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    Whip & Wander » Recipes » Breads, Butters, and Jams

    Published: Dec 15, 2021 · Modified: Dec 26, 2021 by Jenni · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Hagrid's Rock Cakes (with Gluten-Free Option)

    This page may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    rock cakes, a mug of tea, and a green harry potter book on a wooden tabletop
    a tin lined with a white towel and full of rock cakes
    rock caked piled on a brown plate
    three mugs of tea surrounding a cloth lined tin of Hagrid's Rock Cakes
    a pile of Hagrid's Rock Cakes
    a white cloth lined tin filled with hagrids rock cakes piled up
    a harry potter book next to a tin of Hagrid's Rock Cakes and a mug of tea
    a mug of tea next to a harry potter book topped with rock cakes

    three rock cakes sitting on a harry potter book next to a cup of tea

    "Finally he slammed down three bucket-sized mugs of mahogany-brown tea in front of them and a plate of his rock cakes. Harry was hungry enough even for Hagrid's cooking, and took one at once." - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

    Hagrid's Rock Cakes, minus the broken teeth

    Throughout the Harry Potter books, Hagrid's cooking is something that seems best to be avoided. As described in The Sorcerer's Stone, "The rock cakes almost broke their teeth, but Harry and Ron pretended to be enjoying them." On the contrary, a classic Rock Cake has a consistency somewhat similar to a scone with a crumbly, rock-like outer and a soft, dense center. My version of Hagrid's Rock Cakes includes aromatic cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and orange zest and are studded with raisins and currants for a rocky appearance.

    a tin lines with a white cloth filled with rock cakes

    rock cakes in a cloth lined tin

    A World War II treat updated

    Rock cakes were introduced in Great Britain during World War II as a result of strict rationing of food. Traditional rock cakes require fewer eggs and sugar than an ordinary cake, making them a suitable replacement for more elaborate baked goods when these luxuries were sparse. Most rock cakes contain a mix of dried fruits, generally seedless raisins (sultanas), and/or currants in order to obtain their rocky shape. I've added both, but you can feel free to mix the fruit up as you see fit; Dried apricots and blueberries make a great alternative!

    What should I serve Hagrid's Rock Cakes with?

    Three bucket-sized mugs of mahogany-brown tea (like Hagrid does), of course! These Rock Cakes pair perfectly with a mug of tea or coffee for breakfast or an afternoon snack. They also make a great accompaniment to a Polyjuice Potion Smoothie for breakfast.

    a cloth lined tin with hagrid's rock cakes surrounded by three mugs of tea

    What tools do I need to make this recipe?

    • A kitchen scale -- or measuring cups (for less precise measurements)
    • Measuring spoons
    • A food processor
    • A medium mixing bowl
    • A wooden spoon -- or -- silicone spatula
    • A cookie scoop
    • A baker's half sheet
    • Parchment paper

    Are you looking to upgrade to your cooking tools or replenish your pantry? Check out my kitchen tools shop page and pantry staples shop page to find my must-have kitchen tools, pantry items, and other Whip & Wander favorites.

    a mug of tea next to a tin of rock cakes and a harry potter book

    three rock cakes sitting on a green harry potter book next to a mug of tea

    A note for special diets

    I've included a gluten-free option for Hagrid's Rock Cakes below for those who need it. I have only tested these Rock Cakes with Bob's Red Mill Paleo Baking Flour that contains a mix of almond flour, arrowroot starch, organic coconut flour, and tapioca flour. As there is a wide range of differences between gluten-free flour blends, I cannot speak to the results you might get from another gluten-free flour blend.

    If you'd like to make gluten-free rock cakes that are also refined sugar-free, I've had good results swapping the recommended ½ cup (100 g) sugar for 4 tablespoon clover honey. However, this honey swap is not as successful for the regular (non-gluten-free) version as the honey ratio does not add enough sweetness to balance the all-purpose flour.

    a white cloth lined tin filled with Hagrid's Rock Cakes

    a brown plate with Hagrid's Rock Cakes on top

    LOOKING FOR MORE HARRY POTTER-INSPIRED RECIPES?

    You’re in luck! You can find all my Harry Potter-inspired recipes and other magical content linked HERE.

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    three rock cakes sitting on a harry potter book next to a cup of tea

    Hagrid's Paleo Rock Cakes

    ★★★★★ 5 from 33 reviews
    • Author: Whip & Wander
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20 minutes
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 18 cakes 1x
    • Category: Breads, Butters, and Jams, Breakfast & Brunch
    • Cuisine: British
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Throughout the Harry Potter books, Hagrid's cooking is something that seems best to be avoided. As described in The Sorcerer's Stone, "The rock cakes almost broke their teeth, but Harry and Ron pretended to be enjoying them." On the contrary, a classic Rock Cake has a consistency somewhat similar to a scone with a crumbly, rock-like outer and a soft, dense center. My version of Hagrid's Rock Cakes include aromatic cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and orange zest and are studded with raisins and currants for a rocky appearance.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 240 g (about 2 cups) all-purpose flour (may swap for 2 cups Bob's Red Mill Paleo Baking Flour if gluten-free)
    • 100 g (about ½ cup) granulated sugar (*see notes below for notes on using honey)
    • 1 tbsp baking powder
    • Zest of 1 orange (about 1 tbsp)
    • ½ tsp cinnamon
    • ½ tsp nutmeg
    • ⅛ tsp cloves
    • 4 oz (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, sliced into chunks
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 tsp vanilla
    • 54 g (about ⅓ cup) seedless raisins
    • 54 g (about ⅓ cup) dried currants

