Rock-Solid Happiness: The Sweet British Rock Cake Recipe

Rock cakes burst with nostalgic charm from british bakeries, offering a delightful twist on traditional sweet treats.

Memories of grandmother’s kitchen swirl around these rustic delicacies.

Crisp edges and tender centers make these crumbly delights irresistible.

Scattered with currants and studded with hints of warm spices, each bite tells a story.

Baking these simple treats connects you to generations of home cooks.

Simple ingredients come together in a quick, no-fuss method that guarantees success.

Whip up these rock cakes and let your kitchen fill with comforting aromas that beckon everyone to the table.

Why Delia Smith Rock Cake Recipe Is A Nostalgic Bake

• Quicken Kitchen Skills: Perfect for baking beginners wanting to learn basic pastry techniques without complex steps.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Uses common pantry staples like flour, sugar, and dried fruit, making it super accessible for home bakers.
• Family Gathering Treat: Creates delightful rock cakes that bring everyone together, perfect for afternoon tea or casual weekend snacking.
• No-Fuss Baking Adventure: Requires simple mixing and dropping technique, allowing even novice bakers to create delicious homemade treats with minimal kitchen stress.

Everything You Need For Delia Smith Rock Cake Recipe

• Flour: A base ingredient that provides structure and texture to the rock cakes.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning during baking.
• Butter: Creates a rich, crumbly texture and enhances flavor.

• Raisins, Currants: Add natural sweetness and chewy texture to the rock cakes.

• Egg, Milk, Vanilla: Bind the ingredients together and provide moisture and depth of flavor to the rock cakes.

• Baking Powder: Helps the rock cakes rise and become light and fluffy.

How To Make Delia Smith Rock Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and perfect baking.

Step 2: Create Dry Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder

Whisk these ingredients together until they’re evenly blended and free of lumps.

Step 3: Work in Butter

Use your fingertips to gently rub cold butter into the dry ingredients. Continue working until the mixture looks like coarse, crumbly breadcrumbs. This technique helps create a light, tender texture in your rock cakes.

Step 4: Add Fruity Goodness

Sprinkle dried fruits into the crumbly mixture. Gently fold them through to distribute evenly throughout the dough.

Step 5: Mix Wet Ingredients

• Egg
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Blend these ingredients until they’re smooth and well combined.

Step 6: Form The Dough

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Stir carefully until a rough, slightly lumpy dough forms. Don’t overmix – some unevenness gives rock cakes their signature rustic charm.

Step 7: Shape The Cakes

Use a spoon to drop small mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Space them a few inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.

Step 8: Bake To Golden Perfection

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, watching for a beautiful golden-brown color and slightly crisp edges.

Step 9: Cool And Enjoy

Remove the rock cakes from the oven. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm with a cup of tea or coffee for a delightful treat.

Simple Tips For Delia Smith Rock Cake Recipe

• Fruit Selection Magic: Mix different dried fruits like currants, raisins, and chopped apricots for a more complex flavor profile and exciting texture.
• Crumbly Texture Secret: Handle the dough minimally to keep rock cakes light and crumbly, avoiding overworking the mixture.
• Customize Sweetness: Adjust sugar levels by adding a sprinkle of demerara sugar on top before baking for extra crunch and caramelized edges.
• Temperature Precision: Use room temperature butter and egg for better incorporation and consistent baking results.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum to maintain the traditional rock cake structure.

Try New Twists On Delia Smith Rock Cake Recipe

• Gluten-Free Rock Cakes: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version.
• Low-Sugar Rock Cakes: Swap regular sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener to reduce overall sugar content.
• Vegan Rock Cakes: Use coconut oil instead of butter, replace egg with mashed banana or flax egg, and choose plant-based milk.
• Fruity Spice Variation: Mix in cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom, and replace dried fruit with fresh berries or chopped apples for a seasonal touch.

Tasty Pairings With Delia Smith Rock Cake Recipe

• Pair with Classic English Breakfast Tea: The robust, malty flavor perfectly complements the sweet and crumbly rock cakes, creating a traditional British afternoon treat that feels warm and comforting.
• Enhance with Clotted Cream: Spread a thick layer of rich, smooth clotted cream on warm rock cakes to add luxurious texture and a delightful creamy contrast to the fruity baked goods.
• Match with Homemade Jam: Dollop strawberry or raspberry jam alongside rock cakes to amplify the fruit notes and provide a burst of sweet, tangy flavor that elevates the entire baking experience.
• Serve with Vanilla Custard: Pour warm, silky vanilla custard over rock cakes for a decadent dessert that transforms the simple treat into an indulgent, nostalgic experience reminiscent of childhood puddings.

How To Store Delia Smith Rock Cake Recipe Properly

• Store rock cakes in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual rock cakes tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags, preserving them for up to 2 months.
• Warm rock cakes at 150C for 5-7 minutes, restoring their crisp exterior and soft interior.
• Let frozen rock cakes thaw naturally at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving, maintaining their original texture.

FAQs For Delia Smith Rock Cake Recipe

• Are rock cakes difficult to make?

No, rock cakes are surprisingly simple and perfect for beginner bakers. The recipe requires basic mixing techniques and minimal ingredients.

• What gives rock cakes their unique texture?

The rubbing method of combining butter with flour creates a crumbly, rough texture that gives these cakes their signature “rocky” appearance. Dropping spoonfuls of dough onto the tray also helps maintain their rustic look.

• Can I customize the dried fruit in rock cakes?

Absolutely! You can use raisins, currants, sultanas, or mixed dried fruit. Some bakers even add chopped glacé cherries or candied peel for extra flavor.

Rock Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 25-30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Rock cakes bring British baking nostalgia to your kitchen with simple pantry ingredients. Crumbly, sweet, and perfectly rustic, these traditional treats offer a delightful connection to homemade comfort you’ll savor with every bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 225 grams (8 ounces) self-raising flour
• 125 grams (4.4 ounces) unsalted butter, cubed
• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) mixed dried fruit

Sweeteners and Binding:

• 75 grams (2.6 ounces) caster sugar
• 1 free-range egg
• 1 tablespoon milk

Leavening and Flavoring:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 180°C (160°C fan) / Gas mark 4 and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, sugar, and baking powder to ensure even distribution.
3. Cut cold butter into small cubes and incorporate into dry ingredients using fingertips, creating a crumbly texture similar to coarse breadcrumbs.
4. Gently fold dried fruit into the crumbly mixture, ensuring even spread throughout.
5. Whisk egg, milk, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until well combined.
6. Pour wet ingredients into dry mixture, stirring minimally to create a rough, lumpy dough without overmixing.
7. Using a spoon, drop uneven mounds of dough onto prepared baking tray, leaving space between each cake.
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, watching for a golden-brown exterior and slightly crisp edges.
9. Remove from oven and allow cakes to rest on the tray for a few minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to prevent soggy bottoms.

Notes

• Experiment with different dried fruits like cranberries, apricots, or mixed peel to add unique flavor profiles and textures to your rock cakes.
• Ensure butter is cold and cut into small cubes for the perfect crumbly texture that gives rock cakes their signature rustic appearance.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend and add a pinch of xanthan gum to improve binding.
• Dust the cooled rock cakes with powdered sugar or drizzle with a light lemon glaze to elevate their simple, homey charm and add a touch of sweetness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 165 kcal
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg