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Rock Buns

June 14, 2017 By Amy 33 Comments

Rock Buns recipe from Baking with Granny. Traditional Scottish / British bake.

It was actually one of our lovely Twitter followers who’d requested this recipe and of course, Granny had her go-to Rock Bun recipe right on cue! I’m pretty sure prior to this, the last time I made Rock Buns was in my High School Home Economics class and I’m pretty sure they were more rock than they were bun.

Given my sketchy history with baking Rock Buns, I was unsure of my actual opinion of them. Surely they shouldn’t actually break your teeth, like the H.E. Rock Bun disaster of 2001? I mean, sure, they’re called Rock Buns but why would anyone choose to eat something so tough? Turns out those ‘Rock Buns’ (inverted commas as I think it’s a stretch to actually call them so) were burnt well over done and probably not the best recipe, like most recipes our school produced.

Turns out, I love Rock Buns! It wasn’t until Granny compared them to scones that I thought there was a chance they were something I could get on board with.

So if you love crumbly little cakes, loaded with flavour and dried fruit, then give Rock Buns a chance – you won’t be disappointed with this recipe! (As long as you don’t burn them and end up with literal H.E.-esque rocks). And take it from me, you’ll love them most of all when they’re still a little warm and fresh from the oven.

I most certainly did not eat 3 in one sitting…


Ingredients:

Self-raising Flour
As opposed to using a plain flour, self-raising flour is what gives these little buns a bit of lift. Without that they would definitely be more rock-like.

Butter/Margarine
Either will do and it’s personal preference to which you choose. I opt for margarine as a way to omit the dairy but whatever you choose, just be sure it’s at room temperature before baking.

Caster Sugar
All buns need a bit of sweetness and Rock Buns are no exception!

Free-range Egg
Egg works as the binder in this recipe. I don’t tend to stress to much about the size of eggs in buns, as long as they’re free-range.

Milk
In this recipe, milk is needed to add moisture to the buns and help create the dough. You may not need all the milk listed, so be sure to add it gradually.

Orange Extract
Not essential but certainly adds to the beauty of these wee buns. I find orange extract to be the best but you can mix it up with some lemon or vanilla extract too.

Dried Mixed Fruit
Either from a ready-bagged mix, or create your own with what dried fruit you have, or your favourites.


Rock Buns recipe from Baking with Granny. Traditional Scottish / British bake.
Granny’s Top Tips

• This recipe uses dried mix fruit but if you can’t get your hands on a combination bag, simply use a mixture of sultanas, currants and mix peel, to the quantities of your preference.
• Orange extract gives the best flavour results and nicely compliments the peel in the mixed dried fruit, however you can easily substitute it for lemon or vanilla extract should you wish.

Rock Buns
Print Recipe
5 from 15 votes

Rock Buns

Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Author: Baking with Granny

Ingredients

  • 250 g Self-raising Flour
  • 65 g Butter/Margarine
  • 70 g Caster Sugar
  • 1 Free-range Egg
  • 2-3 tbsp Milk
  • 1 tsp Orange Extract
  • 100 g Mixed Dried Fruit

Instructions

  • Pre-heat your oven to 190° (or 170°c for a fan assisted oven or Gas Mark 5) and grease a couple of baking sheets. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, sift the flour. Add the butter and rub together with your fingers until it resembles breadcrumbs.
  • Add the sugar and egg to the mixture. Add the milk a spoonful at a time, mixing together to create a thick, sticky dough – you may not need all the milk.
  • Add the orange extract and the mixed dried fruit. Mix until the dried fruit is evenly dispersed through the dough.
  • Place a tablespoon sized amount of dough onto your pre-greased baking sheets. Repeat with the rest of the dough, leaving space between each ball. Don’t be concerned with making them neat – the rougher the balls are, the more rock-like your buns will appear.
  • Bake in your pre-heated oven for around 15 minutes until they have a nice golden colour.
  • Allow to cool a little on the baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Although rock buns are best enjoyed when still a little warm from the oven!

