Description
Homemade rock buns elevate British tea-time treats with crumbly, sweet charm. Crisp exterior and tender interior promise delightful moments you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 225 grams (1 3/4 cups) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 50 grams (1/4 cup) granulated sugar
- 50 grams (1/4 cup) light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
Baking Ingredients:
- 110 grams (1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter
- 100 grams (about 2/3 cup) mixed dried fruit (raisins, sultanas, currants)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 375F (190C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper for optimal baking conditions.
- Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, ensuring an even distribution of flour, baking powder, sugars, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Incorporate cold butter into the dry mixture using fingertips or a pastry cutter, working until the texture resembles coarse crumbs with a sandy consistency.
- Fold in dried fruit thoroughly, ensuring an equal spread throughout the mixture.
- Whisk egg with milk in a separate container, then gently integrate the liquid into the dry ingredients, creating a soft, cohesive dough. Adjust moisture with an extra milk splash if needed.
- Transfer dough to a floured surface and shape into a round approximately 2 cm thick. Create individual buns by either cutting rounds or forming rustic mounds with hands.
- Arrange buns on the prepared tray, leaving slight spacing between each piece. Gently flatten the tops to promote even baking.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until the exterior turns golden brown and the surface feels firm when touched.
- Transfer rock buns to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling to develop their signature crisp exterior and tender interior.
Notes
- Swap dried fruits like raisins or currants with chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or seeds for different flavor profiles and textures.
- Keep butter extremely cold to ensure a crumbly, flaky texture that’s essential for authentic rock buns.
- Mix ingredients minimally to prevent tough buns; gentle mixing maintains a light, delicate crumb structure.
- For gluten-free option, replace wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 154 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 134 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 2.5 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg