Mary Berry Salted Caramel Traybake Recipe

Mary Berry Salted Caramel Traybake is a soft, buttery sponge topped with a rich, glossy salted caramel icing that melts beautifully into every slice. It’s the perfect bake for birthdays, afternoon tea, parties, or whenever you need a crowd-pleasing dessert that feels indulgent yet simple to prepare. This traybake has a light, tender crumb and a smooth caramel topping that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and salty.

With minimal equipment and easy-to-follow steps, this recipe delivers reliable results and a flavour that feels both classic and modern.

What Is Mary Berry Salted Caramel Traybake?

Mary Berry Salted Caramel Traybake is a rectangular sponge cake baked in a tray, topped with a buttery salted caramel icing. The sponge uses basic ingredients like flour, eggs, and butter, while the topping combines caramel, butter, icing sugar, and sea salt for a luxurious finish.

Other Popular Mary Berry Recipes

• Mary Berry Chocolate Courgette Cake
• Mary Berry Vanilla Cupcakes
• Mary Berry Banana Muffins

Why This Recipe Is Worth Trying

• Feeds a crowd – Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, and celebrations.
• Simple method – Basic mixing steps with consistent results even for beginners.
• Amazing flavour balance – Sweet sponge paired with salty caramel icing.
• Stays moist for days – The caramel topping helps keep the cake soft.
• Decorates easily – Works with nuts, chocolate drizzle, or simple sea salt flakes.

Essential Ingredients to Make Mary Berry Salted Caramel Traybake

• 225g self-raising flour
• 225g unsalted butter, softened
• 225g caster sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk
• A pinch of salt

For the salted caramel icing:

• 100g unsalted butter
• 150g soft brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons milk
• 200g icing sugar, sifted
• ½ teaspoon sea salt (plus extra flakes for topping)

Handy Kitchen Tools for Best Results

• Traybake tin (30 × 23 cm) – Ensures even baking and ideal thickness.
• Electric hand mixer – Helps create a light, fluffy sponge.
• Mixing bowls – Useful for combining batter and icing ingredients.
• Heatproof saucepan – Needed for melting the caramel icing base.
• Offset spatula – Ideal for spreading icing smoothly across the traybake.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Mary Berry Salted Caramel Traybake

Step 1 — Prepare the tray

Grease and line the traybake tin with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan).

Step 2 — Cream butter and sugar

Beat softened butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy, creating the foundation for a soft sponge.

Step 3 — Add eggs and vanilla

Mix in the eggs one by one, followed by vanilla extract. Add a spoonful of flour if the batter begins to curdle.

Step 4 — Fold in dry ingredients

Add the flour, salt, and milk, folding gently until you have a smooth batter without overmixing.

Step 5 — Bake the sponge

Spread the batter evenly into the lined tin and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden and springy when touched.

Step 6 — Make the caramel icing

Melt butter and brown sugar together in a saucepan. Stir in milk, bring to a gentle boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat. Whisk in icing sugar until smooth and thick.

Step 7 — Ice the traybake

Pour the warm icing over the cooled sponge and spread evenly. Sprinkle sea salt flakes on top.

Step 8 — Slice and serve

Let the icing set before slicing into neat squares.

What I Got Wrong (And How I Fixed It)

• Adding icing while the cake was warm – Caused melting; cooling the sponge first gave clean layers.
• Letting caramel boil too long – Made the icing gritty; 1 minute of simmering kept it smooth.
• Using salted butter – Made the icing too salty; switching to unsalted balanced the flavour.
• Overbaking the sponge – Dried out the cake; checking early kept it soft.

Healthier Version of Mary Berry Salted Caramel Traybake

• Use light butter spread instead of full-fat butter.
• Swap part of the sugar for honey for natural sweetness.
• Reduce icing thickness for fewer calories.
• Replace half the flour with wholemeal flour for fibre.
• Add chopped nuts or fruit for extra nutrients.

Ingredient Substitutions for Mary Berry Salted Caramel Traybake

• Swap vanilla extract for almond extract for a nutty twist.
• Replace brown sugar with coconut sugar for a deeper caramel taste.
• Use plant-based butter and milk for a dairy-free version.
• Add chocolate chips to the sponge for extra indulgence.
• Use maple syrup to flavour the icing for a unique finish.

Pairing Ideas: What to Serve With Mary Berry Salted Caramel Traybake

• Whipped cream – Softens the sweetness and adds lightness.
• Vanilla ice cream – A cool contrast to the caramel topping.
• Fresh berries – Balances the richness with tart notes.
• Hot coffee or tea – Complements the caramel flavor perfectly.
• Warm caramel drizzle – For an indulgent dessert plate.

Expert Tips to Make Perfect Mary Berry Salted Caramel Traybake

• Keep the caramel warm – It spreads easiest when freshly melted.
• Do not overbake – Moist sponge makes the traybake irresistible.
• Sift icing sugar – Ensures a smooth icing with no lumps.
• Use sea salt flakes – They dissolve slowly and give pure flavour.
• Spread icing quickly – It firms fast as it cools.
• Cut when fully set – Gives sharp, bakery-style slices.

Creative Ways to Customize Mary Berry Salted Caramel Traybake

• Add chopped pecans – Enhances flavour and crunch.
• Swirl in chocolate – Create a marbled effect on top.
• Add banana slices – Makes a banana–caramel fusion cake.
• Sprinkle toffee pieces – Adds texture and sweetness.
• Top with flaked almonds – For a nutty finish.
• Use dark caramel – For a bittersweet, deeper flavour.

Storing Mary Berry Salted Caramel Traybake the Right Way

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–4 days.
• Refrigerate if your kitchen is warm to keep the icing firm.
• Freeze slices individually for up to 2 months.
• Separate layers with parchment to prevent sticking.

How to Reheat Mary Berry Salted Caramel Traybake (If Needed)

• Warm slices in the microwave for 10 seconds for a softer sponge.
• Heat in a low oven at 140°C for 3–4 minutes.
• Avoid reheating repeatedly to prevent dryness.

Nutritional Breakdown (per serving)

• Calories: ~310
• Protein: 3g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fat: 15g
• Sugar: 28g

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FAQs

How do I keep salted caramel icing smooth and lump-free?

Make sure the icing sugar is fully sifted and whisk it into the warm caramel mixture while it’s still fluid. Working quickly while the mixture is warm prevents lumps and gives a glossy, smooth finish.

Why did my salted caramel icing turn grainy?

Graininess usually comes from boiling the caramel mixture for too long. Keep the simmering to about one minute and stir continuously so the sugar dissolves fully without crystallising.

How do I stop my traybake sponge from becoming dry?

Avoid overbaking by checking the sponge at the 25-minute mark. Removing it as soon as it becomes springy to the touch ensures the crumb stays soft and moist.

Can I adjust the salt level in the caramel icing?

Yes, you can increase or reduce sea salt depending on your taste. Start with a small amount and add extra flakes on top after icing to control the final flavour.

Wrapping It Up

Mary Berry Salted Caramel Traybake is a sweet, indulgent, and wonderfully simple bake that delivers both flavour and convenience. With its soft sponge, silky caramel icing, and perfect hit of salt, it’s ideal for sharing and guaranteed to impress..