Milky Way tray bake is rich, chocolatey and crunchy. It’s a no-bake fridge cake with chunks of Milky Way bars, Milky Way Magic Stars and pieces of Digestive biscuits throughout. It’s super easy to make and perfect for beginners.
If you're looking for a quick and easy dessert to make for your next birthday party or bake sale, this is it! Inspired by my Milky Way fudge, this Milky Way tray bake is made with simple ingredients and it takes just 15 minutes of prep time!
It's thick, chocolatey and crunchy, packed with Digestive biscuit pieces and Milky Way bar chunks. It's one of those lazy bakes that you'll want to make over and over again.
If you'd like to skip straight to the condensed version of the recipe, simply scroll to the end of the post to the recipe card. Otherwise, keep on reading for notes, tips and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make a Milky Way tray bake:
- Milk chocolate: It's best to use milk or semi-sweet chocolate in the base as using very dark or white chocolate may cause the mixture to split or seize. I have tested this recipe with semi-sweet and milk chocolate and can confirm they will both work.
- Golden syrup: Golden syrup helps to make the chocolate in the traybake base a little softer, preventing it from cracking or falling apart when you cut into it. It also adds some extra sweetness.
- Butter: Much like golden syrup, adding butter helps to improve texture and flavour.
- Cocoa powder: Adding cocoa powder helps to give a stronger chocolate flavour. I recommend using unsweetened cocoa powder for best results.
- Milky Way bars: The star of the show, the humble Milky Way bar! I used UK Milky Ways for my traybake, not the US ones with caramel in them. Either would work though so feel free to use whichever kind you have.
- Digestive biscuits: These biscuits give the traybake a nice crunch, which goes perfectly with the soft nougat in the Milky Way bars.
- Milky Way Magic Stars: These are optional but I think Magic Stars look lovely on this tray bake when combined with the Milky Way bar pieces. I highly recommend not skipping them!
Equipment
- Mixing bowl and wooden spoon: Use a large mixing bowl to ensure all of the ingredients will fit in there. A wooden spoon or rubber spatula is perfect for mixing everything together.
- Rolling pin: To crush the biscuits into pieces, unless you prefer to use your hands then by all means do so!
- Saucepan: To melt the base ingredients together.
- Baking tin: An 8x8-inch tin is just the right size for this traybake. If it's any larger, the slices will be too small and a smaller tin will produce slices that are a little too thick.
- Baking or parchment paper: This will help to prevent the traybake from sticking to the tin once set. I recommend leaving a little bit hanging over the edges for easier removal later on.
How to make Milky Way tray bake
Step 1: Line an 8x10-inch tin with baking paper (or 8x8 for thicker slices) and set it aside for now.
Step 2: Crush 200g of Digestive biscuits in a large bowl. You can use your hands to do this or use the end of a large rolling pin. The biscuits should not be finely crushed into crumbs but there shouldn't be any extra large pieces either. I usually go for pieces that are around 1 inch to ½ an inch.
Step 3: Chop 200g of Milky Way bars into small chunks and briefly mix them in with the Digestive biscuit pieces.
Step 4: Break 150g of milk chocolate and add it to a saucepan along with 100g butter, 3 tablespoons of golden syrup and 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder. Place it over low heat on the stove and stir gently until everything has melted.
Step 5: Pour the melted chocolate mixture into the bowl with the biscuits and Milky Way pieces. Mix well until all of the biscuit pieces are coated in chocolate then press into your lined tin.
Step 6: Melt 200g of milk chocolate over a low heat on the stove, or in 15-20 second bursts in the microwave to prevent burning. Spread it evenly over the biscuit base.
Step 7: While the chocolate is still wet, add 70g of chopped Milky Way bars and 55g of Milky Way Magic Stars on top. I like to use a mixture of both but you can skip the Magic Stars if you don't have any to hand.
Step 8: Refrigerate the whole thing for 2 hours, or until the topping is firm to the touch. Use the baking paper to remove it from the tin, cut it into slices and enjoy!
Top tips
- Melt the mixture for the base on very low heat to prevent seizing or burning.
- Crush the Digestive biscuits in pieces that are around 1 inch to ½ an inch wide for the perfect traybake consistency.
- The milk chocolate topping can be swapped out for white chocolate, dark chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate or even a mixture!
FAQ
This easy dessert will last for up to 2 weeks if stored correctly. Keep the slices in an airtight container either in the fridge or in a cool, dry place such as the kitchen cupboard. You can also wrap it up tightly in tinfoil or clingfilm if storing it in the fridge.
Yes, this can be frozen easily. Just put the tray bake slices into an airtight container or ziplock bag, using pieces of baking paper in between to prevent them from sticking together. Freeze for up to 2 months and once frozen, do not refreeze.
Milky Way Magic Stars are star-shaped chocolates with cute little faces on them. They make a great addition to this tray bake and you can use as many or as little as you'd like.
More tray bake recipes
I hope you like this Milky Way tray bake recipe. If you make it at home, please leave a review down below to share your experience. Enjoy!
Milky Way Tray Bake
Ingredients
- 200 g Digestive biscuits (7oz)
- 200 g Milky Way bars, chopped into chunks (7oz)
- 150 g Milk chocolate (5.5oz)
- 100 g Butter (around 1 tablespoon less than 1 stick)
- 3 Tablespoons Golden syrup
- 2 Tablespoons Cocoa powder
Topping:
- 200 g Milk chocolate (7oz)
- 70 g Milky Way bars, chopped into small chunks (2.5oz)
- 55 g Milky Way Magic Stars (2oz)
Instructions
- Line an 8x10-inch tin (or 8x8 for thicker slices) with baking paper.
- In a large bowl, crush the Digestive biscuits into medium-sized chunks. Stir in the chopped Milky Way pieces.
- Break the milk chocolate into pieces and add it to a pan along with the butter, golden syrup and cocoa powder. Melt gently over low heat.
- Pour the melted mixture into the bowl with the crushed Digestives and Milky Way pieces. Mix until the biscuits are well coated then press it into your lined tin.
- Melt the milk chocolate and spread it evenly over the top of the traybake. Top with chopped Milky Way pieces and Magic Stars.
- Refrigerate the whole thing for 2 hours until firm. Then just cut into slices and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Chris Jackson
I work in a kitchen in a care home in the UK and decided to try this as a nove wee treat for the residents. I had to double the ingredients as to make sure I had enough to go around. And it did not disappoint. Absolutely brilliant recipe and very easy to make. 5 stars.
Chloe
I love this, thanks Chris!