Mary Berry Coffee and Walnut Traybake Recipe

Mary Berry Coffee and Walnut Traybake is a light, moist, and beautifully fragrant sponge infused with gentle coffee flavour and topped with smooth coffee icing and crunchy walnuts. It’s the perfect bake for afternoon tea, celebrations, office events, school parties, or any time you want a reliable cake that slices neatly into squares. With a tender crumb and a rich yet balanced flavour, this traybake delivers everything people love about a classic coffee and walnut cake—just in an easy tray format.

What Is Mary Berry’s Coffee and Walnut Traybake?

Mary Berry Coffee and Walnut Traybake is a rectangular sponge cake made with coffee-infused batter and studded with chopped walnuts. The baked sponge is finished with a silky coffee icing and topped with walnut halves. Since it bakes in a tray, it’s ideal for feeding a crowd and cutting into even squares.

Other Popular Vanilla Tray Bake Recipes

• Mary Berry Vanilla Tray Bake
• Mary Berry Coconut Traybake
• Mary Berry Malteser Tray Bake
• Mary Berry Victoria Sponge Traybake

Why This Recipe Is Worth Trying

• Effortlessly simple – Uses an all-in-one mixing method that saves time.
• Perfect coffee flavour – Balanced richness without overwhelming sweetness.
• Feeds a crowd – Ideal for gatherings, bake sales, and sharing plates.
• Beautiful texture – Light sponge paired with crunchy walnuts.
• Beginner-friendly – Straightforward steps with reliable results.
• Customisable – Easy to adjust sweetness, icing, or walnut quantity.

Essential Ingredients to Make Mary Berry Coffee and Walnut Traybake

For the Sponge

• 225g self-raising flour
• 225g caster sugar
• 225g softened butter
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp strong instant coffee (dissolved in 1 tbsp hot water)
• 75g chopped walnuts
• 2 tbsp milk (optional, if batter feels thick)

For the Icing

• 200g icing sugar
• 1 tbsp strong instant coffee (dissolved in 1 tbsp hot water)
• 1–2 tbsp water (as needed to loosen)
• Walnut halves for topping

Handy Kitchen Tools for Best Results

• 30x23cm traybake tin
• Mixing bowl
• Electric whisk or hand whisk
• Spatula
• Baking parchment
• Sieve
• Cooling rack

Ingredients You’ll Need Again for the Steps

• Self-raising flour
• Baking powder
• Caster sugar
• Butter
• Eggs
• Coffee mixture
• Walnuts
• Icing sugar
• Walnut halves

Step-by-Step Instructions to Prepare Mary Berry Coffee and Walnut Traybake

Step 1: Prepare your tray

Line the traybake tin with baking parchment and lightly grease it so the sponge lifts out easily.

Step 2: Preheat the oven

Heat the oven to 160°C (fan) or 180°C (conventional) to ensure an even rise.

Step 3: Mix the sponge ingredients

Add flour, sugar, butter, eggs, baking powder, dissolved coffee, and chopped walnuts into a large bowl. Beat until the batter becomes smooth, creamy, and well combined.

Step 4: Adjust consistency

If the batter feels thick, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk to achieve a soft dropping consistency.

Step 5: Spread the mixture into the tray

Pour the batter into the lined tin and level the surface with a spatula to ensure even baking.

Step 6: Bake the sponge

Bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool completely

Let the sponge cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then move it to a rack and allow it to cool fully before icing.

Step 8: Prepare the icing

Mix icing sugar with the dissolved coffee and a little water until smooth and spreadable.

Step 9: Ice and decorate

Spread the icing evenly over the cooled sponge and top with walnut halves. Allow the icing to set before slicing into squares.

What I Got Wrong (And How I Fixed It)

• Coffee flavour too weak – Using stronger instant coffee fixed the imbalance.
• Sponge turned dense – Avoiding overmixing kept the texture light and airy.
• Walnuts sank to the bottom – Tossing them lightly in flour helped distribute them evenly.
• Icing too runny – Adding more icing sugar quickly corrected the consistency.

Healthier Version of Mary Berry Coffee and Walnut Traybake

• Replace half the butter with Greek yoghurt for a lighter sponge.
• Use reduced-sugar icing or drizzle instead of a full layer.
• Choose walnuts lightly toasted for deeper flavour without adding sugar.
• Swap half the caster sugar for a natural sweetener like erythritol.

Ingredient Substitutions for Mary Berry Coffee and Walnut Traybake

• Almonds can replace walnuts if preferred.
• Brown sugar can be used instead of caster sugar for a caramel note.
• Espresso powder can be substituted for instant coffee.
• Margarine works in place of butter for a softer crumb.

Pairing Ideas: What to Serve With Mary Berry Coffee and Walnut Traybake

• A hot cup of coffee – Enhances the cake’s coffee flavour beautifully.
• English breakfast tea – A classic pairing that softens the sweetness.
• A dollop of whipped cream – Lightens the sponge and adds richness.
• Fresh berries – Creates a refreshing contrast.
• Iced latte – Ideal for warm weather gatherings.

Expert Tips to Make Perfect Mary Berry Coffee and Walnut Traybake

• Use strong coffee – It ensures the flavour doesn’t get lost after baking.
• Keep ingredients at room temperature – This helps the batter mix smoothly.
• Mix only until combined – Prevents the sponge from becoming dense.
• Don’t skip cooling fully – Warm sponge will cause icing to melt.
• Toast the walnuts lightly – Boosts their flavour and aroma.
• Sift the icing sugar – Avoids lumps in the icing.
• Cut with a clean, sharp knife – Ensures neat squares.

Creative Ways to Customize Mary Berry Coffee and Walnut Traybake

• Add a chocolate drizzle – Coffee and chocolate pair wonderfully.
• Include mini chocolate chips – Adds little bursts of sweetness.
• Make a coffee buttercream topping – For a richer version.
• Swirl in caramel – Adds a warm, sweet contrast to the coffee.
• Top with crushed walnuts – Creates extra crunch and visual appeal.

How to Store Leftover Mary Berry Coffee and Walnut Traybake

• Keep in an airtight container – Stays fresh for up to 4 days.
• Refrigerate in warm weather – Keeps icing firm and prevents melting.
• Freeze the un-iced sponge – Freezes well for up to 3 months.
• Thaw at room temperature – Retains moisture and texture.

How to Reheat Mary Berry Coffee and Walnut Traybake

• Microwave a slice for 6–8 seconds – Softens the crumb while keeping it moist.
• Warm in the oven at 140°C for 4 minutes – Gives a freshly baked aroma.
• Avoid reheating once iced – Warm gently to keep icing intact.

Nutritional Value (per serving)

• Calories: ~305
• Carbohydrates: 37g
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 15g
• Sugar: 29g
• Sodium: 150mg

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FAQs

How do I make sure the coffee flavour is strong enough in a coffee and walnut traybake?

For a richer flavour, dissolve instant coffee in the smallest amount of hot water possible so the mixture stays concentrated. Using espresso powder instead of regular instant coffee also boosts intensity without adding extra liquid to the sponge.

Why did my coffee and walnut traybake turn out dense instead of light and fluffy?

A dense sponge usually means the batter was overmixed or the baking powder wasn’t evenly combined. Mix the ingredients only until smooth and ensure your baking powder is fresh. Room-temperature butter and eggs also help the traybake rise properly.

How can I stop the walnuts from sinking to the bottom of the sponge?

Toss the chopped walnuts in a teaspoon of flour before folding them into the batter. This helps them stay suspended evenly throughout the sponge instead of settling during baking.

How do I get a smooth coffee icing for this traybake?

Sieve the icing sugar first, then add the dissolved coffee gradually until the icing reaches a thick-yet-spreadable consistency. Spread it over a fully cooled sponge to keep the icing from melting or becoming patchy.

Final Words

Mary Berry Coffee and Walnut Traybake is a timeless bake that combines soft sponge, rich coffee flavour, and the satisfying crunch of walnuts. Its simplicity, generous portions, and reliable results make it perfect for gatherings, celebrations, or everyday snacking. This traybake is one of those dependable recipes that feels classic, comforting, and incredibly delicious.