10 Traybakes People Actually Want to Buy !

By Julia England

There is something wonderfully reassuring about a good traybake. At Milly's we know you like  a good traybake with your coffees - Let's get into it !

As a cafe owner, I've discovered that customers might admire an elaborate cake, but there's often a
very different reaction when they spot a generous square of brownie, rocky road or old-fashioned
school cake sitting on the counter.
They know exactly what they're getting. And quite often, they want one.

The best cafe traybakes aren't necessarily the most complicated. They need to look tempting, taste even better than they look and  have the " Mmmmm" factor ...

1. Chocolate Brownie
The dependable one.
A proper cafe brownie should be rich, deeply chocolatey and fudgy rather than dry and cakey. It's
also an excellent base for variations: caramel, Biscoff, chocolate orange, peanut butter or whatever
flavour is having its moment.
But never underestimate the appeal of the original.

2. School Cake
Sometimes nostalgia is much better than sophistication.
A light vanilla sponge, a layer of simple icing and far too many rainbow sprinkles immediately takes
people back to school dinners - although hopefully the cafe version tastes rather better.
It's surprisingly difficult for customers to resist.

3. Rocky Road
Chocolate, biscuits, marshmallows and whatever other delicious things you decide to throw into it.
Rocky road is forgiving, requires no elaborate decorating and looks fantastic when cut into chunky
squares.
It's also one of those bakes where you can see exactly what you're getting. Get all the good bits on show !!

4. Cherry Bakewell Slice
Some flavours simply don't need reinventing.
Almond and cherry are a brilliant combination, and a Bakewell-inspired traybake gives you all the
familiarity of the traditional tart in an easier cafe format.
A drizzle of icing and a scattering of flaked almonds make it look finished just as you like it !

5. Millionaire's Shortbread

This one earns its place.
Buttery shortbread, a thick layer of caramel and chocolate on top - it isn't pretending to be a light
snack. Too much base and it's dry; too little caramel and people feel cheated.
If you're going to make millionaire's shortbread, be generous.

6. Biscoff Slice
Some ingredients become popular for a reason.
Biscoff works particularly well in cafe bakes because its caramelised biscuit flavour is instantly
recognisable.  Melted biscoff drizzled over white chocolate - no words needed ...

7. Lemon Drizzle Traybake
Not everyone wants chocolate.
A really good lemon drizzle should be soft, sharp and sticky, with enough citrus to make your mouth
water.
It's particularly welcome on a counter full of brownies and chocolate slices because it gives you 
something completely different.

8. Caramel Cornflake Brownie
This is what happens when two excellent ideas decide to live together.
Start with a rich brownie and add a sticky caramel cornflake topping. You get fudgy, crunchy and
chewy in the same bite.
It also has that slightly outrageous appearance that makes someone point at the counter and say,
"What's THAT?"
That's usually a good sign.

9. Coconut & Jam Sponge
Another wonderfully old-fashioned bake.
Soft sponge, raspberry jam and coconut don't need fancy decorations or fashionable ingredients.
This is the sort of cake people remember their mum, gran or school cook making.
And food attached to a happy memory is remarkably powerful.

10. Chocolate Tiffin

Tiffin is rich, chocolatey and adaptable. Biscuits provide the crunch and you can add dried fruit,
sweets, caramel pieces or flavoured chocolate depending on the version you're creating.
Cut it small - it packs a punch.

What I've Learned From the Cafe Counter
A successful cafe cake doesn't have to be technically impressive.
It has to make somebody want to eat it.
Customers buy with their eyes first, but they come back because something tasted good. Generous
portions, familiar flavours and a little nostalgia often outperform something that took three times as
long to produce.
And perhaps that's the real secret of the traybake.
It's not trying terribly hard to impress anyone.
It's just sitting there beside your coffee looking delicious.
Sometimes that's all a cake needs to do.

What's your favourite? Tell us below x