I came across this recipe (of Alison Holst's) for Rock Cakes the other day, and I just had to give them a go. I remember my Great Grandmother often having rock cakes in her biscuit tin... mmmmmm. Definitely one of those old fashioned recipes! Does anyone else remember eating these as a child?

You could make interesting variations with these little biscuits by adding extra ingredients like chocolate chunks instead of the dried fruit.

Ingredients
125g butter
½ cup sugar
½ tsp vanilla
1 egg
¾ cup (95g) self-raising flour
1 cup (130g) plain flour
1 cup currants, sultanas, or mixed fruit.

Turn the oven on to 180°C, or to 170°C if using a fan oven.

Soften but do not melt the butter. Add the sugar and vanilla, whisk or food process to combine, then add the egg and a tablespoon of the measured flour, and whisk or food process until light coloured. Add the remaining flours, and mix just enough to combine. Add the dried fruit and stir or process very briefly.

Using two spoons, form into mounds on a non-stick sprayed or baking paper-lined oven tray, leaving a little space for spreading.

Bake for 10-15 minutes, until golden at the edges, and firm in the middle.

Cool on a rack, then store in an airtight container.