Notes

You can substitute the orange extract for lemon extract or vanilla extract, although orange works nicely as it compliments the peel in the mixed dried fruit.
Rock Buns recipe from Baking with Granny. Traditional Scottish / British bake.

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Filed Under: cake, recipe, scottish

Comments

  1. Rebecca Smith says

    June 17, 2017 at 5:25 pm

    Oh wow, now THAT brings back memories, haven’t had a rock bun in years, love the fact you’ve added orange extract – genius! #recipeoftheweek

    Reply
    • Sarafina says

      May 1, 2019 at 12:30 am

      When u are are a rock bun what does it give u minerals and contaminAtion u are a rock bun did it give u minerals and vitamins

      Reply
  2. jenny paulin says

    June 19, 2017 at 9:41 am

    I also have not had a rock bun for years. I used to make them with my nanny – I think it is a recipe I ought to try with my boys and soon! thank you for sharing with #BakeoftheWeek x

    Reply
  3. Haylee says

    February 21, 2018 at 11:11 pm

    This is a really good recipe! They came out still pretty soft in the middle, crunchy on the out side with the dried fruit, mmmmmm! I added vanilla bean paste which also worked really well.

    Reply
    • Mya says

      February 13, 2021 at 9:58 am

      5 stars
      I used chocolate chips instead of dried fruit and it turned out really well so if your making them for your kids I suggest chocolate chips :)

      Reply
  4. Amanda says

    June 21, 2018 at 6:33 am

    Absolutly yummy. Hubby had a craving for rock cakes so i passed the test with flying colors with this recipe. They didnt last long the whole 12 of them.

    Reply
  5. James says

    February 11, 2019 at 2:24 pm

    I have made these and they taste exactly the same as scones just looks like a rock. Definitely not the recipe my granny used to make.

    Reply
  6. Sarah says

    July 25, 2019 at 9:31 am

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! I made mine rather big
    and got 8 from recipe! At their very best still warm form from the oven. I made these two days in a row and they were gone before the cooled properly.
    The orange extract is perfect in these

    Reply
  7. Scotty says

    September 11, 2019 at 9:34 pm

    5 stars
    Loving the orange kick , happy days granny

    Reply
  8. Deborah Stevens says

    October 4, 2019 at 5:56 pm

    I made Rock buns with my two sons who are both in their 30’s. I’m revisiting those happy times right now with my granddaughter who is 6.

    Reply
  9. Erone says

    December 12, 2019 at 8:11 am

    thanks for the recipe

    Reply
  10. Hilda Henderson says

    December 12, 2019 at 5:45 pm

    5 stars
    I have made these a couple of times now and they are simply the best rock bun recipe you could bake,the quantities are spot on and they are delicious

    Reply
  11. TvZ says

    March 24, 2020 at 2:07 pm

    5 stars
    Have not made them for years, but now we are isolated I thought I would have a go, my oven is a horror, very hot and has burnt the few baking attempts I have made before giving up entirely. These turned out very well. I did cut back a bit on the butter and added a little oil, added mixed spice too. Thank you.

    Reply
  12. sunita says

    March 27, 2020 at 3:58 pm

    5 stars
    I am going to attempt these tomorrow – Tonight I will soak my dried fruit in Cointreau ;-)

    Reply
    • Amy says

      March 28, 2020 at 10:19 am

      I like the way you think ;)

      Reply
      • Jean Bond says

        March 29, 2020 at 4:21 am

        Great idea. I’m soaking mine in grand mariner

        Reply
  13. Lisa Porter says

    March 30, 2020 at 4:42 pm

    I haven’t made rock buns in years (…and years)! Recipe looks delicious – thank you. Do think it’s possible to swap the dried fruit for chocolate chips? Or will that not work well with this particular mixture? I will be making the fruit version for me but my kids only like dried fruit straight out of the packet, not mixed in things – hence why I thought I might give chocolate chip rock cakes a try too!

