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Easy Chocolate Traybake Recipe: The Perfect One-Pan Dessert for Crowds

This simple chocolate traybake is the ultimate crowd-pleasing dessert with moist chocolate sponge and decadent fudgy icing. Perfect for parties, bake sales, or packed lunches, it comes together in minutes with pantry staples.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 380
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 250g self-raising flour
  • 250g caster sugar
  • 250g butter, softened
  • 4 large eggs
  • 50g cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 75ml milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 200g icing sugar
  • 50g cocoa powder
  • 75g butter, softened
  • 2-3 tbsp milk
  • Sprinkles or chocolate shavings for decoration (optional)

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4. Grease and line a 23x33cm baking tray with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, adding a tablespoon of flour with each egg to prevent curdling. Sift in the remaining flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder, then fold gently to combine. Stir in the milk and vanilla extract until you have a smooth, pourable batter.
  3. Pour the batter into your prepared tray and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cake is springy to touch and a skewer inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool completely in the tray.
  4. While the cake cools, make the icing by beating together the softened butter, icing sugar, and cocoa powder. Gradually add milk until you reach a spreadable consistency. Spread evenly over the cooled cake and decorate as desired.

Notes

Use room temperature butter and eggs for perfect texture, don't overmix the batter once flour is added, and allow cake to cool completely before icing.