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Looking for a bake that’s both nostalgic and never goes out of style? Then say hello to our Smarties® chocolate traybake. With soft chocolate sponge, generous slathers of chocolate buttercream and the colourful crunch of Smarties®, it’s a bake that delivers big flavour and even bigger smiles. It’s also quick and easy, so get the kids involved and make an afternoon of it! No fancy layers, no fuss, just classic chocolate deliciousness that’s great for parties, bake sales and everything in between. 

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How to Store the Chocolate Traybake 

You can store your colourful chocolate traybake in an airtight container. Keep it at room temperature and it will be good for up to three days. If you want to get ahead of any school bake sale or birthday party, bake and freeze the un-iced cake in an airtight container for up to three months! To defrost, simply leave the cake in the fridge overnight and ice it in the morning. 

Chocolate Traybake Variations 

Looking for a few tasty tweaks and turns? Try adding orange or mandarin zest to the sponge for a citrus zing. Flavoured extracts like peppermint, hazelnut, almond or rose are an easy way to add a touch of sass to your chocolate traybake. For a white chocolate swirl of flavour, replace the chocolate buttercream with our smooth and creamy Milkybar® Buttercream.  

Serving Suggestions   

Our chocolate traybake is as versatile as it is colourful and delicious. Slice it into 20 squares and be the star of the show at the school bake sale. Along with our chewy Smarties® cookies and cupcakes, it’s also great for kids' parties, a summertime picnic or treat your family and friends at your next games night. It goes beautifully with a coffee for the grown-ups, or a glass of cold milk for the kids. 

Ever wondered if Smarties® have a flavour, and where they get their vibrant colours from? Explore our Smarties® Flavours article and find out. 

  • 60 min
  • 20 servings

You will need

  • 18x23cm baking tin
  • Baking paper
  • An electric whisk (optional)
  • A palette knife (optional)

For the cake

  • 85g light buttery spread, melted
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 150g self-raising flour
  • ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 150g caster sugar
  • 25g cocoa powder

For the chocolate buttercream 

  • 100g buttery baking spread
  • 25g cocoa powder
  • 150g icing sugar
  • 1 tbsp hot water

To Decorate

  • 2 x 38g Smarties® tubes
50249466-smarties-milk-chocolate-tube-38g-mobile

Smarties Milk Chocolate Tube 38g

Each square (1/20) typically contains:
  • Energy 759kJ 181Kcal 9%
  • Fat 8.4g 12%
  • Saturates 3.1g 16%
  • Sugars 17.3g 19%
  • Salt 0.31g 5%

of an adult’s Reference Intake (RI)*
Energy per 100g: 1813kJ/433kcal

 

 

Method

For the cake

  1. Preheat the oven to 160°C/140° fan/gas 3 and line a rectangular baking tin (18 x 23cm) with baking paper.
  2. In a large bowl, mix in the melted baking spread, eggs and vanilla extract.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, bicarbonate of soda, caster sugar and cocoa powder, then whisk to combine.
  4. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, then fold until combined and glossy.
  5. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking tin and spread it out evenly into the corners using the back of a dessert spoon or a palette knife, if you have one. Bake for 20-25 minutes until risen, springy to the touch and until a cocktail stick inserted comes out clean. Leave to settle in the tin for ten minutes, then pop out onto a wire rack to cool.
     

For the chocolate buttercream

  1. Whisk the buttery baking spread in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
  2. Gradually whisk in the sifted icing sugar and cocoa powder, then add one tablespoon of hot water and beat it until it's super smooth and creamy.
     

To assemble

  1. Spread an even layer of buttercream on the top of the cake.
  2. Scatter the Smarties® over the top – get the kids to help!

Top Tips

The key to any great chocolate sponge cake is not to overbake it. No one likes dry sponge cake, so keep an eye on it! Check it at the 25-minute mark, and if it’s done, pull it out. The cake will continue baking as it sits in the tray, so make sure you turn it out onto a cake rack to cool after 10 minutes. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be rewarded with moist, chocolatey sponge cake every time.  

Questions
How many servings does this traybake make?

We recommend slicing the cake into 20 square portions of tasty cake.  

What is the secret to moist chocolate cake?

A great chocolate cake needs the right ratio of liquid to fat, and we’ve got the ideal ratio just for you in our chocolate traybake. 

What toppings are best on a chocolate traybake?

Crunchy and colourful Smarties® and sprinkles are the classic options, but why stop there? You could add chopped KitKat®, grated Milkybar® or Rowntree’s® Randoms for a tasty chewy contrast to the cake.  

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