Description
This delightful Traybake Cake is a classic, easy-to-make treat perfect for any celebration. With a soft, fluffy texture and a vibrant red icing topped with festive Christmas sprinkles, this cake promises to bring joy to your dessert table. Baked in a rectangular tin, it’s simple to prepare and serves 12, making it ideal for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
Cake
- 250 g Butter, softened
- 250 g Caster sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 4 Medium Eggs
- 250 g Self-raising flour
- 3 Tablespoons Milk
Icing and Topping
- 200 g Icing sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Milk
- Few Drops Red gel food colouring
- Few Tablespoons Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180℃ (160℃ for fan ovens) and line an 8×10-inch baking tin with parchment paper or grease it well to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and caster sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, then stir in the vanilla extract to combine.
- Mix Batter: Gradually add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then gently fold in the self-raising flour and milk a little at a time until you form a smooth, thick cake batter.
- Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared baking tin and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Place in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the tin for around 15 minutes. Then turn it out onto a wire rack and leave it to cool completely before adding the icing.
- Prepare Icing: In a bowl, mix the icing sugar with 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth and thick. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if too thick or more icing sugar if too thin.
- Add Colouring: Stir in red gel food colouring, adding more drops as needed to reach your desired vibrant shade of red.
- Ice and Decorate: Spread the red icing evenly over the cooled cake with a spatula or knife. While the icing is still wet, sprinkle generously with Christmas sprinkles to add festive flair.
- Set and Serve: Allow the icing to set and firm up at room temperature. Once set, cut the cake into slices and serve to enjoy the festive treat.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with the sugar.
- If using a fan oven, reduce the baking temperature to 160℃ to avoid overbaking.
- For a thicker icing, add more icing sugar gradually; for thinner icing, add more milk carefully.
- This cake can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Using gel food colouring ensures a vibrant colour without thinning the icing too much.
- Adjust sprinkles according to your preference or use other festive decorations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
