If you have a soft spot for rich, indulgent treats that warm the heart and brighten the day, then the Mary Berry Coffee Fudge Traybake Recipe is going to be your new best friend in the kitchen. This classic British dessert marries the deep, aromatic notes of coffee with a luscious, creamy fudge frosting, creating a traybake that’s both comforting and irresistibly delicious. Whether you’re baking for afternoon tea, a weekend treat, or to impress guests with something homey yet elegant, this recipe promises decadence in every bite with an easy-to-follow method that anyone can master.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every great bake starts with the right ingredients, and this traybake shines because of how simple yet purposeful each component is. From the buttery smoothness to the coffee’s robust flavor, these ingredients come together to create a perfect balance of taste and texture.
- Unsalted butter softened: Essential for richness and creating the cake’s tender crumb.
- Light brown sugar: Adds warmth and moisture, plus a hint of caramel notes.
- Large eggs: The binding agents that bring structure and lightness.
- Self-raising flour: Provides lift and a soft, fluffy base.
- Baking powder: Works alongside the flour to ensure a nice rise.
- Instant coffee dissolved in hot water: Infuses a strong, aromatic coffee flavor directly into the batter.
- Milk: Loosens the batter for a perfect moist texture.
- Icing sugar: Sweet and smooth, vital for the luscious coffee fudge icing.
- Additional unsalted butter for the frosting: Gives the icing its creamy, spreadable consistency.
- Vanilla extract: Adds depth and enhances the coffee notes in the frosting.
- A little more instant coffee dissolved: Boosts the coffee flavor in the icing for that irresistible fudge layer.
How to Make Mary Berry Coffee Fudge Traybake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Mix the Batter
Begin by heating your oven to 350°F and lining a 9×13 inch traybake tin with parchment paper. This ensures easy removal after baking. In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with the light brown sugar until the mixture becomes light, creamy, and fluffy – this step is key to a soft texture. Next, add the large eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before the next goes in, preventing any curdling and ensuring an even batter. Stir in the instant coffee dissolved in hot water to distribute the coffee flavor evenly throughout the cake.
Step 2: Adding Dry Ingredients and Milk
Gently fold in the self-raising flour along with the baking powder to preserve airiness. Be careful not to overmix because overworking the batter can make the traybake dense. Once blended, pour in the milk to loosen the batter slightly – this helps achieve that moist, tender crumb Mary Berry’s recipes are famous for. Pour the smooth batter into the prepared tin, spreading it evenly so it bakes uniformly.
Step 3: Baking the Traybake
Place your traybake tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. To test if it’s done, use a skewer or toothpick and insert it into the center of the cake – if it comes out clean without wet batter clinging to it, your traybake is perfectly cooked. Once baked, leave it to cool completely in the tin to firm up before moving on to the heavenly icing.
Step 4: Preparing the Coffee Fudge Icing
While the cake cools, whip up the frosting by beating butter until creamy and smooth. Gradually add the icing sugar, dissolved instant coffee, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until the frosting is spreadable yet rich. This coffee fudge icing is what transforms the traybake from delicious to utterly divine – a silky layer that melts on your tongue with intense coffee fudge goodness.
Step 5: Frost and Slice
Spread the coffee fudge icing generously over the completely cooled traybake. This ensures it sets beautifully without melting into the cake. Use a sharp knife to cut into 16 even squares for a perfect portion size. And just like that, your Mary Berry Coffee Fudge Traybake Recipe is ready to wow everyone who’s lucky enough to try it!
How to Serve Mary Berry Coffee Fudge Traybake Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of elegance and texture, you can sprinkle chocolate shavings or a light dusting of cocoa powder on top of the frosting. A tiny dust of instant coffee powder can also enhance the aroma and add a delicate visual hint of the coffee flavor that runs through every bite.
