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Chocolate Traybake
4.7 from 92 votes

Chocolate Traybake

Chocolate Traybake is a moist chocolate cake baked in a rectangular pan, using a combination of cocoa powder, espresso powder, and buttermilk for depth of flavor and tender crumb. The cake is topped with a smooth chocolate frosting made from melted dark chocolate, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, butter, and milk, then decorated with chocolate sprinkles, M&Ms, and shavings for extra texture and appearance. This cake provides a rich chocolate dessert suitable for sharing at gatherings or casual occasions.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 15 -20 slices
Calories: 490 kcal
Course: Cake
Cuisine: British

Ingredients

  • 180 ml whole milk
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice to sour milk (or use buttermilk)
  • 300 g all-purpose flour plain / all purpose, 2 ½ cups
  • 60 g cocoa powder unsweetened
  • 330 g sugar use half granulated, half light brown if you like, 1 ⅔ cups
  • 1 tbsp espresso powder (optional)
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tbsp bicarbonate of soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 200 g butter softened (or margarine, unsalted
  • 3 egg medium
Chocolate Frosting
  • 175 g dark chocolate chips melted and cooled, 1 cup
  • 260 g sugar powdered / sugar
  • 6 tbsp cocoa powder unsweetened
  • 150 g unsalted butter ⅔ cup, softened
  • 120 ml milk slightly warm, ½ cup
To decorate
  • chocolate sprinkles
  • M&Ms
  • chocolate shavings

Instructions

Make the cake
    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F). Line a 9x13inch rectangular with baking paper.
  2. Mix the milk and lemon juice and leave to stand for 5 minutes to sour the milk (alternatively use buttermilk)
  3. Put the flour, cocoa powder and sugar in large bowl. Add the espresso powder if using, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt and mix together using a balloon whisk.
  4. Add the butter, eggs and soured milk.
  5. Start beating on the lowest speed setting until the ingredients start to come together. Increase the speed gradually, until the batter is completely smooth. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to make sure everything is incorporated.
  6. Transfer the batter in the prepared tin and level. Transfer the batter into the prepared sheet pan, level and bake for 35 -40 minutes.
  7. Check the cake is done by inserting a skewer in the middle - it should come out clean, the cake should be well risen golden and springy to the touch. Cool the cake on a wire rack before frosting.
Chocolate Frosting
  1. Put the chocolate in a bowl and melt in the microwave, in short 30 second bursts, until it melts. Alternatively, set the bowl over a pot of simmering water and allow if to melt gradually using this double boiler method. Leave the chocolate to cool slightly.
  2. Put the icing sugar and cocoa powder in a mixing bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer) and mix together to combine. If you can, sift the ingredients into the bowl.
  3. Add the softened butter and start mixing on low speed, gradually adding the milk until the frosting is well combined.
  4. Add the melted and cooled chocolate and beat together until the frosting holds soft peaks. Go ahead and taste it… try not to eat it all!
Assemble the Cake
  1. Use a palette knife to spread the frosting over the cake, swirling the surface. This cake has A LOT of frosting (if you haven’t eaten it beforehand).
  2. Add sprinkles, chocolate buttons, smarties or leave plain. Slice the cake using a serrated knife, wiping the knife clean between each slice.

Notes

  • The cake maintains freshness for 2-3 days when stored at room temperature but is best served fresh.
  • Freezing is possible for up to three months; wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and place in a labeled, freezer-safe container.
  • To serve after freezing, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before slicing.

Nutrition Information

Calories 490kcal (25%) Carbohydrates 67g (22%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 24g (37%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Cholesterol 36mg (12%) Sodium 439mg (18%) Potassium 256mg (5%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 47g (94%) Vitamin A 941IU (19%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 94mg (9%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 15 -20 slices

Amount Per Serving

Calories 490

% Daily Value*

Calories 490kcal 25%
Carbohydrates 67g 22%
Protein 6g 12%
Fat 24g 37%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 36mg 12%
Sodium 439mg 18%
Potassium 256mg 5%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 47g 94%
Vitamin A 941IU 19%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 94mg 9%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.