Which is the tastiest Protestant traybake?

[FiddleFaddleDingDong]

NI Protestants are famed for their tray bakes but which is the best traybake of all?

I’m thinking something crunchy and chocolatey, a tiffin like thing. But are there unchocolatey traybakes that I just haven’t been exposed to? Are they keeping all the best recipes to themselves, strictly to be eaten behind closed doors?

And does it get a bit competitive? Does Annie cast aspersions on Doris’ traybaking abilities?

Here's my go to ones

The Bay Tree in Holywood
Donaghadee garden center
Harrison's Garden centre in Greyabbey
Knott's in Newtowards
Folklore Yarns in East Belfast
Indie Fude / Castle Espie in Comber
Hillmount Garden centre Gilnahirk
Secret Garden get centre Dundonald
Any independent bakery
Anywhere with a large group of cyclists at it

”OMG Now you got me”

Of course we have, @EdtheBear - resistance is futile!

I'm sorry to offend but fifteens look absolutely disgusting. 🤢

I hate fifteens. They're claggy and a waste of ingredients.

This is my favourite mn thread of all time. Why isn't it in classics yet? And is it wrong that I am now seriously thinking we should go on holiday to NI instead of France this summer, just for the tray bakes?

There is an artisan micro-baker selling Fifteens as part of his bake this week. Riddle-me-Rye in Edinburgh, I'd have not know what they were except for this thread.

Theres a new coffee/knick knack shop opened in Ards, when I'm up and about I'll take one for the team and try their scones

@snowone I thought the exact same thing the first time I saw them. My great aunt opened a tin and I was horrified but too polite not to eat one. Delicious if made properly

Wtf is an "artisan micro-baker"?!? Is this code for "person with small bakery"??

I think I run a micro bakery when I plug my breadmaking machine in.

Oh I love the idea of the NI Traybake Trail! I went to NI recently for university open day and the library in QUB had amazing tray bakes, one with caramel and crunchy nut cornflakes

Ha, ha, it's a bloke baking from his flat in Edinburgh. I think the artisan bit comes from the rest of the breads being sourdough, etc. :-)

For anyone making the journey from Belfast to the North Coast, there are excellent traybakes to be found at The Creamery Can between Ballymena and Ballymoney. It's just off the main road and there is a big sign to alert you. And it has a dog outside who likes to chase your car as you park, so that adds a bit of excitement as you think 'have I just run him over?Where is he now?'

So brave of you Coco 😁 hope you recover quickly.

Maybe the Traybake Tour could be a coach trip. Leaving kids at home.

I’ve read some of this thread and watched two episodes of “Derry Girls” (thank you, it’s fabulous and I love the nun character, she is me), I’ve even made Nigella’s Malteser tray bake (had to give most of it away to the neighbours as it was huge and we are as fat as fuck) but I still don’t get the joke. Is it because I was brought up as Catholic?

I'm glad I'm not the only one considering doing a road trip of NI to sample the traybakes and scones from the numerous cafes and garden centre mentioned in this thread. I've even been looking up flights and car hire prices...!

Add Jackson’s butchers and bakers in Ballynure to your road trip agenda. It’s just up the road from Larne if you are coming in on the ferry.

CHURCH TRAYBAKE KLAXON

Team, I am in a church hall eating the traybakes. And as a bonus, we have a very special church sandwich - chicken and grape between brown and white bread. Do I win Mumsnet?

For a North coast tour of coffee shops. (the north coast is the best part of NI!):

• Start in Crusoes at Castlerock (good wheaten bread and soup as well as traybakes).

• Next, go to Coleraine, to Lost and Found coffee shop for amazing artisan coffee (can recommend a good peanut-based traybake which is also gluten free)

• Travel on to Portstewart, where there is a choice of cafés along the prom - you can try Morellis (famous for ice cream), Bob and Berts or Roughans (a lovely sea view as it's upstairs). All do traybakes.

• then make your way leisurely along the coast road to Portrush. Here, Grounds is nice, or the Arcadia if you want to be right by the sea. As mentioned above, the Ramore wine bar is famous for its desserts.

Next on to Bushmills. Here there is either another Grounds (a local chain) or the Cooper Kettle (lovely traditional cafe that does a delicious mini fry).

On the road out to Ballycastle - you can stop off at the Bothy which is a very popular spot indeed. It's very near the Giants Causeway, a good place to walk off some calories.

Finally, end your North coast road trip in Ballycastle. Avoid the Costa on the prom and instead head into the town - Ursa Minor does artisan coffee.

Lastly, the heart unit at the Royal Victoria hospital in Belfast may be required before you catch your flight home.

CHURCH TRAYBAKE KLAXON

Team, I am in a church hall eating the traybakes. And as a bonus, we have a very special church sandwich - chicken and grape between brown and white bread. Do I win Mumsnet?

Sorry for the repeat posts 😳 I’m off my face on sugar.

Thanks Adora, bonus is Im on steroids so extra hungry
Bloody hell Eleven thats magnificent.

@PierreBezukov Many, many thanks- that's a grand itinerary for Day 1. What about the rest of the week?
Any pointers on coach parking?

HotSauceCommittee* I think it's more laughing at ourselves than funny iyswim?

ElevenOhFive I know where my DM is tonight so I know she's not responsible for those sandwiches. Phew.

While it's not a tray bake, it's linked by sugar so any tour of NI has to stop at the Meat Merchant in Moira to get some sugar pit streaky bacon. It's indescribably good.