Side Dishes
This traybake pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea, naturally enhancing its own coffee richness. For a more indulgent experience, serve alongside a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to balance the buttery sweetness and provide a cool contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Why not turn your traybake into bite-sized treats by cutting into tiny squares and serving on elegant trays for a party? Alternatively, layering them with whipped cream and fresh berries in mini glass jars makes for a charming coffee-flavored dessert parfait, perfect for impressing friends with a little extra flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your traybake will keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for several days. Keep in mind that the coffee fudge icing holds up perfectly, so you can enjoy the same fresh taste for days without worrying about it drying out or losing flavor.
Freezing
If you want to make this ahead or save some for later, the traybake freezes beautifully. For best results, freeze in an airtight container or wrap tightly in cling film and foil after cutting into squares. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature until softened but still cool enough to hold its shape.
Reheating
While reheating is not typically necessary, if you prefer your traybake slightly warm, pop a square in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This slightly melts the coffee fudge frosting into gooey perfection without steaming the cake too much.
FAQs
Can I use regular coffee instead of instant coffee in the recipe?
Instant coffee works best here because it dissolves fully and disperses evenly in the batter and icing. Using brewed coffee might change the batter’s consistency and flavor intensity. If you only have brewed coffee, reduce any added liquid elsewhere accordingly and be cautious with quantity.
Is this traybake suitable for vegetarians?
Yes! The Mary Berry Coffee Fudge Traybake Recipe contains no meat or gelatin-based ingredients, making it perfect for vegetarians seeking a tasty dessert.
How can I make the coffee flavor stronger?
For a more pronounced coffee hit, simply increase the amount of dissolved instant coffee in both the batter and the fudge icing. Just be careful not to add too much liquid overall to maintain the right cake texture.
Can I substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative?
You can substitute the butter with a high-quality dairy-free spread, but keep in mind the flavor and texture might differ slightly. Use a spread good for baking that can hold the structure without excessive moisture.
What type of flour is best for this traybake?
Self-raising flour is recommended to get that light, fluffy cake with an even rise, as it already contains the right amount of raising agents. If you only have plain flour, add baking powder as instructed but make sure to measure carefully.
Final Thoughts
Whipping up the Mary Berry Coffee Fudge Traybake Recipe is truly a rewarding experience, blending simple ingredients to create a spectacularly rich and moist cake with a creamy coffee fudge topping. It’s a delightful bake that invites you to gather around, sip coffee, and enjoy heartfelt conversations. I can’t recommend this traybake enough for your next baking adventure—it’s a surefire celebration of classic flavors that never goes out of style.
Print
Mary Berry Coffee Fudge Traybake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 squares
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Mary Berry’s Coffee Fudge Traybake is a moist and fluffy British dessert featuring a light coffee-flavored sponge topped with a rich and creamy coffee fudge icing. Perfect for coffee lovers, this traybake combines the subtle bitterness of instant coffee with the sweetness of brown sugar and icing sugar, resulting in a delightful treat ideal for teatime or as a dessert.
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 225g unsalted butter, softened
- 225g light brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 225g self-raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp instant coffee dissolved in 2 tbsp hot water
- 2–3 tbsp milk
Coffee Fudge Icing
- 75g unsalted butter, softened
- 150g icing sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp instant coffee dissolved in 1 tbsp hot water
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Tin: Heat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) traybake tin with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Make the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and light brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which takes about 3-5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next to maintain a smooth batter.
- Add Coffee and Dry Ingredients: Stir in the dissolved instant coffee. Then gently fold in the self-raising flour and baking powder, taking care not to overmix. Finally, add the milk a little at a time to loosen the batter to a spreadable consistency.
- Bake the Traybake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared tin and smooth the surface with a spatula. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cake has risen and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Remove the traybake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the tin to make spreading the icing easier and prevent melting.
- Prepare the Coffee Fudge Icing: Beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the icing sugar, dissolved coffee, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until the icing is smooth and spreadable.
- Ice and Serve: Spread the coffee fudge icing evenly over the cooled traybake. Cut into 16 squares and serve.
Notes
- For a stronger coffee flavor, increase the amount of dissolved coffee in both the batter and the icing.
- This traybake keeps well for several days when stored in an airtight container.
- Optional: Add chocolate shavings on top of the icing for an extra indulgent touch.
