Gingerbread Traybake

Sticky Gingerbread Traybake is an old-fashioned teatime favourite. Ice it if you like, or eat it plain.

Gingerbread Traybake

To ice or not to ice

If you're a ginger cake aficionado, this is another plain, but satisfying cake to add to your repertoire. If you really like icing, or you're eating the cake soon after making, add some glace icing (icing sugar plus water).

If I want to take some Gingerbread Traybake out and about, e.g. for a picnic or to eat when walking the hills, then I keep it plain - less mess. Just wrap in foil and eat as required.

How hot is your ginger?

I'm not a great abider by Best Before dates. Often they're there to cover the supplier and they are always talking about quality, not safety, of food. (Use By dates are different - they are concerned with safety and tell you when the food might go off.)

But when it comes to spices, particularly ginger, I'm a bit more vigilant - which to me means:

• If it's 6 months over it's fine
• If it's a year over, use more
• If it's two years over, replace it.

Ground ginger definitely loses its fire with keeping, so if yours is a bit past it - use more or buy some more.

For more details about food labelling see this excellent article from the NHS.

Is my tin big enough?

The mixture in this recipe completely fills the tin. It doesn't really rise (despite all that baking powder), so you're okay, but every time I make it I think I've used the wrong tin!

How long will Gingerbread Traybake keep?

This is one cake that gets better with age. I quite like it when it's first made, but 2 weeks later it's my favourite thing. It gets moister and stickier as it ages - yum! I keep mine in a plastic box in the fridge and expect it to last for 3-4 weeks at least.

What equipment do you need?

• 30x23cm traybake tin - This is the tin that I use for large traybakes, e.g. for entertaining or bake sales and it's just the right size for this Gingerbread Traybake recipe. You can cut the cake into about 24-30 pieces.
• Magic liner – Cut to fit the traybake tins and roasting tins you use most. You wash it every time. Nothing sticks and it doesn’t need greasing

If you like this...

...Why don’t you try:

Iced Ginger Cake

Iced Ginger Cake is moist and warming - and easy to make.

Ginger Shortbread

Ginger Shortbread uses ground ginger in the biscuit and fudge icing to give this traditional shortbread recipe a warm spice flavour.

Ginger biscuits

Crunchy or chewy, these ginger biscuits are easy to make and quick to cook

Recipe

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Gingerbread Traybake

Gingerbread Traybake is an old-fashioned teatime favourite. Ice it or eat it plain.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course: Teatime

Cuisine: British

Servings: 24 pieces

Author: Susie@Everyday Cooks

Ingredients

• 3 large eggs
• 250 ml milk
• 250 g butter
• 250 g light brown sugar
• 250 g golden syrup
• 250 g black treacle
• 250 g plain/all-purpose flour
• 250 g plain wholemeal flour
• 5 teaspoons baking powder (25ml)
• 2 tablespoons ground ginger (30ml)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (5ml)

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

Traybake tin 30x23cm/12x9-inch

Magic Liner

or

Baking parchment

Instructions

Preparation:

• Grease and line the tin with baking parchment or magic liner
• Preheat the oven to 170°C/ 150°C fan/ gas mark 3/ 325°F
• Beat the eggs and milk together in a small bowl

For the Gingerbread Traybake:

• Gently heat the butter, sugar, golden syrup and treacle together in a medium saucepan, stirring until smooth
• Allow to cool slightly
• In a large mixing bowl, mix together both flours, baking powder, ginger and cinnamon
• Pour the treacle mix and the egg mix into the flour and stir thoroughly to combine, then beat well.

  Alternatively, use a mixer on LOW and then HIGH
• Pour the mixture into the baking tin and bake for 45-60 minutes
• The cake is ready when it is golden brown and springs back when you touch the surface with your finger
• Cool in the tin for 15 minutes. Turn out onto a wire cooling rack and leave until completely cool
• Cut into squares to serve.

Notes

Everyday Cooks Tips:

Variation:

• Ice Gingerbread Traybake before cutting, with glace icing (250g icing sugar mixed with 2-3 tablespoons (30-45ml) hot water)

Storage:

• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month - or freeze