Who doesn’t love a good tray bake? Delicious, easy to make, and perfect for sharing, tray bakes are a quintessential part of any home baker’s repertoire. And when you add the sweet, tropical flavor of coconut and the tangy goodness of jam, you’ve got a winning combination that’s sure to please. In this article, we’ll show you two different recipes for coconut and jam tray bake – one with raspberry jam, and one with apricot jam – that are both delicious and easy to make. So, grab your apron and let’s get baking!
Coconut and Raspberry Jam Tray Bake
Ingredients:
- 225g unsalted butter, softened
- 225g caster sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 225g self-raising flour
- 100g desiccated coconut
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 jar raspberry jam
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/ gas mark 4. Grease and line a rectangular baking tray (approx. 20 x 30cm).
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Sift in the flour and fold gently until just combined.
- Add the desiccated coconut and vanilla extract, and mix well.
- Spoon half of the mixture into the prepared tray, and smooth it out with a spatula.
- Spoon the raspberry jam on top of the mixture, and spread it out evenly.
- Top with the remaining mixture, and smooth it out with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Leave to cool in the tray for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of recipe)
Calories: 407
Total Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 102mg
Sodium: 126mg
Total Carbohydrates: 49g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 32g
Protein: 5g
Cooking Time:
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Equipment:
- Rectangular baking tray (approx. 20 x 30cm)
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Spatula
- Sieve
- Wire rack
Serving Suggestions:
This coconut and raspberry jam tray bake is delicious served warm or cold, with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. It’s perfect for sharing at a party or a picnic, and it makes a great dessert or afternoon tea treat.
Variations:
If you’re not a fan of raspberry jam, you can use any other flavor of jam you like – strawberry, blackcurrant, blueberry, or even apricot. You can also add chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit to the mixture for extra texture and flavor.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have self-raising flour, you can use plain flour and add 2 tsp of baking powder. You can also use margarine instead of butter, and coconut sugar instead of caster sugar for a healthier option.
Storage:
This tray bake will keep well in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 1 month – just defrost it at room temperature before serving.
Tips:
- Make sure the butter is softened before you start – it will make it easier to cream it with the sugar.
- Don’t overmix the flour – fold it in gently until just combined to avoid tough, dry cake.
- Use a good quality jam for the best flavor.
- Allow the tray bake to cool completely before slicing it – this will help it hold its shape better.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use fresh raspberries instead of jam?
Yes, you can. Just sprinkle fresh raspberries on top of the first layer of cake mixture, then add the remaining mixture on top.
Can I use coconut flour instead of desiccated coconut?
No, you can’t. Coconut flour is much denser than desiccated coconut, and it will affect the texture of the cake.
Coconut and Apricot Jam Tray Bake
Ingredients:
- 225g unsalted butter, softened
- 225g caster sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 225g self-raising flour
- 100g desiccated coconut
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 jar apricot jam
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/ gas mark 4. Grease and line a rectangular baking tray (approx. 20 x 30cm).
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Sift in the flour and fold gently until just combined.
- Add the desiccated coconut and vanilla extract, and mix well.
- Spoon half of the mixture into the prepared tray, and smooth it out with a spatula.
- Spoon the apricot jam on top of the mixture, and spread it out evenly.
- Top with the remaining mixture, and smooth it out with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Leave to cool in the tray for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of recipe)
Calories: 407
Total Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 102mg
Sodium: 126mg
Total Carbohydrates: 49g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 32g
Protein: 5g
Cooking Time:
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Equipment:
- Rectangular baking tray (approx. 20 x 30cm)
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Spatula
- Sieve
- Wire rack
Serving Suggestions:
This coconut and apricot jam tray bake is delicious served warm or cold, with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. It’s perfect for sharing at a party or a picnic, and it makes a great dessert or afternoon tea treat.
Variations:
If you’re not a fan of apricot jam, you can use any other flavor of jam you like – strawberry, blackcurrant, blueberry, or even raspberry. You can also add chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit to the mixture for extra texture and flavor.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have self-raising flour, you can use plain flour and add 2 tsp of baking powder. You can also use margarine instead of butter, and coconut sugar instead of caster sugar for a healthier option.
Storage:
This tray bake will keep well in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 1 month – just defrost