Australia · Australia

Rock Cakes

Butter rubbed to fine crumbs by hand, then dropped in gloriously rough lumps.

Beginner#80 most lovedUses: Mechanical Dispersion
classic rock cakesBritish-Australian rock buns

The Chemistry in This Bake

Rubbing solid butter into flour by hand until evenly and finely dispersed.

Learn the full technique →

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour
  • Cold butter
  • Sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Mixed dried fruit
  • Egg
  • Milk
  • Ground mixed spice

Method

  1. Rub cold butter into flour, baking powder, and spice until finely crumbed.

  2. Stir in sugar and dried fruit.

  3. Add egg and just enough milk to bind a stiff dough.

  4. Do not smooth the dough — lumps are the aesthetic.

  5. Drop rough clumps onto a lined tray.

  6. Bake at 190 °C for 15-18 minutes until golden.