Traditional Rock Cake

Written by
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm is a renowned British food writer, classically trained chef, teacher, and author with over 25 years of experience writing about British food and cooking.
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Elaine Lemm
Updated 04/30/20
Traditional Rock Cake

 The Spruce
  • Total: 30 mins
  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook: 15 mins
  • Yield: 12 medium-sized (12 servings)
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
168 Calories
9g Fat
18g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12 medium-sized (12 servings)
Amount per serving
Calories 168
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 11%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 76mg 25%
Sodium 398mg 17%
Total Carbohydrate 18g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Protein 4g
Calcium 75mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Rock cakes are simply the easiest British baked good to make. They are also known as rock buns, depending on where you live in the United Kingdom. The recipe, however, is always the same: A simple dough made of flour, baking powder, butter, sugar, milk, and egg is studded with dried fruit, rolled into balls, and baked.

Children love to make them, and may also have a fondness for them since they happen to be one of Harry Potter's favorite tea time treats.

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Ingredients

  • 8 ounces/225 grams self-rising flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 8 tablespoons/110 grams (1 stick) butter or margarine (soft)
  • 4 1/2 tablespoons/55 grams sugar
  • 1/2 cup/110 grams mixed dried fruit
  • 6 tablespoons/55 grams currants
  • 1 egg
  • 1 to 3 tablespoons milk
  • Optional: demerara sugar for sprinkling

Steps to Make It

How to Make the Traditional Rock Buns

  1. Gather the Ingredients

    Traditional Rock Cake Recipe ingredients
    ​The Spruce 

  2. Preheat the oven to 350 F/175 C. Lightly grease two baking sheets.

  3. Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl, add the softened butter or margarine, and lightly rub together with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

    Butter melted in a pan
     The Spruce

  4. Add the sugar and dried fruit and mix so all ingredients are well incorporated.

    Rock cake mixture
     The Spruce

  5. Add the egg and 1 tablespoon of the milk and mix to create a stiff dough. If the mixture is still dry, add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the correct consistency is reached.

    Rock cake batter mix
     The Spruce

  6. Using a tablespoon, divide the mixture into 12 mounds and space evenly on the baking sheets. Sprinkle with the demerara sugar, if using.

    Rock cake batter balls on a baking sheet
     The Spruce

  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 mins or until golden brown and well risen. The rock buns should be firm to the touch; they will harden once cool.

    Traditional Rock Cake
     The Spruce

  8. Enjoy!

Recipe Variations

  • Dried cranberries (craisins) make a good addition, as do a few chopped nuts, a teaspoon of honey, or some chocolate chips.
  • You can also add a teaspoon of mixed spice. If you can't find mixed spice, try using pumpkin pie spice.

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