Black Bun Traybake is a rich and spicy fruit cake sandwiched between two layers of shortcrust pastry. It is a simple version of the traditional Scottish Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve) cake with all the same flavours. It is so simple to make and takes a third of the time to bake.
What is Black Bun?
Black Bun is also sometimes known as Scotch Bun. Today it is a dense rich fruit cake, a bit like Christmas cake, but covered in shortcrust pastry. Originally Black Bun was made with yeast dough, part of this dough was mixed with dried fruit and the rest was used to cover the cake.
This traditional cake is said to have come to Scotland when Mary Queen of Scots returned from France in 1561as a sort of King Cake served on Twelfth Night.
In 1560 the Scottish Reformation banned all Christmas and Twelfth Night celebrations other than religious services. The Scots simply moved their celebrations to the 31st December, and Black Bun is still served at Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve) gatherings.
Why make Black Bun Traybake?
Black Bun is a really easy cake to make, easier than Christmas cake. However, traditional Black Bun is baked in a cake tin or a loaf tin and takes 2-3 hours to bake. I make this traybake because I already have a large Christmas cake to serve over the holidays. It’s also great if you are short of time.
My Black Bun Traybake makes16 small squares and takes only 45 minutes to bake. It means I can continue the Scottish tradition and serve Black Bun at Hogmanay and I won’t still be eating it in February!
What ingredients do I need for Black Bun Traybake?
This is a very easy recipe to make, don’t be put off by the long list of ingredients. Gather all the ingredients together and set them out ready to begin. You will need:
- Flour
- Butter
- Vegetable shortening (Trex/Crisco)
- Baking powder
- Raisins
- Currants
- Mixed Peel
- Blanched almonds
- Light brown sugar
- Allspice
- Ginger
- Black pepper
- Cream of Tartar
- Brandy
- Egg
- Milk
Can I use ready-made shortcrust pastry?
You certainly can use a ready-made shortcrust pastry. Use a plain shortcrust pastry, not an all-butter pastry, and definitely not a sweetened pastry. The plain pastry for the Black bun is a contrast to the rich, sweet and spicy filling.
What are currants?
Currants are small, sweet dried grapes. They are not dried blackcurrants but a specific variety of raisins called Black Corinth. In the US they are known as Zante currants or Corinth raisins, outside the US they are generally known simply as currants. Currants are the oldest known raisins and their intensely sweet taste works really well in combination with other dried fruits like raisins and sultanas.
What is mixed peel?
Candied peel is the peel of citrus fruit, usually oranges and lemons. You cook the peel to soften it, then dip it in sugar syrup and leave it to dry. This process is repeated many times until the peel is saturated with sugar.
You can buy ready cut mixed peel or you can buy whole candied peel and chop it yourself, it does generally have a better flavour. If you do cut it yourself then make sure you cut the pieces very small.
What spices do I use in the Black Bun Traybake?
You need three different spices to make the Black Bun Traybake:
- Ginger
- Allspice
- Black Pepper
What kind of ginger should I use?
Use dried ground ginger powder. You only need a little but it adds to the spicy flavour of the cake. Make sure that your ginger powder is fresh as older powder loses flavour and may be disappointing.
What is Allspice?
Allspice is the dried unripe berry of Pimenta dioica, a tree native to the Greater Antilles, southern Mexico, and Central America. When the English first tasted allspice they thought it tasted like a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove and so named it Allspice.
Why should I put black pepper in Black Bun?
Black pepper is a key spice in Black Bun and adds a unique flavour as well as warmth and piquancy to the cake. Pepper is an ancient spice that was once very valuable and luxurious. As such, it is a fitting spice to include in the original celebration cake for the feast of Twelfth Night.
What can I substitute for Brandy?
If you don’t have Brandy then you can use Scotch Whisky, dark rum or bourbon. If you don’t drink alcohol then I suggest you use strong black tea.
How do I store Black Bun Traybake?
Store the Black Bun Traybake in an airtight container wrapped in foil for up to two weeks. You can store traditional Black Bun for a longer time because the filling is completely encased in pastry. However, I don’t recommend storing this traybake longer than two weeks outside the freezer.
Can I freeze Black Bun Traybake?
Freeze the Black Bun Traybake in squares or fingers. Wrap tightly in foil and then store in a freezer-proof container or freezer bag for up to 6 months. Take out as many pieces as you need and let them defrost at room temperature.
