Vanilla Tray Bake

This vanilla tray bake is a simple and quick dessert to make. A classic and traditional recipe for a lazy Sunday afternoon or a children’s party.

Who doesn’t love cake? I have shared quite a few cake recipes on here, such as my chocolate cake recipe and red velvet cake recipe.

This is my first traybake, and what better recipe to share than the classic school sprinkle cake? This vanilla traybake recipe really is so simple to make. Easy to make with the kids and even easier to eat!

The first step involves creaming the butter and sugar together. For this step to be done properly, it is very important that the butter is softened.

Softened butter is butter that holds its shape well but leaves an indentation when pressed.

For this recipe, the butter should not be used directly from the refrigerator or melted. This will change the texture of the cake.

If the butter was left in the refrigerator by accident, simply microwave it for no more than 10 seconds to achieve the desired softness.

I specify a 9-inch pan, but you can use an 8-inch pan that can be substituted, but the cake will be thicker and take longer to bake. Cooking time for an 8-inch pan will be 40-45 minutes

The cake should be baked in the centre of the oven. This is because it allows the heat to circulate the cake and distribute it evenly, ensuring that the cake cooks evenly.

As with all cake recipes, it is vital that you do not overmix the batter. Simply mix until there are no traces of flour. Overmixing the batter will give you a dense crumb, instead of the moist crumb that we are looking for.

School sprinkle cake is always topped with a glaze rather than a thick frosting. It is extremely easy to make and only requires two ingredients.

It is critical that the water be added a spoon at a time. Otherwise, the icing will become too runny. If this happens, add icing sugar to thicken it again.

You can add some buttercream frosting instead of the glaze, but the glaze is much simpler and exactly like how it’s made in school. Serve with warm custard and enjoy as a tasty teatime snack.

Check out these recipes

Here are some more recipes for you to enjoy! If you like them don’t forget to rate and leave a comment.

• Chocolate Cake
• Blueberry Streusel Cake
• Banana Chocolate Chip Cake
• Red Velvet Cake
• Chocolate Dipped Doughnuts

If you have any recipe suggestions, please do not hesitate to ask me. A great way to stay in contact with me is through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Don’t forget to tag me @cookwithnabeela in your recipe photos!

Vanilla Tray Bake

by Nabeela Kauser

Vanilla tray bake is a lovely dessert ideal for sharing with family and friends. This is a simple and nostalgic school dinner classic. A wonderful traybake that will brighten any occasion with its moist sponge and rainbow sprinkles.

5 from 7 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Course Baking, Dessert

Cuisine British, Western

Servings 8

Calories 548 kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

Sponge:

• ▢ 200 g Butter Unsalted, softened
• ▢ 200 g Sugar
• ▢ 4 Eggs
• ▢ 200 g Plain Flour
• ▢ 1 tsp Baking Powder
• ▢ 2 tbsp Milk
• ▢ 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Glaze:

• ▢ 300 g Icing Sugar
• ▢ 2 tbsp Water

Decorations:

• ▢ Sprinkles

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F and grease a 9-inch square pan with butter and line with parchment paper
• In a mixing bowl cream together the butter and sugar until there are no traces of sugar
• Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking until fully incorporated after each addition. With the last egg add the vanilla extract
• Add half of the plain flour and the baking powder then mix until just combined
• Add the remaining flour along with the milk then mix until there are no traces of flour
• Pour the batter into the tin and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the skewer comes out clean
• Allow the cake to cool completely before preparing the glaze
• In a small bowl add the icing sugar and the water then mix until well combined – the icing should slowly glide off the spoon when lifted, if it is too thick then add a drop of water at a time until the right consistency is reached
• Pour the glaze on top of the cake then top with the sprinkles
• Allow to set for 10 minutes, then cut into slices before serving

Notes

Nutritional facts:

The provision of nutritional information is done so merely as a courtesy and should not be taken as a guarantee.

Nutrition

Calories: 548kcalCarbohydrates: 82gProtein: 6gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 136mgSodium: 90mgPotassium: 71mgFiber: 1gSugar: 62gVitamin A: 750IUVitamin D: 1µgCalcium: 57mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Cakes, Dessert, Food, Recipe, Sprinkles, Sweet, Traybakes, Vanilla

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