    Reply
    • Ella says

      February 18, 2021 at 9:17 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve just tried this recipe tonight with a bag of Aldi’s (the pantry) Chocolate orange mix which is orange fudge & dark choc chips. They come in 100g bags which is absolutely perfect. I tweaked the recipe just slightly, using 50g caster sugar plus 20g demerara sugar & 1 tsp of cinnamon powder.
      My oh my these are absolutely beautiful, so so light & fluffy inside but nice & crisp on the outer. I definitely recommend this recipe & I think if you want them slightly more rock like (firm) just leave them in the oven for a few extra minutes…
      Thank you for a fabulous fool proof recipe

      Reply
  14. Clare says

    March 30, 2020 at 4:45 pm

    5 stars
    Hi, my husband doesn’t like dried fruit so I used chocolate chips instead.

    Reply
    • John says

      January 11, 2021 at 6:42 pm

      5 stars
      We use choc chips in one and sticky cherries in another they are so nicr

      Reply
  15. KATHLEEN says

    April 2, 2020 at 10:51 am

    5 stars
    I have not had rock buns for years. Absolutely loved this recipe and they disappeared in not time. Will make again, but not too soon, as they are very popular.

    Reply
  16. Nicky says

    April 2, 2020 at 4:13 pm

    5 stars
    Wow made them for my dad as a special request !! A different league from the ones I remember

    Reply
  17. Mavis Allan says

    April 2, 2020 at 6:42 pm

    5 stars
    Ive just caught up with your rock bun recipe. Used to love them as a kid, and I’m 71. Although your recipe is a wee bit richer and flavoursome than the very plain fare then. Think i will make a big batch for the residents of my friend’s care home – once its open to visitors again. In the meantime I’ll practice on my family.

    Reply
  18. Alžbeta says

    July 14, 2020 at 3:24 pm

    Hiya
    Can I substitute cow’s milk for plant one?

    Reply
  19. Jean Perry says

    July 17, 2020 at 11:04 am

    I have t made rock cakes for years even though I love them. The recipe is a good one ‘Rocky’ on the outside and soft and fluffy inside. So few ingredients and so easy to make.

    Reply
  20. Dean Quinlivan says

    July 19, 2020 at 9:26 am

    5 stars
    I absolutely love this recipe. I double the recipe usually and get 8 good sized rock cakes. They live them at work!!

    Reply
  21. Ian Anderson says

    July 31, 2020 at 7:17 pm

    Just made these and they’re by far the nicest I’ve tried. Not overly sweet either which is perfect

    Reply
  22. Michael Joyes says

    November 16, 2020 at 9:37 pm

    Am 83 the Rock Buns I made today from your recipe Fantastic
    Can you put a recipe on for cheese sconces please
    Beginning to learn baking since my wife died, and is it possible to quote in ounces

    Reply
  23. Jackie Wooller says

    November 30, 2020 at 1:31 pm

    Just made these x my Nan use to make rock cakes all the time x they were simply the best x the orange extract works perfectly x thank you x

    Reply
  24. Shaheeda Hanauer says

    January 24, 2021 at 9:39 pm

    5 stars
    Made these today and they were the best rock buns I’ve ever had. I used to buy them when I worked and it was a special treat when I got them fresh out of the oven.. Will never buy a shop bought one again. Thank you for sharing. Going to try them with choc chips as my husbands not fond of the fruit.

    Reply
  25. Sandra A Tate says

    February 21, 2021 at 2:21 am

    5 stars
    Would it be possible to put the amount of ingredients in ounces for us Americans. I left england 69 years ago and have forgot the metric system. Mine did come out quite good since I guessed at the amounts to use. Thank you

    Reply
  26. Peter Cochran says

    February 26, 2021 at 12:44 pm

    I have just made your Rock Buns, since moving to South Africa in 1991 and being a “lancashire lad” I have so missed these. The recipe was spot on and now I shall send you my bill for my next size up pair of jeans. Love your page and recipes.
    An ever growing waist fan!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Adventure with Food – The Tan Times says:
    June 5, 2020 at 1:05 am

    […] Anyone who is a MGS Sophia girl will experience making Rock Buns.  […]

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