Is it suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this bake is suitable for vegetarians as it contains no meat products.
Can I make Black Bun gluten-free?
I have not tested this recipe using a gluten-free pastry or GF flour in the cake mix. The quantity of flour in the mix is minimal, make sure you check that the baking powder you use is also gluten-free.
Please note that this recipe may contain other allergens not referred to above and any variations suggested have not been tested unless otherwise stated.
How do I serve Black Bun Traybake?
I like to serve Black Bun Traybake on a large platter with Shortbread Biscuits (Cookies), Mini Mince Pies and slices of Christmas Cake. You can serve Black Bun in the traditional way, with a glass of Scotch Whisky, but it is also delicious with a cup of tea or coffee.
First-Footing
It’s traditional in Scotland to visit your neighbours just after midnight to wish them a Happy New Year. Every household wants to open the door to a tall, dark stranger who brings a bottle of whisky to toast the New Year, a piece of coal and some food Black Bun.
This is the ultimate in good luck, with the coal symbolising warmth in your home and the black bun indicating that you will have plenty of food. Black Bun makes an ideal hostess gift at New Year or any other time.
More Holiday bakes
Mini Treacle Tarts are a little bite-sized version of traditional British dessert, a pastry case filled with breadcrumbs and sweet golden treacle, ground almonds, cream, and egg. They are so sweet and delicious, ideal for afternoon tea and make the perfect alternative to Christmas mince pies.
Chocolate Orange Scottish Shortbread is a festive twist on the classic Scottish shortbread I’ve been making for a very long time. Flavoured with orange zest and dipped in chocolate it’s a decadent treat.
Heavenly Meringues are like sweet little clouds filled with lightly whipped cream. As you bite into the meringue the crisp shell gives way to the billowy soft cream and just melts in your mouth.
Air Fryer Shortbread Round – Petticoat Tails is a traditional Scottish bake that I have updated to make in your air fryer. This buttery, crumbly biscuit (cookie) is baked in a large round and then divided into individual triangular wedges. Once you’ve tasted homemade shortbread you’ll never want to buy it again.
PIN FOR LATER
Black Bun Traybake
Equipment
- 20 cm x 20 cm baking tin
- Large bowl
- baking parchment
- Aluminium Foil
- small bowl
- weighing scales
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
For the pastry
- 225 grams (1⅓ cups) plain (all purpose) flour
- 50 grams (3½ tablespoon) butter
- 60 grams (5 tablespoon) vegetable shortening Trex or Crisco
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) baking powder
- 2 tablespoon (2 tablespoon) cold water approximately
For the filling
- 300 grams (2 cups) raisins
- 150 grams (1 cups) currants
- 30 grams (2 tablespoon) mixed peel chopped
- 50 grams (¼ cups) almonds chopped
- 75 grams (⅓ cups) plain (all purpose) flour
- 60 grams (¼ cups) light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon (½ teaspoon) allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon (¼ teaspoon) ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon (¼ teaspoon) black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon (¼ teaspoon) baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (¼ teaspoon) cream of tartar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon (1½ teaspoon) brandy
- 1 medium (1 medium) egg
- 30 millilitres (2 tbsp) milk
Instructions
For the pastry
- 225 grams plain (all purpose) flour, 50 grams butter, 60 grams vegetable shortening, 1 teaspoon baking powderMake the shortcrust pastry by putting the fats, flour and baking powder in a food processor and processing until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- 2 tablespoon cold waterAdd cold water and pulse to bring the mixture together. Add a little more cold water if the pastry mixture still seems dry.
- Remove from the food processor. Knead only very lightly, then wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.
- Remove from the fridge and divide the dough in two pieces. Roll out the dough and cut out two 20cm squares.
For the filling
- Preheat the oven to 140C/160C fan (300F)
- 300 grams raisins, 150 grams currants, 30 grams mixed peel, 50 grams almonds, 75 grams plain (all purpose) flour, 60 grams light brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon allspice, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartarWeigh all the dry ingredients and place in a large bowl and mix the ingredients together to evenly combine.
- 1 1/2 teaspoon brandy, 1 medium egg, 30 millilitres milkAdd the brandy, most of the beaten egg (keep a little back for glazing), and enough milk to moisten the mixture. Stir well to combine the wet and dry ingredients. The mixture should be moist but not very wet and sloppy.
- Line the baking tin with baking parchment. l make a strip of baking parchment long enough that it sticks out both ends. This means that you can lift the black bun out of the tin easily.
