Rock Cakes

These classic old-fashioned rock cakes are buttery, fruity, and extra delicious when served warm from the oven!

Made from basic baking ingredients, they are ready to enjoy in under 20 minutes!

Rock cakes - or Rock Buns - are an old-school favourite that are soft and crumbly on the inside and crunchy on the outside. They are perfect for whipping up at the last minute and make a delicious after-school treat served warm from the oven!

Similar to fruit scones, rock cakes have a more crumbly texture. They are SO easy to make and don't even require any rolling out - just pop spoonfuls of the mixture onto lined trays and bake!

Old-fashioned rock cakes are a classic bake that, along with old-fashioned slices, jam drops, date squares, and coconut rough, are just as popular as ever!

Why You're Going To Love This Recipe

• One bowl recipe - made in one bowl and taking just 5 minutes to prepare, rock buns are such an easy recipe to make - the simple dough doesn't even need to be rolled out!
• Basic ingredients - these rock buns are made with simple to find, economical ingredients.
• Kid-friendly - they are great fun to bake with kids and are perfect to pop into lunch boxes too!
• Conventional and Thermomix - both methods are written in the recipe card at the end of the post.

What You Need 

This easy rock cake recipe uses a handful of fridge and pantry staples.

Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

• Self-raising flour - also known as self-rising flour. You can use store-bought or make your own self-raising flour.
• Baking powder - helps provide extra lift to give these rock cakes a soft and light texture.
• Butter - you can use either salted butter or unsalted butter. Make sure that it is chilled.
• Sultanas - are a classic addition to rock cakes. Substitute with mixed dried fruit or glace cherries.
• Caster sugar - also known as superfine sugar, dissolves easily when mixed with other ingredients.
• Orange zest - the zest from 1 orange adds a lovely background flavour to these rock buns. You can substitute with lemon zest if you prefer.
• Vanilla extract - along with the orange zest, vanilla extract adds a delicious sweet background flavour.
• Eggs - I use large eggs that weigh approximately 55-60g (2 oz).

Equipment Required

You don't need any fancy equipment to make this rock cake recipe!

• Two baking trays - line your baking tray with baking paper.
• Large Bowl, food processor or Thermomix - to combine the ingredients.
• Oven - I use a fan-forced oven. If you use a conventional oven, then increase the temperature by 10-20 degrees Celsius.

Step By Step Instructions 

Making this recipe for rock cakes is as easy as 1,2,3! Just rub in the butter, mix the ingredients together, and bake!

Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

Step 1 - Rub The Butter Into The Flour

Preheat the oven. Line two flat baking trays with baking paper. 

Sift the self-raising flour and baking powder into a bowl.

Add the cubed and chilled butter and rub it into the dry ingredients using your fingers until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Step 2 - Stir In The Other Ingredients

Add the sultanas, caster sugar, grated orange zest, eggs and vanilla extract.

Combine all ingredients until a stiff dough has formed.

Step 3 - Bake

Place heaped teaspoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking trays, leaving a gap in between them to allow for spreading. 

Bake until golden brown. Allow to cool on the trays before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Expert Tips

• Texture - traditional rock cakes have a soft crumbly texture that is a cross between a scone and a biscuit. 
• Rock cakes are delicious served while still warm.
• Use cold butter - this ensures the rock cakes have a light and fluffy texture.
• Optional - add ½ cup chocolate chips for a chocolate hit!
• Check that your baking powder is within its use-by date - otherwise it won't be as effective.
• Preheat your oven and make sure it is to the correct temperature before baking your rock cakes - they need that immediate burst of heat to help them rise.
• Leave a gap in between the rock cakes on the trays - as they can spread when in the oven.
• Don't overcook rock cakes - they will firm up as they cool.
• Sprinkle over a little sugar before baking - for an extra crunchy top!
• Storage - best served on the day they are made, however you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

FAQs 

Related Recipes

For an afterschool, morning tea or supper treat that is SO easy to whip up and guaranteed to be met with big smiles, you cannot beat simple bakes. Here are some of my most popular scone recipes which are always devoured in minutes!

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