Mary Berry Rock Cakes Recipe

Diving into the world of baking can be an exciting adventure, and one delightful treat to begin your journey with is the humble rock cake.

You can thank the legendary MaryBerry for this timeless recipe that has been a staple in home kitchens for generations.

Mary Berry’s Rock Cakes are a perfect combination of sweet and tangy, offering flavor in every bite.

So, roll up your sleeves and preheat your oven as you prepare to create a batch of irresistible Mary Berry’s Rock Cakes.

How to Make Mary Berry Rock Cakes

 

Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delightful rock cakes:

• A large mixing bowl
• 225g plain flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 150g caster sugar
• 100g cold butter, cubed
• 1 large egg
• 1-2 tbsp milk
• 75g dried mixed fruit
• Baking tray
• Baking paper

Step-by-step Process

Step 1: Prepare your baking tray

Line a baking tray with baking paper to prepare it for your baked rock cakes later.

Step 2: Preheat the oven

Set your oven to 200°C (180°C for a fan oven) or Gas Mark 6, allowing it to warm up while you prepare the cake mix.

Step 3: Combine the dry ingredients

In your large mixing bowl, add the plain flour and baking powder.

Stir well to mix.

Step 4: Incorporate the butter

Add the cold butter cubes to the flour mixture.

Rub the butter in using your fingertips until the mix resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Step 5: Add the sugar and fruit

Stir in the caster sugar and dried mixed fruit, evenly distributing them throughout the mixture.

Step 6: Prepare the wet ingredients

In a separate bowl, beat together the egg and milk; make sure the consistency is smooth and even.

Step 7: Combine wet and dry mixtures

Pour the egg and milk mixture into the breadcrumb mixture.

Mix the ingredients with a spatula or spoon until a firm, dough-like texture is formed.

Step 8: Form the rock cakes & bake

Use your hands, a spoon, or an ice cream scoop to divide the dough into 10-12 equal portions.

Place each portion on the tray with baking paper, gently shaping them to resemble rocky, uneven lumps.

Place the baking tray with your formed rock cakes into the preheated oven.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the rock cakes are golden brown on top.

Step 9: Cool and enjoy

Remove the baked rock cakes from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.

Once cooled, enjoy your delicious biscuity creations with a cup of tea or coffee.

Side Dishes for Mary Berry Rock Cakes

When enjoying Mary Berry Rock Cakes, you may want to add some delicious side dishes to complement their sweet and fruity taste.

This section will explore the main side dishes that can be served with these delightful treats.

Chocolate Chips

Adding chocolate chips to the mix or sprinkling them on top of your rock cakes can bring an extra layer of sweetness and enrich the overall flavor.

They provide a delightful contrast against the fruity taste, offering your palate a blend of dark chocolate and the cake’s texture.

Chocolate Icing

Drizzling a rich chocolate icing over your Mary Berry Rock Cakes can add a delectable twist to the traditional recipe.

Not only does it enhance the overall presentation, but it also adds a velvety and somewhat indulgent flavor.

Chocolate icing works well with these cakes’ tender and crumbly texture, giving them a luxurious finish.

Don’t hesitate to get creative in the kitchen and find your perfect side dish to accompany these delightful goodies.

Ingredients Substitutes

When making Mary Berry rock cakes, you might find yourself needing to substitute some ingredients.

Here’s a list of some possible substitutes you can use to ensure your rock cakes are still delicious.

Butter Substitute

If you are out of butter or prefer a non-dairy option, use margarine or a vegan butter substitute instead.

Make sure the substitute is suitable for baking and has a similar fat content to regular butter.

Egg

You can use a flax egg or another egg replacement product for an egg-free alternative. 

To make a flax egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water and let it thicken for a few minutes.

This will help bind the ingredients together similarly to a regular egg.

Milk

If you need a dairy-free milk substitute, you can use almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk.

Just ensure that the milk alternative you use is unsweetened so as not to alter the taste of your rock cakes.

How to Store Mary Berry Rock Cakes

Storing Mary Berry Rock Cakes properly ensures they stay fresh and delicious for as long as possible.

Airtight Container

The most common and simple way to store your rock cakes is in an airtight container.

After the cakes have cooled completely, place them in a container with a tight-fitting lid to preserve their freshness and prevent them from drying out.

You can store the container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, for up to 5 days.

Freezing for Longer Storage

If you’d like to store your rock cakes for an extended period, you can freeze them.

Wrap each rock cake individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to protect them from freezer burn.

Place the wrapped cakes in a large, resealable plastic bag or an airtight container.

Label the container with the date to know how long the cakes have been stored.

These cakes can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To enjoy them, let the cakes thaw at room temperature for a few hours before serving.

Follow these storage tips to maintain the quality and taste of your Mary Berry Rock Cakes, and enjoy their delightful flavor every time you eat one.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when preparing Mary Berry Rock Cakes.

Not measuring ingredients correctly.

To achieve the best results with your Mary Berry Rock Cakes, it is essential to measure your ingredients accurately.

This ensures a perfect balance between the dry ingredients, like flour and sugar, and the wet ones, like milk and egg.

Using too much or too little of any components can lead to an unpleasant texture or taste.

Overmixing the flour mixture

When mixing the flour and butter, avoid overmixing.

It’s crucial to achieve a breadcrumb-like consistency and not a uniform dough.

Overmixing can cause the rock cakes to become too chewy and dense, whereas you want them to have a crumbly, lighter texture.

Rub the butter and flour together gently with your fingertips.

Overcrowding the baking tray

When placing the rock cake dough on the baking tray, make sure to leave enough space between each of them.

They will expand as they bake, and overcrowding can cause them to stick together or bake unevenly.

Spacing them out ensures that each rock cake has enough room to expand and cook properly.

Not preheating the oven.

Mary Berry’s Rock Cakes require a preheated oven – usually around 200°C – to ensure they bake evenly and quickly.

Skipping this step can result in unevenly cooked cakes or an excessively long bake time, which might leave them unappetizing.