The first question facing any new traybake society is an apparently simple one:

What is a traybake?

At its narrowest, the term describes something baked in a shallow rectangular tin and subsequently cut into individual portions. This comfortably includes brownies, caramel squares, shortbread, flapjacks and many forms of sponge cake.

It does not, however, account for Fifteens, rocky road, refrigerator squares or several other firmly established members of the parish-table tradition. Some are not baked. Some are formed into rolls. Some have never occupied a tray except while being carried into the hall.

A definition based entirely upon equipment would therefore exclude too much.

A Provisional Definition

For the present, the Irish Ecclesiastical Traybake Society defines a traybake as:

A sweet or savoury preparation made as a larger whole, divided into individual portions and customarily served from a shared plate, tray or tin.

A traybake may be baked, chilled, assembled or pressed. It may be square, rectangular, triangular or cut according to the immediate numerical requirements of the congregation.

It should ordinarily be capable of being:

• prepared in advance;
• transported without specialised equipment;
• divided into multiple portions;
• eaten without formal cutlery;
• served alongside tea or coffee;
• multiplied, at least in principle, for a parish gathering.

Recognised Categories

The Society presently recognises four broad categories:

Baked Traybakes

Including brownies, blondies, flapjacks, shortbread, sponge slices and similar preparations baked in a single tin.

Layered Traybakes

Including caramel squares, millionaire’s shortbread and other provisions requiring a base, one or more fillings and confidence when cutting.

Refrigerator Traybakes

Including Fifteens, rocky road, coconut slices and other preparations set by chilling rather than baking.

Customary Traybakes

Items that may not meet every technical requirement but whose place on the parish table is beyond reasonable dispute.

Matters Not Yet Resolved

The scone’s status remains uncertain.

Individual buns, biscuits and slices of loaf cake do not normally constitute traybakes, although they may be granted temporary standing when arranged upon the same plate.

The Society has also received informal representations concerning Rice Krispie squares. These appear likely to qualify, subject to testing and removing enough mixture from the saucepan.

This definition remains provisional. Members and interested parties are invited to submit evidence, recipes and strongly held local opinions.

A final determination will be made once agreement is reached or everyone has finished the tea.