Fruit Rock Buns Recipes

ROCK CAKES (ROCK BUNS)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180deg Fan Assisted.
• Line a baking tray with a sheet of baking parchment or a non stick baking mat.
• Add the flour, salt, sugar and spices into a large bowl. Give it a little mix.
• Using your finger tips, rub in the butter until you have fine breadcrumbs.
• Add the raisins, sultanas and candid peal. Give everything a good mix ensuring all the fruit is coated with flour.
• Mix the egg and milk together in a small jug and add to the flour mixture.
• Bring everything together to form a stiff dough.
• Spoon 11 - 12 individual mounds of dough onto the baking tray. Old Fashioned Rock cakes have a rough surface, so don't worry about trying to make them smooth.
• Bake in the centre of the oven for 15 mins or until baked. They should have a nice golden colour. If you choose to make larger Rock Buns, the baking times will differ and they will take longer to bake.
• Take out of the oven and dust with demerara sugar while still warm. Leave to cool.

ROCK BUNS

Steps:

• Pre-heat your oven to 190° (or 170°c for a fan assisted oven or Gas Mark 5) and grease a couple of baking sheets. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, sift the flour. Add the butter and rub together with your fingers until it resembles breadcrumbs.
• Add the sugar and egg to the mixture. Add the milk a spoonful at a time, mixing together to create a thick, sticky dough - you may not need all the milk.
• Add the orange extract and the mixed dried fruit. Mix until the dried fruit is evenly dispersed through the dough.
• Place a tablespoon sized amount of dough onto your pre-greased baking sheets. Repeat with the rest of the dough, leaving space between each ball. Don't be concerned with making them neat - the rougher the balls are, the more rock-like your buns will appear.
• Bake in your pre-heated oven for around 15 minutes until they have a nice golden colour.
• Allow to cool a little on the baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Although rock buns are best enjoyed when still a little warm from the oven!

ROCK CAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment. Tip the flour, baking powder and 1 tsp spice into a bowl. Add the butter, cut into small pieces. Rub the butter into the flour until the mixture forms fine crumbs (or do this in the food processor).
• Stir in the muscovado sugar and fruit, then add the egg and milk. Mix to a fairly firm dough. Spoon 10 rough blobs of the mixture onto the baking sheet, leaving room for a little spreading. Mix together the sugar and remaining mixed spice and sprinkle over the cakes. Bake for 20-25 mins until golden brown.