Easy Vanilla Traybake

Find more recipes at fussfreeflavours.com

Close up of vanilla tray bake cut into squares, arranged on a porcelain board.

5 from 1 vote

This easy and delicious vanilla traybake recipe produces a delicious squares of moreish cake that store well and don't crumble when you pack them for your lunch. Fuss free with next to no washing up.

Servings: squares

Author: Helen Best-Shaw

Prep Time10

Cook Time25

Ingredients

110 g butter - melted
130 g light soft brown sugar - or dark
100 g caster sugar - I like golden
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
160 g plain flour - or use SR and leave out the baking powder
1 tsp baking powder
1 pinch salt - if using unsalted butter

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 180°C / 160°C Fan / Gas 4. Prepare a 8"/20 cm square baking tin by lining with parchment paper, and then greasing with butter or a light flavourless oil.
Put the butter into a large bowl or jug and melt in the microwave in 10 seconds bursts until just melted.
If you don't have a microwave, melt the butter over a pan of simmering water on the stove top.
Add the sugars and stir them in.
Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
Fold in the flour, baking powder and salt (if using). Mix until you have a thick glossy batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Give it a gentle shake to level it out.
Bake for 25–30* minutes, until risen and set
*If you don't have a fan oven you may need to turn the pan half way through cooking if your oven has hot spots. Do this as quickly and as gently as you can.
Stand the tin on a wire rack and allow to cool for 10–15 minutes so the cake firms up. Gently lift out of the pan and cut into 16 squares (4 x 4 pattern).

Notes

Store for up to 5 days by wrapping the squares up in the baking parchment in an airtight tin.

You can also wrap any leftovers well and freeze for 3 months. We never have leftovers, though!

To double the recipe use a 13" x 9" baking pan. Your traybake will be a bit thicker and take a few minutes more to cook

This recipe has proportionally more fat in it compared to some traybakes, so take time to stir the flour in properly. This will prevent any separation.

Use butter! Other spreads and substitutes have their place but it is not here. You want that buttery flavour.

Good quality vanilla extract makes a massive difference. Extract contains real vanilla, while essence often synthetically made and may contain little or no actual vanilla. You WILL taste the difference!

Nutritional Information

This recipe is 7 Weight Watchers Smart Points per portion

• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.

• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.