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Mary Berry Tottenham Cake Recipe

Mary Berry Tottenham Cake

Tottenham Cake is a light sponge cake topped with pink icing and coconut flakes, originally created in Tottenham, North London.

Historically, it was a budget-friendly bakery treat, often sold in large squares so everyone could enjoy a slice. Despite its simplicity, the cake became famous for its fluffy texture and sweet pink topping.

Mary Berry’s version keeps the traditional style but focuses on achieving a soft sponge base and smooth icing that spreads evenly across the cake.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Sponge Cake

  • 225 g self-raising flour

  • 175 g unsalted butter (softened)

  • 175 g caster sugar

  • 3 large eggs

  • 2 tbsp milk

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • 1 tsp baking powder

For the Pink Icing

  • 200 g icing sugar

  • 23 tbsp water

  • A few drops of pink food coloring

For the Topping

  • 2 tbsp desiccated coconut

Instructions

  • Prepare the oven and tin – Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 9-inch square baking tin. Line it with baking parchment.

  • Cream butter and sugar – Beat the butter and caster sugar together until light and fluffy.

  • Add eggs gradually – Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

  • Combine dry ingredients – In a separate bowl, sift together self-raising flour and baking powder.

  • Fold the batter – Gently fold the flour mixture into the batter, adding milk and vanilla extract.

  • Transfer to the tin – Pour the batter into the prepared tin and smooth the surface.

  • Bake the cake – Bake for 25–30 minutes until the sponge is lightly golden and springs back when pressed.

  • Cool completely – Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a cooling rack.

  • Prepare the icing – Mix icing sugar with water until smooth, then add a few drops of pink food coloring.

  • Decorate the cake – Spread the pink icing evenly over the cooled cake and sprinkle with coconut.

  • Cut into squares – Slice into neat squares once the icing has set.