Home / Recipes / Desserts / Mary Berry Tottenham Cake Recipe (Traditional British Traybake)

Mary Berry’s Tottenham Cake Recipe

by Mary Berry
  •  Icon
Calories: 254.85|Fat: 10.43|Carbohydrates: 38.17|Protein: 2.9 | 45 minutes
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Mary Berry’s Tottenham Cake: Light sponge + pink raspberry glaze (or coconut/100s). Bake the British classic with our easy recipe!
Mary Berry's Tottenham Cake with pink icing and coconut topping on a white plate

What is Mary Berry’s Tottenham Cake?

Picture this: a sunshine-bright pink traybake, fluffy as a cloud, topped with a snowfall of coconut—this is Mary Berry’s Tottenham Cake, the retro British treat that’s stolen hearts since the 1800s. More than just a sponge cake, it’s a slice of edible history with a quirky backstory…

Why the Pink Icing? (And That Funny Name!)

Born in Tottenham, London, this cake started as a Victorian charity fundraiser by a clever baker named Henry Chalkley. His genius twist? A raspberry-jam glaze (hence the iconic pink hue!) that made it stand out in crowded bakeries.

Fun fact: The original version was sliced into penny portions for hungry schoolkids!

Why You’ll Like It

  • Mary Berry’s trademark
    —no fuss, just a perfectly squidgy sponge and that nostalgic coconut crunch.
  • Nostalgia in Every Bite
    – That pink glaze + coconut crunch tastes like 1980s British school dinners (but fancier, thanks to Mary Berry’s touch).
  • Foolproof for Beginners
    – No fancy skills needed! Mary’s cold-butter trick guarantees a fluffy crumb (even if you’ve burned toast before).

Tips for Perfect Tottenham Cake

  1. Butter Matters

    • Use cold butter straight from the fridge (Mary’s secret for extra lift)

    • Cube it small for easier creaming

  2. Flour Hack

    • For featherlight texture: sieve flour + baking powder twice

  3. Pink Perfection

    • Natural option: 1 tbsp beetroot juice instead of food colouring

    • For shine: add ½ tsp glycerin to icing

  4. Bake Watch

    • Rotate the tin at 25 mins to prevent uneven browning

    • Test with a skewer – it should come out with moist crumbs (not wet)


Mary Berry’s Tottenham Cake: Ingredients

For the Sponge:

  • 8 oz (225g) cold butter, cubed
    Substitutes: Margarine (for dairy-free) or 7 oz (200g) Greek yoghurt (lighter option)
  • 8 oz (225g) caster sugar
    Substitutes: Granulated sugar (texture will be slightly denser)
  • 10 oz (280g) self-raising flour
    Substitutes: 10 oz (280g) all-purpose flour + 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder (skip if using self-raising flour substitute)
  • 4 large eggs (~50g each)
    Substitutes: 4 flax eggs (4 tbsp ground flaxseed + 12 tbsp water) for vegan>
  • 4 tbsp (60ml) milk
    Substitutes: Almond milk or pineapple juice (adds moisture)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Icing & Topping:

  • 10.5 oz (300g) icing sugar (powdered sugar)
  • 3 tbsp (45ml) boiling water
  • Pink food colouring (or 1 tbsp raspberry jam, sieved)
  • 2 tbsp (15g) hundreds & thousands OR desiccated coconut

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the Oven & Tin

  • Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) or 160°C (320°F) fan.
  • Grease and line a 12×9-inch (30x23cm) traybake tin with baking paper.

2. Make the Batter

  1. Dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sieve together flour + baking powder. Mix in caster sugar.
  2. Add wet ingredients: Toss in cubed cold buttereggsmilk, and vanilla extract.
  3. Beat: Use an electric mixer on medium until light and fluffy (~3 minutes). Don’t overmix!

3. Bake

  • Spread batter evenly into the tin.
  • Bake 30-35 minutes until golden and the centre springs back when pressed.
  • Cool completely in the tin.

4. Ice & Decorate

  1. Icing: Mix icing sugar + boiling water until smooth. Add pink colouring (or raspberry jam).
  2. Spread: Pour over the cooled cake, tilting the tin to coat evenly.
  3. Top: Immediately sprinkle with hundreds & thousands or  shredded coconut.
  4. Cut: Slice into 20 squares once set (about 15 minutes).

Variations

  • Confetti Cake: Smother white icing with 100s & 1000s for a playful party vibe.
  • Old-School Version: Top with desiccated coconut instead for nostalgic dinner lady charm.
  • Lemon Zest: Add 1 tbsp lemon zest to batter for a citrusy kick.
  • Gluten-Free: Use 10 oz (280g) gluten-free flour blend + 1 tsp xanthan gum.

