rhubarb and custard meringue traybake
Mike English - Hearst Owned


Black Forest Gateau Traybake

We’ve turned the retro classic into a traybake cake that’s soaked with kirsch syrup! If you want to make this cake booze free, then use tinned cherries in syrup instead.

Recipe: Black Forest Gateau Traybake

black forest gateau traybake
gh - Hearst Owned


Eggnog Traybake

We’ve turned the popular festive beverage into a light a fluffy traybake cake! If you want to make this cake alcohol-free, then simply omit the rum syrup.

Recipe: Eggnog Traybake

eggnog traybake
gh - Hearst Owned


Paloma Traybake Cake

We’ve turned the popular tequila cocktail into a boozy traybake cake. You can top with lime zest, instead of making the candied grapefruit slices if you prefer something speedier (just make the sugar syrup, simmer for 5min then add the tequila).

Recipe: Paloma Traybake Cake

paloma traybake cake
Hearst Owned


Tres Leches Cake

The literal translation of tres leches is three milks and originates from Mexico. This rich and decadent dessert is a must-try if you love creme caramel or dairy desserts. When pouring the two milks over the cake, don’t worry if they don’t sink in immediately - it will absorb eventually, but takes a bit of time.

Recipe: Tres Leches Cake

tres leches cake
Oscar Hather - Hearst Owned


Victoria sponge traybake cake

Victoria sponge is a classic cake recipe that should be at the top of any baking list when it comes to birthdays, afternoon teas and big celebrations. This Victoria sponge recipes is a traybake - so it's easier to slice when feeding a crowd.

Recipe: Victoria sponge traybake cake

victoria sponge traybake cake
Mike English - Hearst Owned


Banoffee pie traybake cake

We've taken the classic banoffee combination and turned it into a traybake cake recipe. If you're a fan of banoffee pie, we'd also recommend our banoffee pie cookie recipe.

Recipe: Banoffee pie traybake cake

sticky banoffee traybake cake
Good Housekeeping - Hearst Owned


Biscoff traybake cake

This Biscoff traybake couldn't be easier. In fact it only uses three ingredients - Biscoff, eggs and baking powder.

Recipe: Biscoff traybake cake

best easy baking recipes biscoff cake
Hearst Owned


Carrot traybake cake

This soft and fluffy carrot cake recipe is topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting. If you prefer a classic round carrot cake check out our best ever carrot cake recipe.

Recipe: Carrot traybake cake

best easy baking recipes carrot cake traybake cake
Hearst Owned


Millionaire Brownie Traybake

This recipe combines two classic bakes... brownies and Millionaire's Shortbread. Fudgy brownie studded with shortbread topped with caramel and chocolate.

Recipe: Millionaire Brownie Traybake

millionaire brownie traybake
Mike English - Hearst Owned


Lemon drizzle traybake cake

Lemon drizzle cake is the ultimate cake if you're planning on snatching the office bake off crown.

Recipe: Lemon drizzle traybake cake

lemon drizzle traybake cake
Hearst Owned


Jam sponge traybake

Jam sponge pudding is a nostalgic classic. This takes the school dinner fave and turns it into a traybake cake.

Recipe: Jam sponge traybake

jam slice traybake cake
Hearst Owned


Creme eggs traybake cake

This Easter baking recipe is an indulgent treat. A gooey chocolate traybake is topped with a rosette of buttercream and half a mini creme egg.

Recipe: Creme eggs traybake cake

easter chocolate cake recipes crème egg traybake cake
Hearst Owned


School dinner cake

Nostalgic baking recipes have been growing in popularity. This school dinner cake is not only comforting but also, easy to make. It's a vanilla sponge, topped with icing and sprinkled with hundreds and thousands. A wonderful treat to brighten the day.

Recipe: School dinner cake

easy baking recipes school dinner cake
Hearst Owned


Chocolate traybake cake

This chocolate traybake cake, decorated with Smarties, would make the perfect birthday cake.

Recipe: Chocolate traybake cake

chocolate traybake cake recipe
Hearst Owned


Strawberry milkshake traybake cake

A traybake cake that taste just like a strawberry milkshake is the perfect birthday cake.

Recipe: Strawberry milkshake traybake cake

dish, food, cuisine, strawberry, strawberries, ingredient, strawberry pie, dessert, baked goods, cream,
Good Housekeeping - Hearst Owned


Jaffa cake traybake cake

For Jaffa Cake fans this traybake is a must. Vanilla sponge, topped with an orange jelly layer and covered in chocolate.

Recipe: Jaffa cake traybake cake

jaffa cake tray bake
Good Housekeeping - Hearst Owned


Simnel cake traybake

We love a round simnel cake but if you're short on time this super easy traybake version is still just as delicious.

Recipe: Simnel cake traybake

best easter recipes easy simnel cake
Good Housekeeping - Hearst Owned


Blackberry traybake cake

A super simple seasonal cake for late summer filled with blackberries in an almond flavoured sponge.

Recipe: Blackberry traybake cake

blackberry traybake cake
Good Housekeeping - Hearst Owned


Coffee and walnut traybake cake

Coffee and walnut cake is a classic, like lemon drizzle and a Victoria sponge. This version uses ground cafetiere coffee in the icing.

Recipe: Coffee and walnut traybake cake

coffee and walnut cake
Good Housekeeping - Hearst Owned


Amaretto Sour tray bake

This cocktail inspired recipe is really just a lemon drizzle cake - with the addition of amaretto.

Recipe: Amaretto Sour tray bake

amaretto sour traybake
Good Housekeeping UK - Hearst Owned


Blackberry crumble traybake

This delicious blackberry traybake cake has a crumble almond topping.

Recipe: Blackberry crumble traybake

blackberry crumble traybake cake
Good Housekeeping - Hearst Owned


Apricot and almond traybake

This is an easy traybake cake using chopped dried apricots and ground almonds.

Recipe: Apricot and almond traybake

apricot and almond tray bake
Good Housekeeping UK - Hearst Owned

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