Maid of Honour Squares

Delight your taste buds with these classic Maid of Honour Squares, a quintessential British bake that combines buttery pastry, sweet raspberry jam, and a light almond sponge topping. This timeless recipe is perfect for a cozy tea-time treat or an indulgent dessert. With just 30 minutes of prep time, you'll create a delicious traybake that highlights the irresistible combination of textures and flavors: a crisp pastry base, a fruity jam layer, and a soft yet nutty almond sponge. Ideal for sharing, these squares are a nostalgic nod to traditional baking and pair beautifully with a cup of tea. Whether you're hosting a gathering or simply craving an elegant homemade treat, these easy-to-make squares are guaranteed to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 48/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 200 g All-purpose flour
• 100 g Unsalted butter
• 50 g Granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp Cold water
• 4 tbsp Raspberry jam
• 50 g Ground almonds
• 50 g Self-raising flour
• 50 g Unsalted butter (softened)
• 50 g Caster sugar
• 1 large Egg
• 1 tbsp Milk (optional, if needed)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) and lightly grease an 8x8-inch square baking tin or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a mixing bowl, rub the 100g of cold unsalted butter into the 200g of all-purpose flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Step 3

Add 50g of granulated sugar and mix well. Slowly stir in 2 tbsp of cold water, one tablespoon at a time, to form a slightly firm dough.

Step 4

Roll out the pastry dough on a floured surface into a thin sheet and press it into the prepared baking tin, ensuring it evenly covers the base.

Step 5

Spread 4 tbsp of raspberry jam evenly over the pastry layer, leaving a small border around the edges.

Step 6

In another mixing bowl, cream together 50g softened unsalted butter and 50g caster sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 7

Beat in the large egg, followed by the 50g ground almonds and 50g self-raising flour. Mix until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add 1 tbsp of milk to loosen it slightly.

Step 8

Spoon the almond sponge mixture gently over the jam layer, spreading it out evenly to cover the jam without mixing the layers.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, or until the sponge layer is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 10

Allow the tray to cool completely in the tin before slicing into 12 squares. Enjoy as a lovely tea-time treat.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	730.8 grams (730.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2972

Total Fat 161.60g	207%
Saturated Fat 80.20g	401%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.00g
Cholesterol 551mg	184%
Sodium 550mg	24%
Total Carbohydrate 346.90g	126%
Dietary Fiber 13.00g	46%
Total Sugars 143.70g
Protein 44.40g	89%

Vitamin D 86IU	431%
Calcium 245mg	19%
Iron 13mg	71%
Potassium 747mg	16%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.2%

Protein: 5.9%

Carbs: 46.0%