Saving Tottenham Cake For Later

  • Room Temp: 3 days in an airtight container (layer with parchment between slices)
  • Fridge: 5 days (but icing may sweat – cover loosely)
  • Freezer: Un-iced sponge wraps well for 1 month

🚫 Avoid: Plastic wrap directly on icing (use cake dome or greaseproof paper)


How To Serve Tottenham Cake

The best way to enjoy this cake is just like we did as kids:

  • Cut into generous squares—have one, two, or more!

  • Sandwich two slices with raspberry jam for a nostalgic twist.

  • Pair with an ice-cold strawberry milkshake—the perfect pink partner!

Or do as students have done for generations: dunk it straight into warm milk! The pink icing creates pretty swirls in your drink.

Serving it to adults?
Serve warm with custard for a comforting pudding, and don’t forget a cup of tea. A quick 10-second blast in the microwave makes it taste freshly baked.


Health Info

NUTRITION SPOTLIGHT

While Tottenham Cake is a beloved treat, we believe in enjoying sweets mindfully:

Occasional Indulgence - At ~255 calories per slice, it's perfect for special occasions or weekend baking with kids. 

For Younger Bakers - The small portion size (20 pieces) helps with moderation. Consider using:

  • Natural pink color (beetroot/raspberry) instead of food dye

  • Reduced-sugar jam between layers

Dietary Adaptations:

  • Dairy-free: Use plant butter & milk (works beautifully)

  • Egg-free: Flax eggs bind well in this sponge

  • Lower-sugar: Reduce icing by 1/3 (still delicious!)

Allergy Alert: Contains gluten, dairy, eggs. For nut-free, ensure coconut is processed in a dedicated facility.

Note "This nostalgic bake is about joy first - we've included adaptations so everyone can enjoy a taste of childhood!"

Nutritional Facts

Calories: 254.85
Sugar: 27
Sodium: 210.63
Fat: 10.43
Carbohydrates: 38.17
Fiber: 0.38
Protein: 2.9
Mary Berry's Tottenham Cake with pink icing and coconut topping on a white plate

Mary Berry Tottenham Cake Recipe

  •  Icon
Author Caroline Sciberras
Servings 20 pieces
Calories 254.85
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Fat: 10.43|Carbohydrates: 38.17|Protein: 2.9

Description

Mary Berry’s Tottenham Cake: Light sponge + pink raspberry glaze (or coconut/100s). Bake the British classic with our easy recipe!

Ingredients

  • 225 g (8oz) butter cold from fridge
  • 225 g (8oz) caster sugar
  • 280 g (10oz) self raising flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 4 large eggs
  • 4 tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

To finish

  • 300 g (10½oz) icing sugar
  • 3 tbsp boiling water
  • 2 tbsp hundreds and thousands or shredded coconut
  • pink coloring

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C or 160°C with fan.
  • Grease a trayback of roughly 12 x 9 inches and line with baking paper
  • Mix the dried ingredients. Sieve the flour and baking powder, then mix with the caster sugar.
  • Add the wet ingredients: the butter cut into pieces, eggs, milk and vanilla extract
  • Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the cake springs back when pressed in the centre.
  • Allow to cool in the traybake tin.

To finish

  • Mix the icing sugar with the water adding pink coloring for the actual Tottenham cake finish
  • Spread the smooth paste over the cake.
  • Sprinkle with 100s and 1000s or coconut
  • Cut into 20 pieces and serve.

Tottenham Cake FAQs

Is Mary Berry’s Tottenham cake the same as school cake?

Mary Berry’s Tottenham Cake, often mistaken for a Tottenham Cake, is actually titled Confetti Traybake in her book.

The traditional Tottenham Cake is a soft vanilla sponge topped with a layer of pink water icing, traditionally coloured with berry juice, and sometimes finished with a sprinkle of desiccated coconut.

While all three are based on a simple sponge, they differ mainly in the topping:
Tottenham Cake: Topped with pink icing (originally made with mulberry or berry juice) and sometimes desiccated coconut.
Old-School Cake: Finished with white icing and a generous layer of desiccated coconut—nostalgic and simple.
Confetti Cake: Uses the same white icing, but is scattered with colourful 100s and 1000s for a fun, party-style twist.
confetti traybake mary berry

Can I freeze it?

Yes—freeze un-iced for up to 1 month.

Why is the icing pink?

Originally from raspberries, but Mary Berry approves food coloring for ease (targets “why is Tottenham cake pink”).

I

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Scroll to Top