Are you looking to add a touch of nostalgic charm to your baking routine? Look no further than this delightful Old Fashioned Rock Cake recipe. These rustic treats are like a warm hug in dessert form, perfect for cozy afternoons with a cup of tea or coffee. With a crunchy exterior and a soft, crumbly interior dotted with bits of dried fruit, these rock cakes are a classic favorite that never goes out of style. So, roll up your sleeves, preheat your oven, and let’s get baking!
**Old Fashioned Rock Cake Recipe**
**Ingredients:**
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
– 1/2 cup mixed dried fruit (such as raisins, currants, and chopped apricots)
– 1 large egg
– 1/3 cup milk
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– Zest of 1 lemon
– Demerara sugar, for sprinkling
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add the cold butter cubes to the dry ingredients. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
4. Stir in the mixed dried fruit until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, vanilla extract, and lemon zest.
6. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Gently fold everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the dough should be rough and lumpy.
7. Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, portion out the dough into equally sized mounds on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each one.
8. Sprinkle the tops of the rock cakes with a little demerara sugar for extra crunch.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-18 minutes or until the rock cakes are golden brown on the outside and cooked through.
10. Let the rock cakes cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
There you have it — a batch of scrumptious Old Fashioned Rock Cakes ready to be enjoyed! These treats are best served warm, either on their own or with a dollop of clotted cream or a drizzle of honey. They also make a lovely homemade gift for friends or neighbors, wrapped in a pretty box or tin. So, next time you want to whip up a simple yet comforting bake, give this Old Fashioned Rock Cake recipe a try. Happy baking!
