Description
Rock cakes have a crumbly exterior and soft inside, dotted with dried fruit – a simple, old-school bake that never really went out of style.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (225 grams) self-rising flour
- 1/2 cup (110 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into pieces
- 1/2 cup (110 grams) mixed dried fruit
- 6 tablespoons (55 grams) currants
Binding Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1 to 3 tablespoons milk
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (55 grams) sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Demerara sugar, for sprinkling, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper or light grease.
- Sift flour and baking soda together in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a light, airy base.
- Incorporate softened butter into the flour mixture using fingertips, working until the texture resembles delicate breadcrumbs.
- Gently fold sugar and dried fruit into the crumbly mixture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Create a small well in the center of the mixture and whisk the egg with a tablespoon of milk.
- Gradually combine wet and dry ingredients, carefully mixing to form a cohesive dough. If the mixture seems dry, slowly add milk one tablespoon at a time.
- Portion the dough into 12 rustic mounds on the prepared baking sheets, each approximately 1/4 cup in size. Sprinkle with demerara sugar for added crunch and sweetness if desired.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, watching for a golden-brown color and a firm, slightly crisp exterior.
- Let cool slightly before enjoying. The rough texture and crumbly bite are part of their charm.
Notes
- Soften butter at room temperature for easier mixing and smoother texture in rock cakes.
- Choose dried fruits like currants, raisins, or mixed peel to add sweet bursts of flavor and traditional British character.
- Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough, dense rock cakes; gentle handling creates a light, crumbly texture.
- Sprinkle extra demerara sugar on top before baking for a delightful crispy, caramelized crust that adds extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 181 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg