Jamaican Rock Cake Recipes

JAMAICAN BLACK CAKE

Steps:

• Add the dates, figs, 1 cup of the port, 1 cup of the rum, the almonds, brandied cherries with their liquid, currants, candied orange peel, prunes and dark and golden raisins to a food processor. Process this mixture until the dried fruit is broken down into smaller chunks. Stir in the orange juice. Allow it to soak in the rum for at least 2 hours 30 minutes, but preferably for 2 to 3 days.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 cake pans and line them with brown or wax paper.
• In a stand mixer, combine the butter, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, salt, molasses, browning and eggs. Slowly add the rum-soaked fruit to the mixer a little at a time and mix to combine all of the ingredients.
• Divide the cake batter between the prepared cake pans. Bake the cakes in a water bath by filling a large roasting pan halfway up with water and then setting the cake pans inside. Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Sprinkle the remaining port and rum on top of the cakes and let them cool. These cakes will last for days stored in parchment paper and plastic wrap and for weeks when frozen.

JAMAICAN RUM CAKE

Steps:

• Begin by preheating the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour a bundt pan or funnel pan.
• To the bowl of an electric mixer, add the flour, corn starch, baking powder, salt, sugar, butter and oil.
• Mix on low speed for just a couple of minutes until the butter and oil are well incorporated and the mixture is crumbly and sandy looking.
• Mix in the milk and then mix in the eggs one at a time. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl well after each egg is added.
• Finally, mix in the rum and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 55-65 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
• Completely cool the cake on a wire rack.
• Add the butter, water and sugar to you smallest saucepan.
• Bring to a slow boil and simmer for 7 or 8 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely before adding in the rum and vanilla extract.
• The amount of rum you add to the syrup is completely up to you. I like it with the full 3/4 cup but you can use less if you want a less rummy cake.
• Place the cooled cake back in the bundt pan. This traps in any syrup that drips over the edges and then absorbs it into the cake.
• With a long skewer, poke holes all over the top of the cake, straight through to the bottom of the pan.
• Slowly spoon all of the rum and butter syrup, evenly over the surface of the cake.
• Cover the pan with plastic wrap and leave for several hours or overnight.
• This cake needs no frosting or glaze. It is perfect as it is. I think a frosting might make it a little too sweet.
• Store in an airtight plastic cake container at room temperature.
• This cake remains moist for days. The cake was just as good on day four as it was on day one. It didn't see a day five.

TRADITIONAL ROCK CAKES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Preheat the oven to 350 F/175 C. Lightly grease two baking sheets or line with parchment paper.
• Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl.
• Add the softened butter and lightly rub together with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
• Add the sugar and dried fruit and mix so all ingredients are well incorporated.
• Make a well in the center of the mixture, add the egg and 1 tablespoon of the milk, and whisk with a fork to combine. Mix the dry ingredients into the egg mixture to create a stiff dough. If the mixture is still dry, add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough holds together.
• Divide the mixture into 12 mounds (about 1/4 cup each) and space evenly on the baking sheets. Sprinkle with demerara sugar, if using.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown and well risen. The rock cakes should be firm to the touch. Enjoy!

COCONUT ROCK BUNS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees
• In a medium bowl, whisk or sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, grated orange, nutmeg and salt
• Work in the butter just until the mixture is unevenly crumbly; it's OK for some larger chunks of butter to remain unincorporated. Stir in the raisins and coconut flakes
• Whisk together eggs and vanilla
• Gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until all is moistened and holds together (like a ball)
• Put dough on floured surface, and pat (gently!) with your hands only.
• Fold dough over on itself about 5 times, and then gently press down.
• Shape into 8 - 10 rocks or you may use a cookie cutter. Sprinkle with demerara sugar.
• Place on baking sheet.
• Bake at 400° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned
• Remove, let it cool and serve

JAMAICAN ROCK BUNS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven at 200C or 400F 2. Sift flour, salt, balking powder and cinnamon in a bowl. 3.Rub fat into flour. 4. Stir in fruit and sugar 5. Beat egg with a fork; stir into dry ingredients. Add milk. 6. Drop in a cupcake pan or cookie sheet (non stick) 7. Bake for 15-20 mins.