Learn how to make these delicious Brighton rock buns, or rock cakes. This easy rock cakes recipe uses only a handful of ingredients and makes tasty buns every time.
Also known as Brighton bun cakes, these delicious fruity scone-like treats earnt their name from their jagged, rock-like appearance. Packed with sweet currants and creamy almonds, these teatime snacks were traditionally enjoyed at a number of Britain’s beloved seaside towns. Nowadays, of course, they can be scoffed anywhere. Whip them up in your own kitchen within 30 minutes, using just a few store cupboard ingredients, butter and an egg.
Ingredients
- 200g (7oz) self-raising flour
- 50g (1½ oz) ground almonds
- Pinch of salt
- 90g (3oz) butter
- 90g (3oz) caster sugar
- 90g (3oz) currants, or dried mixed fruit
- 1 large egg, beaten
WEIGHT CONVERTER
Method
- Set the oven to 190°C (gas mark 5). Sift the flour, ground almonds and salt into a bowl, and rub in the butter. Stir in the sugar, dried fruit and egg, using a round-bladed knife to combine the mixture to a stiff dough.
- Divide dough into 12 rough shapes and place them on the baking sheet. Roughen the surface with a fork.
- Bake the cakes in the middle of the oven for 15 mins until light golden. Sprinkle with a little extra caster sugar. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days.
Top tip for making rock cakes:
Don't be tempted to add liquid to this mixture. Its dryness is what gives the cakes their 'rock-like' appearance.
Jessica Dady is Food Editor at GoodtoKnow and has over 11 years of experience as a digital editor, specialising in all things food, recipes, and SEO. From the must-buy seasonal food hampers and advent calendars for Christmas to the family-friendly air fryers that’ll make dinner time a breeze, Jessica loves trying and testing various food products to find the best of the best for the busy parents among us. Over the years of working with GoodtoKnow, Jessica has had the privilege of working alongside Future’s Test Kitchen to create exclusive videos - as well as writing, testing, and shooting her own recipes. When she’s not embracing the great outdoors with her family at the weekends, Jessica enjoys baking up a storm in the kitchen with her favourite bakes being chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, and a tray of gooey chocolate brownies.
-
Orange polenta and olive oil cake
This orange polenta and olive oil cake has just a handful of ingredients and will taste even better if you can bake it a couple of days ahead.
By Rose Fooks Published
-
Cherry scones
Try our deliciously easy recipe for cherry scones, perfect with a cup of tea...
By Jessica Dady Last updated
-
Cheese scone
Cheese scones are melt-in-the-mouth savoury scones that are best eaten slightly warm, split and spread with a generous knob of unsalted butter
By Jessica Dady Published
-
Stuffed lamb shoulder with feta and apricot
Our stuffed lamb shoulder with feta and apricot is infused with lots of Middle Eastern flavours and it only takes 30 minutes of prep
By Rose Fooks Published
-
Stuffed spring leg of lamb with herby chutney
This stuffed spring leg of lamb with herby chutney is best made the night before so it can marinate and intensify in flavour.
By Jules Mercer Published
-
Easter coconut and lemon cake
This Easter coconut and lemon cake serves 12 and leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to three days.
By Jules Mercer Published
-
4 ingredients and 15 minutes to make this classic British dessert in your air fryer
You can make bread and butter pudding in an air fryer using just four basic store cupboard ingredients, thanks to one TikTok influencer's recipe.
By Ellie Hutchings Published
-
You probably already have the ingredients to make a lava cake in your air fryer - here's how to whip up this easy dessert
You could have yourself a delicious homemade dessert in just 10 minutes with this air fryer lava cake hack.
By Ellie Hutchings Published
-
Kate Middleton has reportedly ‘FaceTimed’ her kids everyday while in hospital as Prince William holds down the fort at home
The Princess of Wales is recovering from surgery in The London Clinic
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published