Coconut Rock Buns – super easy and crunchy hard exterior buns with a surprisingly light and chewy interior. Best served as snacks or breakfast with warm coffee or hot coco!
Coconut rock buns, what can I say? They remind me of the scones that we use to make in high school only these taste better and are much more tender. The ones we use to make were hard as rocks. These have a super crunchy hard exterior with a surprisingly light and chewy interior and they’re heavily flavored with nutmeg, grated orange and vanilla.
My son loves raisins so it’s no surprise that he always fights with me over these buns. I couldn’t even take pictures, the first time around; I doubled the recipe so I could have enough for the photo shoot.
Coconut rock buns also known as rock cakes are enjoyed in Caribbean particular in Jamaica, Guyana and Trinidad.
Super easy to make, they come together in no time and lends itself to countless variations with dried fruit and flavor.
They are a perfect snack. You may serve them for breakfast with milk or they’re great on their own.
Coconut Rock Buns
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour sifted
- 1-2 teaspoon grated orange
- ½ cup butter diced
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup white sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ cup raisins
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- 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
Nutrition Information:
Maimuna says
Hi imma, I would love to try this recipe, can you pls suggest something I can use in place of the Demerara sugar and must the coconut flakes be dry? As always love love your recipes and ❤️ you.
Carin says
Do you use unsweetened coconut?
imma africanbites says
Hi, Carin, I use unsweetened for this one.
Hyline dawkins says
This recipient is mouthwatering
Gcinile says
In certain African countries, we don’t have the light or dark brown soft sugar, you have and use in the USA. We instead have granulated brown, white and castor sugar, so what can I use instead of the brown sugar thanks .
ImmaculateBites says
Use castor sugar sugar.
Denecia D Furlonge says
Made these for the first time yesterday. I tripled the recipe and made 30 of them and they were a HIT!! The family has devoured them. Thanks soo much. I have been searching for a recipe for ages as all the recipes I’ve found seem to spread like cookies when I bake them.
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome!! I am so glad this was a hit with your family. I can certainly see them devouring them :)! Thanks for the feedback Denacia!
Aisha Tayub says
In the ingredients you mention half cup demerera is this within the mix or does this go on top?
ImmaculateBites says
The demerara sugar goes on top, not inside .
Melissa says
Have made this recipe many times. Did not change anything. Delicious indeed!!!
5 stars
imma africanbites says
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, Melissa. I appreciate it.
Kelsey says
I didn’t see quantity of grated orange on the ingredient list
ImmaculateBites says
Recipe updated.
gavin says
rock buns are nice and is easy to make i love them a lot
ImmaculateBites says
Me too! Gavin. I make and freeze and bake whenever the craving hits.
James says
These came out nice and brown with an amazing flavor . Thanks
Jehancancook says
I love rock buns!! We have our version in Guyana also, this looks amazing!
Rose says
In step 3, you mentioned to add chocolate. Do you mean raisins cos there’s no chocolate listed in the ingredients?
ImmaculateBites says
Good catch! Silly me must have been thinking about chocolate- updated . Thanks
Baks says
This is good. My daughter was so excited following your recipe.she said it is so easy to follow. Thank u so much for sharing.
Can u please post a cameroonian fish roll and meat pie recipe please. We will love to try it this weekend if possible. Thank you so much.
ImmaculateBites says
I already have fish roll featured here http://africanbites.com/?p=3377 and meat pie featured here http://africanbites.com/?p=3377. Let me know how you like them.
Jessica @ Jessiker Bakes says
Love it! And so everyone knows they aren’t rock hard haha. I’m Jamaican and we used to make this all the time :)!
ImmaculateBites says
Jessica, they definitely are not rock hard! Chewy and Crusty inside. Thanks for stopping by!
Sadie says
Just what I was looking for!
Thanks so much!
ImmaculateBites says
You are Welcome! Let me know how you like em!
Sadie says
They were wonderful!
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks for feed back Sadie.