- Put one of the squares of pastry in the base of the tin.
- Put the dried fruit mixture on top of the pastry and press down with the back of a spoon or a spatula.
- 1 medium eggPrick the second piece of pastry all over with a fork, then put it on top of the dried fruit mixture. Brush with the remaining beaten egg.
- Bake for 45 minutes. Check after 30 minutes and if the pastry is browning too much then cover the top loosely with foil.
- Check if the bake is ready by inserting a skewer which should come out clean. If the cake is baked. If the skewer is wet and sticky then return the black bun to the oven and check again after 10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 30 minutes in the tin. Then remove and cool on a wire rack.
- When completely cool cut into 16 squares.
Notes
Nutrition
I’m linking this recipe to #CookBlogShare this week hosted by Sew White.
Cat says
I hadn’t heard of black bun until recently but I really like the look of your traybake version. The flavours are right up my street!
Janice Pattie says
I’m glad to have introduced it to you, Cat. And thank you for your kind comment.
Corina Blum says
I hadn’t heard of this before but I love the sound of the rich fruit cake between the shortcrust pastry. Sadly my family don’t like recipes with lots of dried fruit but I know I’d love it!
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Corina. It’s a very Scottish bake and is available in bakers in Scotland at this time of year. I’m fortunate that my family love fruit cakes, they can’t get enough.
Helen says
Love this! I’ve read about Black Bun but always been put off making it precisely because of the long baking times and the quantities involved. This recipe neatly solves the problem and your little squares look absolutely scrumptious. Definitely making these for NYE!
Janice Pattie says
Yay! I’m exactly the same, Helen. I love the stuff but it just seems like a big thing to bake, now I can have it every year.
Lesley says
Oh I do love a black bun at this time of year and as always your instructions are really straightforward and easy to follow.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Lesley. It’s one of my favourite festive treats and this method makes it so much easier.
Choclette says
Whenever I see black bun I’m transported straight back to my teenage years and a very snowy hogmanay in Stirling. We went first footing with our lumps of coal and pretty much every house we stopped at offered us a slice of black bun. Great idea to make it as a traybake.
Janice Pattie says
Yessss! That’s exactly what it was like in my teen years too. There was often some sherry involved too, even though we were underage!
Sandhya says
Great recipe! I haven’t heard of the black bun cake until recently and they look more like rich fruit cake. I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Sandhya. I hope you enjoy it.
Devy says
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I didn’t know about Scotch Bun. It sounds interesting. I am now thinking to try making this black bun traybake for my niece who is coming to visit. She loves pies and fruit cake. I think your recipe will make her happy because it sounds like a combination of the two things she loves.
The thing is, we don’t consume alcohol. Do you think it’s gonna be ok if I just omit the alcohol bits? Thank you.
Janice Pattie says
Hi Devy
Thank you for your kind comments. If you want to make the Black Bun without alcohol, then I suggest you replace the alcohol with strong black tea. This gives the additional moisture and the strong tannins in the tea go really well with the dried fruit.
MANDY says
I am definitely going to make this one with my kids Janice – fruit cake AND pastry – YUM!
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Mandy. Enjoy!
Rebecca - Glutarama says
What a wonderful recipe, I love finding out about traditional recipes here in the UK and have never heard of a Scotch Bun going to have to give this a go with gluten free flour it sound too delicious not to give it a try.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Rebecca. I’m glad to introduce you to a ‘new to you’ recipe. Do let me know how you get on making it gluten-free
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says
Gotta love traybakes! They make everything so easy 😀
Janice Pattie says
Absolutely!
Chloe says
Such a genius idea to make a classic that little bit simpler!
Janice Pattie says
Thank you, I’m all for easier recipes.
Corrie says
I will try this recipe and it looks great!
But currants are not grapes.
Currants come from Ribes spp. – small shade tolerant bushes.
Raisins are grapes, which come from grape vines (Vites spp.).
Janice Pattie says
Thanks for your kind comments,Corrie. In the UK we call zante currants,simply currants. These are dried grapes. Where I use the ribes type of currant I would call them blackcurrants, red currants or white currants.
Susan emo says
I always bake using weight because you never know where the recipe has come from. These teaspoon measurements, are they UK or US? 3 tsp to a tbsp in Us but 4 in the uK.
Janice Pattie says
Hi Susan, I am based in the UK so the measurements will be UK.