These are fruity, moist and chewy and maybe a bit … er ….crumbly. Well worth any mess, but a plate would be a good idea (especially if it’s big enough for two pieces).

Makes: 16 squares or 12 larger slices

Level: Fairly easy

Time: 30 – 35 min prep (less if using a food processor). About 60 min to bake + cooling time.

Need: A 20cm/8” square baking tin (NB The tin shown below – the one I used – was an odd size, actually a few cm larger than standard 20cm. It was a present, so I thought I’d better use it! I don’t think it will make much difference. Your baked squares might be slightly deeper than mine, that’s all)

Ingredients

250g/9oz self-raising flour
50g/2oz ground almonds
275g/9½oz caster sugar
200g/7oz butter/Stork etc.
50g/2oz desiccated coconut
2 medium eggs, beaten lightly
½ tsp almond extract
325g/11oz – 350g/12oz berries (fresh or frozen)
25g/1oz flaked almonds

Method

1. Heat the oven to 180°C / fan 160°C / 350°F / Gas 4. Butter the tin and line with baking parchment.

2. Mix together the flour, ground almonds and sugar then rub in the butter until it looks like bread crumbs. (Or pulse it all in a food processor.)

3. Set aside about 85g/3oz and mix the coconut in with it.

4. Add the beaten eggs and almond extract to the main mixture and either whizz in the food processor or beat well with a wooden spoon. Take care not to over mix; it doesn’t need to be ultra smooth.

5. Spread the main mixture in the tin and scatter with about two-thirds of the berries*. Sprinkle over the reserved coconut mixture and bake for 40 – 45 minutes. Check towards the end in case the coconut is getting too dark. If so, cover with foil.

* The remaining berries will go on top shortly, but if you prefer a plainer coconut top, just put all the berries in at this stage.

6. After 40 – 45 minutes, dot the remaining berries on the top surface and push in lightly. Return to the oven for another 15 minutes, again keeping an eye on it to avoid burning the top.

7. Cool in the tin then cut into pieces.

I hope you make and enjoy this tray bake. Click this link for more tasty traybake recipes. Here are some of my personal favourites that I think you’ll love too:

Coffee and Cream Brownies