Mary Berry Paradise Slice Recipe

This colorful Paradise Slice is a nostalgic tea tray favorite as well as being incredibly sliceable! Baking the fruit inside the almond sponge keeps the cake go moist and chewy, which along with the crisp shortbread base adds a delightful texture to this bake that is so perfect for a picnic.

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Mary Berry Paradise Slice Recipe Ingredients

• The Shortbread Base:
  • 100g (4 oz) butter, softened
  • 50g (2 oz) caster sugar
  • 150g (5 oz) self-raising flour
• The Filling:
  • 2–3 tbsp raspberry jam
• The Sponge Topping:
  • 100g (4 oz) butter, softened
  • 100g (4 oz) caster sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 100g (4 oz) self-raising flour
  • 25g (1 oz) ground almonds
  • 175g (6 oz) mixed dried fruit (sultanas and glacé cherries, halved)

How To Make Mary Berry Paradise Slice Recipe

1. Prep the oven: Preheat the oven to 160°C (140°C fan/325°F/Gas 3). Grease a shallow 28 x 18 cm (11 x 7 inch) baking tin and line the base and sides with baking parchment.
2. Make the base: In a large bowl, measure the butter, sugar, and flour for the base. Rub the butter into the dry ingredients using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs and begins to bind together.
3. Press and layer: Press the crumbly base mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared tin using the back of a metal spoon to level it. Spread the raspberry jam evenly over the base.
4. Make the sponge: In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and ground almonds together (using an electric mixer or wooden spoon) until smooth and creamy.
5. Fold the fruit: Rinse the glacé cherries, pat them dry, and cut them into quarters. Add the cherries and sultanas (mixed dried fruit) to the sponge batter and fold them in gently.
6. Top and bake: Spoon the sponge mixture over the jam layer and spread it gently to the edges, being careful not to disturb the jam too much. Bake for 35–40 minutes until the top is golden brown and springs back when lightly pressed.
7. Cool: Allow the slice to cool completely in the tin. Once cold, lift it out using the paper and cut into 12 slices.

Recipe Tips!

• Cherry Prep: Always rinse your glacé cherries in warm water and pat them bone dry with kitchen paper before cutting. This removes the heavy syrup that causes them to sink to the bottom of the sponge.
• The Jam Barrier: Don’t be too aggressive when spreading the sponge over the jam. If you mix them up, the layers won’t look distinct when sliced. Drop spoonfuls of batter all over the jam first, then gently join them up.
• Almond Moisture: The ground almonds aren’t just for flavor; they add fat and moisture that keeps the sponge soft for days. Don’t skip them, or the cake layer might be a bit dry.
• Base Texture: The base is a “rubbed-in” mixture, not a creamed one. It should feel like damp sand before you press it in. Pressing it down firmly is key to stopping it from crumbling when you cut a slice.

What To Serve With Mary Berry Paradise Slice Recipe?

This Mary Berry Paradise Slice Recipe is a standalone treat that fits perfectly in a lunchbox! A steaming pot of English Breakfast Tea is the classic partner to wash down the sweet fruit cake. For a summer garden party, serve it with a glass of Iced Lemonade! If you want to turn it into a dessert, a drizzle of single cream over a warm slice creates a lovely hot-cold contrast.

How To Store Mary Berry Paradise Slice Recipe

• Room Temp: Store the slices in an airtight tin at room temperature. They keep wonderfully moist for up to 4 days thanks to the almonds and fruit.
• Refrigerate: There is no need to refrigerate this slice unless your kitchen is extremely hot.
• Freeze: This bakes freezes very well. Wrap the whole uncut block or individual slices in parchment and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

Mary Berry Paradise Slice Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 320 kcal
• Fat: 16g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Protein: 4g

Nutrition information is estimated per slice (based on 12 slices).

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Try More Recipes:

• Mary Berry Custard Slice Recipe
• Mary Berry Lamb Neck Fillet Recipe
• Hairy Bikers Apple And Blackberry Crumble Recipe