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and reserve to the side.
    2. Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, orange zest, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves in a food processor.
    3. Add cold butter to dry mixture and pulse for 30 seconds to break the butter up into smaller chunks.
    4. Add eggs and vanilla and pulse until just combined. The mixture should look somewhat gravelly.
    5. Carefully remove the blade from the food processor and add dried fruit to the dough. Mix by hand with a wooden spoon. You can also turn the dough out into a mixing bowl to mix if your prefer.
    6. Spoon out dough mixture in uneven mounds, about 2 tablespoon per mound. Remember that they are supposed to look like knobbly rocks so there's no need to roll the dough into perfect balls.
    7. Bake for 20 minutes or until tops are golden. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before handling.

    Notes

    Nutritional information on Whip & Wander is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.

    12/15/21 This recipe was updated and may no longer fit specified dietary preferences from previous versions of this post.

    For gluten-free diets: I've included a gluten-free option for Hagrid's Rock Cakes below for those who need it. I have only tested these Rock Cakes with Bob's Red Mill Paleo Baking Flour that contains a mix of almond flour, arrowroot starch, organic coconut flour, and tapioca flour. As there is a wide range of differences between gluten-free flour blends, I cannot speak to the results you might get from another gluten-free flour blend.

    A note on honey: If you'd like to make gluten-free rock cakes that are also refined sugar-free, I've had good results swapping the recommended ½ cup (100 g) sugar for 4 tablespoon clover honey. However, this honey swap is not as successful for the regular (non-gluten-free) version as the honey ratio does not add enough sweetness to balance the all-purpose flour.


    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 rock cake
    • Calories: 90
    • Sugar: 6 g
    • Sodium: 12 mg
    • Fat: 4 g
    • Saturated Fat: 2 g
    • Carbohydrates: 13 g
    • Protein: 2 g
    • Cholesterol: 22 mg

    Keywords: raisins, currants

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @whipandwander on Instagram and hashtag it #whipandwander

    Related

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mark says

      October 12, 2019 at 12:48 pm

      I just made these - absolutely perfect! Certainly not rock-like / had just the right sweetness and spices for my liking.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Natalie says

      November 05, 2018 at 1:08 pm

      These cookies are such a fun and they sound so flavorful and tasty. I love orange flavored cookies. You've added my favorite currants also. Soo yummy! Can't wait to make this.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Catherine says

      November 04, 2018 at 8:05 pm

      What a fun treat to make for the holidays and I know the little one would love it as well! Such a fun post to read.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Melissa says

      November 04, 2018 at 6:49 pm

      Oh I love how you included the history of these little cookies, it always makes it more special to know the "why" behind something. I will have to add these to my baking list so I can see for myself how tasty they are 🙂

      Reply
    5. Lauren Vavala says

      November 04, 2018 at 4:05 pm

      How fun to make treats to go along with a story! I have no idea who Hagrid or his.her rock cakes, but they do sound delicious! I'll have to show these to my son - I think he'll love them and this whole idea!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. April says

      November 04, 2018 at 1:08 pm

      Absolutely loving these! And the kids... they will be amazed! They are always "hungry enough - even for Hagrid's cooking" so this recipe is perfect! Thank you.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Marisa Franca says

      November 04, 2018 at 11:54 am

      The rock cakes look delicious! And this is such a special treat for all of the Harry Potter lovers. Our older grandsons really got into the books and movies. I'll have to make them some.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    8. Karyl Henry says

      November 04, 2018 at 9:59 am

      These look so good! My mom makes scones all the time, but usually makes the full-sized ones. I'll have to share this recipe with her so she can make it

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    9. Noel Lizotte says

      November 04, 2018 at 7:03 am

      I'm sure kids would love testing the concept of whether or not their teeth will break off while eating these!
      I'm pretty sure my kids would tease me mercilessly, acting as if they lost every last tooth!
      regardless how soft they were.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    10. Gloria says

      November 04, 2018 at 7:01 am

      I know a few Harry Potter fans that would LOVE these. The look easy enough for the kids to get involved with too.

      Reply
    11. Dan Zehr says

      November 04, 2018 at 6:04 am

      Great snack for my son. He is a fan of Harry Potter. You make it so easy. I want to try to cook it. Sounds tasty.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    12. Mahy Elamin says

      November 04, 2018 at 5:05 am

      My kids are delighted with Harry Potter. I'm sure they will exactly like your recipe. It's so easy and tasty.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    13. Claudia Lamascolo says

      November 03, 2018 at 2:17 pm

      these are a very nice twist on what ever they would eat in that movie. Sounds like you must be a huge fan of this .

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    14. Veena Azmanov says

      November 03, 2018 at 2:15 pm

      This looks like so much fun. We have watched all the Harry Potter movies because my kids are huge fans. They will love these. Looks so simple and easy too

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    15. Mary Bostow says

      July 24, 2018 at 12:49 pm

      I love the history behind these cookies, it's so interesting.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    16. Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says

      July 22, 2018 at 10:03 pm

      I love that you created a Harry Potter inspired cookie recipe! Extra love that fact that it won't result in broken teeth. 😉 Can't wait to give these a try!

      Reply
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