Best Mary Berry Malteser Tray Bake Recipe to Try Now

Best Mary Berry Malteser Tray Bake Recipe to Try Now

There is something excruciatingly nostalgic about the humble no-bake tray bake. This one is especially fun as there’s something about Mary Berry being the queen of old-school British baking. And then there are Maltesers! When you combine a rich chocolate base with a crunchy biscuit base and top it all off with Maltesers, we cannot say no. Mary Berry’s Malteser tray bake is indulgent yet surprisingly simple to make. Whatever the reason, be it a cute treat to bring to a birthday party or picnic, bake sale or simply because, you will find this tray bake a good recipe to have on your side! It is ridiculously easy and looks impressive!

In this blog, we will look into the appeal of Mary Berry’s version, describe the ingredients used, provide clear instructions on how to make it, and give you tips, variations and storage instructions! If you’re after another classic bake that’s equally effortless, try Mary Berry Swiss roll. Get ready to bring something British and chocolatey to your next get-together.

What is a Malteser Tray Bake?

Malteser Tray Bake – This is a very easy no-bake dessert recipe and basically consists of just mixing up crushed biscuits, melted chocolate, melted butter and golden syrup, then folding in Maltesers and spooning it into a tray. When the dessert sets, it’s easy to cut into squares. This recipe gives a fudge-like texture and, for me, the satisfying crunch of Maltesers.

Ingredients for Mary Berry's Malteser Tray Bake Recipe

Here is what you’ll need:

  • 100g butter
  • 200g milk chocolate (good quality is the best)
  • 2 tablespoons golden syrup
  • 225g digestive biscuits, crushed
  • 150g Maltesers (plus a few extra for the topping)

Optional topping:

  • 150g milk or dark chocolate (this can either be for drizzling or as a layer on top)
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for shine)

Each item is needed for specific reasons – biscuits add structure, golden syrup binds, chocolate brings richness, and Maltesers add texture and flavor contrast.

Ingredients for Mary Berry's Malteser Tray Bake

Equipment Required for Mary Berry Malteser Tray Bake Recipe

  • Medium saucepan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon/spatula
  • 20cm x 20cm square baking tin or similar
  • Baking parchment
  • A sharp knife for cutting

Step by Step Instructions for Mary Berry Malteser Tray Bake Recipe

1. Prepare Your Tin

Line your square baking tin with parchment. This way, you can lift the traybake out of the tin at the end, and your edges will be clean.

2. Crush the Biscuits

Put the digestive biscuits into a sealable bag and use a rolling pin to crush them until they give a mixture of crushed crumbs combined with some larger chunks.

3. Melt the Base Ingredients

Next step is in a saucepan, melt the butter, chocolate, and golden syrup, and over a low heat, gently mix until everything is smooth. Careful not to burn or scald the chocolate by cooking it, as it will spoil the dessert!

4. Combine with the Dry Ingredients

Remove from the heat and pour the chocolate mixture into a large mixing bowl with your crushed biscuits, gently fold until everything is thickly coated.

5. Fold in Maltesers

Finally, fourteen gently fold in the Maltesers, careful not to break or crush them, as the whole point of Maltesers is a crunch! Their virtue is key to the light and airy final bite.

Step by Step Instructions for Mary Berry Malteser Tray Bake

6. Pack into a Tin

You want to spoon the mix into the prepared tin, making sure the back of a spoon or a spatula presses it down into all corners evenly, firmly and consistently.

7. Optional Chocolate Top

Melt the remaining chocolate with a little vegetable oil and pour over the top. Smooth with a spatula and scatter a few extra Maltesers on top for decoration.

8. Cool Until Set

Keep in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours or until firm. When it is firm, lift it out of the tin and cut it into 16 squares.

Helpful Hints for Perfect Results

  • Work with room-temperature Maltesers to prevent them from melting when you add them to the warm chocolate base.
  • As all biscuits are crushed into a uniform crumb, there is no variation when it comes to bite and texture. Hence, biscuit sizes are crushed into varying sizes.
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge to maintain freshness and crispiness.

Variations to Try for Mary Berry Malteser Tray Bake Recipe

Mary Berry’s recipes are so easy to adapt, and here are a few ideas to put a fun twist on things:

1. White Chocolate Version

To make it a sweeter, creamier treat, use white chocolate instead of milk chocolate and shortbread cookies instead of digestive biscuits.

2. Swirl of Peanut Butter

To give the foundation mixture a nutty taste, stir in two teaspoons of smooth peanut butter. To swirl the topping, you could also add extra peanut butter.

3. Salted Caramel Malteser Tray Bake

Drizzle a little salted caramel sauce over the top layer before warehousing in the fridge and sprinkle with some sea salt flakes.

4. Festive Twist

Add crushed candy canes at Christmas or colorful mini eggs at Easter to have a fun seasonal treat.

5. Boozy Bake

Add a tablespoon of Baileys Irish Cream or Kahlua to the melted base for an adult version—perfect for a dinner party.

For another classic dessert packed with citrus zing, this lemon meringue pie recipe by Mary Berry makes a refreshing alternative to chocolate.

Variations to Try

Suitable Occasions

This tray bake is flexible – it works for almost any occasion:

  • Birthdays: Try serving something different instead of cupcakes. 
  • Picnics or packed lunches: Cut into small squares, and wrap individually.
  • Afternoon Teas: This will look fabulous on a cake stand with scones and sandwiches. 
  • Holidays: Garnish Valentine’s, easter, or Christmas-themed decorations. 
  • Bake Sales: Easy to transport, slice, and serve at fundraisers.

Or, if you’re packing for a school treat or bake sale, why not also make a batch of Mary Berry’s chocolate chip muffins? They’re fast, fuss-free, and always a crowd pleaser.

Storage and Freezing

  • Fridge: Can last for 5–7 days in an airtight container.
  • Freezer: Wrap pieces as individuals before freezing. It can last for about 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Final Thoughts

This Malteser Slice recipe is an old favourite here, and in all honesty, it doesn’t get much easier than a no-bake slice such as this one! It has crunch, chewiness, sugar, and chocolate-y decadence. For beginners, the methods are so simple that they can be learned quickly, and the basic concept is so adaptable to all types of adventures and personal expressions of your own. Use either the classic recipe or try your variations; whatever route you take, it’ll still be one-worthy dessert for seconds.

FAQs

Can I substitute dark chocolate with milk chocolate?

Yes, it makes the flavor a bit richer and less sweet, but it is completely fine.

Can I bake it?

No, this is a no-bake dessert and doesn’t require any baking.

Can this be a gluten-free dessert?

Yes, you can, thanks to some gluten-free biscuits.

Can kids help make this?

For sure! This is a really approachable recipe for kids to get their hands dirty and help with.

Why do I use oil for the topping?

The oil helps to make the chocolate less thick and more glossy once set.