These wonderfully craggy looking little cakes are a perfect make to satisfy those after school hunger pangs, to take on picnics or to make surprise visitors feel welcome. They use everyday ingredients making this a recipe to keep close at hand.
Pre-heat the oven to 375 F/190oC/Gas 5/170oC Fan oven
Add the flour(s) and margarine or butter to a large mixing bowl and begin to rub the fat into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs.
Stir in the dried fruit, sugar, spices and any citrus zest if using.
Add a beaten egg or flax egg and stir until all the flour is combined and it forms a soft dough.
Divide into eight similar sized pieces and space them out on a baking sheet. They need room to spread. Celebrate a slightly craggy, uneveness in their texture.
Cook in the oven for between 15 and 20 minutes until they are a pretty golden brown.
Remove from the oven and leave them to cool a little for 5 minutes or so then set them out on a cooling rack until cool.
Notes
Nutritional Information is computer generated and is intended as a guideline only.Storage: Old fashioned Rock Cakes will last for up to 3 days in an air tight container, but I suspect that they will not be around for that long!Freeze the baked rock cakes for up to 2 months and defrost thoroughly before eating.You can freezethe dough (for about 2 months) and bake from frozen. It helps to freeze the dough in the spooned out shape of the buns. Then you can just place them on a baking tray and bake. Bake at the same temperature as you would the 'fresh' dough and cook for the same length of time.Make them vegan: Replace the egg with a flax egg. Make this using 1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds and 3 tablespoons of water. Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes before using. The result is crumblier but quite awesome.If you try this recipe I would love it if you would share your experience of making it.