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    Home » Baking » Cakes/Traybakes/Refrigerator bakes

    Vegan Jamaican Coconut Rock Cakes

    Published: Nov 24, 2021 · Modified: Mar 14, 2022 by Jacq · This post may contain affiliate links ·Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Vegan Jamaican coconut rock cakes or buns are an adaption from traditional British rock cakes, with the main difference being the addition of coconut.

    This post is a follow on from my main British rock cake recipe and as such all the information within the British rock cake post is relevant for this recipe so please refer to that post for recipe notes and FAQs.

    Oh and if your looking for a gluten-free rock cake please refer to the British rock cake recipe link above as an easy method for gluten-free rock cakes is also included.

    featured image for vegan Jamaican rock cakes close up, 2 plates of buns with third plate to side.

    Quick Origins Of Jamaican Rock Cakes Or Buns

    Jamaican rock cakes evolved from the British rock cakes when the recipe for rock cakes travelled with the British to Jamaica sometime during the 1600s. Although coconuts are not originally from Jamaica as Spanish settlers introduced coconut trees to Jamaica during the 16th Century.

    The addition of coconut to British rock cakes are an ingenious touch and these little delicious buns are one of my favourite ever bakes for enjoying with a cup of afternoon tea.

    How To Prepare Vegan Jamaican Coconut Rock Cakes

    • Flour, baking powder and vegan margarine in a bowl.
    • sultanas,coconut added to flour mix in bowl for vegan Jamaican coconut rock cakes.
    Sieve the flour and baking powder into a bowl.

    Add the vegan butter and using fingertips rub until the mix resembles breadcrumbs.

    Tip in the sultanas, desiccated coconut, sugar and vanilla extract.
    • coconut rock cakes ingredients mixed in bowl with silver spoon.
    • plant milk added to coconut rock cake mix and brought together into a dough in mixing bowl.
    Mix well.

    Add plant milk a tablespoon at a time until a thick, stiff dough comes together.
    • coconut rock cake dough divided into 8 pieces and placed on a baking tray.
    • vegan Jamaican coconut rock cakes baked and golden on baking tray.
    Divide the mix into 8 rocky buns.

    Sprinkle extra sugar and coconut on the top of each cake.

    Bake for 10-15 minutes.
    vegan Jamaican rock buns on wire rack cooling.
    After 5 minutes on the baking tray, either remove and cool on a wire rack or leave on the baking tray to cool.

    Or enjoy one hot from the oven!

    More Tasty Vegan Bakes:

    Jam and coconut sponge (old school style, serve with hot custard, yum.

    Old School Chocolate Sponge Pudding

    Christmas pudding (adapted world war 2 era recipe that is tasty all year round and can be prepared quickly in the microwave)

    Three ingredient Christmas cake (so delicious and ridiculously easy recipe and not just for Christmas. Perfect for a base for an Easter Simnel cake or a Mothers Day cake)

    Pumpkin spiced fruit loaf cake

    Gluten-free chocolate cake (ideal for a birthday celebration cake)

    featured image for vegan Jamaican rock cakes close up, 2 plates of buns with third plate to side.

    Vegan Jamaican Coconut Rock Cakes

    Print Recipe
    Sweet, coconutty and so moreish.
    Perfect paired with a nice cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or chilled glass of oat milk.
    Ideal for kids lunch boxes, snacks and after school treats.
    Course Afternoon tea, Party, picnic, Snack
    Cuisine British, Jamaican
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Servings 8 rocky cakes
    Calories 212
    Author Jacq

    Equipment

    • Baking tray with parchment paper if necessary.
    • Mixing bowl

    Ingredients

    • 180 grams plain flour sieved, all-purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder sieved
    • 60 grams vegan butter or vegan margarine
    • 45 grams sugar granulated, caster, demerara, soft/light brown sugar, etc, plus extra for sprinkling
    • 40 grams desiccated coconut plus extra for sprinkling
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
    • 60 grams sultanas golden raisins or use raisins/currents/dried fruit mix
    • 8 tablespoons plant milk more or less as required
    Metric - US Customary

    Instructions

    Preheat the oven to 180 Fan/ 200 Celsius/ 392 Fahrenheit/ Gas 6.

    • Prepare the baking tray with a layer of parchment paper if necessary.
    • Sieve the flour and baking powder into a bowl.
    • Rub the vegan margarine into the flour using your fingertips until the mix resembles breadcrumbs.
    • Stir through the vanilla extract, coconut, sugar and sultanas.
    • Add the plant milk a tablespoon at a time and mix, until a very thick, stiff, sticky dough is formed.
    • Divide the dough into 8 rocky blobs. A rustic looking appearance is perfect.
    • Sprinkle extra sugar and coconut over the top of each bun.
    • Bake on the middle shelf for 10-15 minutes until risen, tinged with golden hues and baked. My fan oven takes 10 minutes but other types of oven may need a few minutes extra.
    • Cool on a wire tray, chopping board or simply leave on the baking tray until room temperature,
    • Can be enjoyed warm from the oven or room temperature.

    Notes

    • Nutritional information is provided for guidance only and is not a strict calculation as ingredients vary.
    • Store Jamaican rock cakes within a covered container such as a cake tin, biscuit tin or plastic tub, an additional wrapping of kitchen foil helps preserve the rock cakes for longer. 
    • Rock cakes will keep fresh for up to 4 days if stored properly. After this staler rock cakes can be refreshed by baking in the oven for a few minutes.
    • Rock cakes can be frozen for up to 4 months, well wrapped. Remove the coverings before defrosting at room temperature.
    • Sultanas can be replaced with raisins, currants, chopped dates, chopped dried apricots, dried pineapple/papaya cubes, or a dried fruit mix.
    • A batch of coconut rock cakes are perfect for leaving out for Santa Claus/Saint Nicholas to enjoy on Christmas Eve, or whenever they traditionally visit your home to bring gifts.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 165mg | Potassium: 117mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 317IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 2mg

    More Vegan Cake, Traybake And Fridge Bake Recipes

    • Old-Fashioned Spice Applesauce Cake [vegan]
    • Vintage Chocolate Vinegar Cake
    • Old-Fashioned Coconut Buns
    • Old-Fashioned Granny Cakes

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