Mary Berry’s Dorset Apple Traybake is a delightful and heartwarming dessert that captures the essence of traditional British baking. This easy-to-make treat is perfect for any occasion and is especially beloved during the apple season when the Bramley apples are at their best. With its warm, comforting flavors and simple preparation, this recipe is bound to become a family favorite.
What You’ll Need for Mary Berry Dorset Apple Traybake
Before diving into the baking, it’s essential to have everything ready. Gather the following ingredients for a successful Dorset Apple Traybake:
- 225g butter, softened (about 1 cup or 2 sticks)
- Extra butter for greasing
- 550g Bramley cooking apples (about 4-5 medium apples)
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 225g light muscovado sugar (about 1 cup)
- 300g self-raising flour (about 2 ½ cups)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tbsp milk
- Icing sugar, for dusting
Step-by-Step Mary Berry Dorset Apple Traybake Recipe
Ready to create this delicious dessert? Follow these simple steps to bring your Dorset Apple Traybake to life:
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Prepare the oven and tin: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan). Grease and line a 30cm x 23cm traybake tin with baking paper.
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Prep the apples: Peel, core, and thinly slice the Bramley apples. Toss them in lemon juice to prevent browning and add a hint of freshness.
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Make the batter: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, light muscovado sugar, self-raising flour, baking powder, half the ground cinnamon, eggs, and milk with an electric mixer for about 2 minutes until everything is smooth and well combined.
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Assemble the layers: Spread half of the batter into the prepared tin. Layer half of the sliced apples on top and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon. Spoon the rest of the batter over the top and level it out carefully. Finally, arrange the remaining apple slices on the very top.
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Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Cool and serve: Once baked, let it cool in the tin for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Just before serving, dust the top lightly with icing sugar for a beautiful finish.
How to Serve Mary Berry Dorset Apple Traybake
This scrumptious traybake is best enjoyed fresh. Serve it warm or at room temperature, sliced into generous squares. It pairs wonderfully with a dollop of clotted cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a splash of custard for an extra indulgent treat. Accompany with a cup of tea or coffee to enhance the cozy experience.
Expert Tips for Mary Berry Dorset Apple Traybake
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Apple Selection: While Bramley apples are excellent for this recipe due to their tartness, you can also try using other cooking apples like Granny Smith or Cox apples if you prefer a slightly sweeter taste.
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Layering Options: For a fun twist, add some chopped nuts or raisins to the batter for a bit of crunch and additional flavor.
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Storage: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to a month. Just remember to thaw it completely before serving.
Mary Berry Dorset Apple Traybake FAQs
1. Can I use other types of apples?
Yes, while Bramley apples are recommended for their tartness, you can substitute with other varieties like Granny Smith for a similar result.
2. What if I don’t have self-raising flour?
You can make your own by mixing plain flour with baking powder. For every 100g of plain flour, add 1 tsp of baking powder.
3. Can this traybake be made ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake it a day in advance and store it covered at room temperature. Just dust with icing sugar just before serving.
Enjoy baking this Mary Berry Dorset Apple Traybake! It’s a delightful, easy-to-make recipe that brings a taste of nostalgia and comfort to your kitchen. Happy baking!

Dorset Apple Traybake
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan). Grease and line a 30cm x 23cm traybake tin with baking paper.
- Peel, core, and thinly slice the Bramley apples. Toss them in lemon juice to prevent browning.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, light muscovado sugar, self-raising flour, baking powder, half the ground cinnamon, eggs, and milk with an electric mixer for about 2 minutes until smooth.
- Spread half of the batter into the prepared tin. Layer half of the sliced apples on top and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon.
- Spoon the rest of the batter over the top and level it out carefully. Arrange the remaining apple slices on the very top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, let it cool in the tin for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Just before serving, dust the top lightly with icing sugar.