Marmalade cake

Try the classic flavour combination of chocolate and orange in this tasty traybake. With a soft sponge, tangy marmalade and silky chocolate topping, it's a fun and simple bake that's perfect for a sweet treat or delicious dessert.

15 minutes prep. time
20–25 minutes cooking time
Serves 9
Cakes, bakes & desserts, Family-friendly

Slice of marmalade traybake on a plate with a knife next to it — Tuck into this delicious traybake | © National Trust Images/William Shaw

200g self-raising flour
175g caster sugar
175g salted butter or margarine
3 medium eggs

For the top

250g orange marmalade
200g 70 per cent dark chocolate, broken into pieces (or milk chocolate, if you prefer)

Top tip

If you don't have a hand whisk or stand mixer, you can beat the ingredients by hand in a mixing bowl.

Step 1

Preheat oven to 170°C (150°C fan/gas mark 5).

Step 2

Place the flour, sugar, margarine and eggs into a bowl and whisk together until light and fluffy.

Step 3

Tip the sponge mixture into a 20cm baking tray lined with parchment paper. Smooth out the surface with a spatula, then place into the preheated oven.

Step 4

Bake for 20–25 minutes until risen and firm to the touch when pressed. Test it with a skewer – it should come out clean when inserted into the middle of the cake.

Step 5

Remove from the oven and leave to cool.

Step 6

Tip the marmalade into a bowl and whisk briefly with a fork to break it down and make it smooth, then pour over the top of the sponge. Place in the fridge to chill and set.

Step 7

Melt the chocolate by placing it in a bowl over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

Remove the cake from the fridge and pour the melted chocolate over it, tipping the tray backwards and forwards to ensure the marmalade is evenly covered with the chocolate.