How to make quintessentially British Rock Cakes loved by Harry Potter

Rock cakes, also known as rock buns, are a deliciously light traditional British cake. They are a childhood favourite sweet treat in the UK and extremely easy to make.
Rock cakes are a traditional British cake with a long history and have been popular in the UK for centuries. Because they are extremely economical to make, they use only one egg and less sugar than other cakes, they were extremely popular during times of rationing in the Second World War. In fiction, they are enjoyed by Harry Potter and Ron Weasley in the Philosopher’s Stone as well as by characters in a couple of Agatha Christie books. So easy to make you can get your children involved, and in fact , these were the first cakes I ever made when I was nine years old.
Instructions: In a bowl mix 225g self raising flour (or 225g plain flour with 2 teaspoons baking powder) and half a teaspoon of salt. Then combine with 125g margarine until it resembles breadcrumbs. Next mix in 75g sugar and 50g currants or sultanas. Now add 1 egg, 2 tablespoons of milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla essence and stir until combined. Grease a baking sheet and, using 2 forks, roughly shape into 10-12 cakes. Keep them rough looking as they are meant to look like rocks.
Bake at 200°C / fan 180° C for about 12 to 15 minutes until firm and slightly golden. Cool on a wire rack and eat warm or cold. These freeze well too.

[@bosvigos9165]

Thank you so much for this. I was looking for the recipe as my mother used to make them when I was growing up. She used to tell me of her days of being first married to my father, in 1949. My dad was an RSM in the army and the RSM’s house was overlooking the parade ground. My father was on duty doing his thing, while my mother was cooking and the smell of baking floating across the parade ground used to drive the guys nuts! So anyone who did particularly well, would be “volunteered” to help my mother by chopping wood, or cleaning windows, grass cutting maybe. The reward would be afternoon tea and especially, rock buns to take back to their dorms. They were much loved!

[@Jewels64]

Thanks for sharing, my mum always sprinkled sugar on top before baking. I’ll be making these on the weekend for my grandson 😋 I hope he enjoys them as much as we did.

[@farmeedabi4391]

Oh my days me and my family are huge Harry Potter fans and I made these for us.... I'm not a great baker can make things like cookies, pizza and that's about it. I absolutely love them ....we The them all the way on our trip to Harry Potter Studios London. Thank you soooo much for sharing ❤❤❤

[@TheBaconeaterz]

Great Rock Cakes, It's been over 20 years since i had these, Hard to find in Australia, so lucky to find this recipe. I did add glace cherry's and some desiccated coconut Next time it will be a double batch :)

[@drphobus]

Also works great with coconut instead of sultanas. Soaks up the tea very nicely.

[@TheBaconeaterz]

BOTH

[@fidelisfru5264]

Splendid.

[@fidelisfru5264]

Impressive. Love it

[@tamraznisa2169]

I made these they came out delicious 😋 instead of raisins I added chocolate chips as kids prefer them . Thank you for the lovely recipe on my fave list now .

[@nige322]

I have gone all in choc nuts mix dry fruit and orange instead of vanilla

[@veronicacarver5000]

Lovely! Hasn’t she done well

[@jayjay-71]

My Mrs loves these cakes, she thinks I'm brilliant for being able to make them...shhhhhhh don't tell her..