Apricot Rock Cakes

As you may know, I have an aversion to raisins and sultanas (although I like grapes).  I'm not that keen on dried fruit much at all, but, for some reason, I do like dried apricots.  I have made and posted about apricot rock cakes before but can't remember whether I posted the recipe.  If I did, apologies, but actually, it is so nice and easy and gives such good results, it is worth posting again.  For anyone who doesn't know what they are, they are a cakey-biscuity-chewy treat (I am sure that is a very helpful description!) and of course, they have fruit in them, so could possibly be thought of as healthy (!)

Ingredients:
225g/8oz self raising flour
110g/4oz margarine
110g/4oz granulated sugar
175g/6oz dried but ready to eat apricots
1 egg
a little milk to mix
brown sugar to sprinkle on tops

Makes 18 cakes.

1. Heat oven to gas mark 7/220 degrees centigrade/435 degrees fahrenheit. Lightly grease 2 baking trays.
2. Sift flour into mixing bowl and rub in the margarine.
3. Add sugar and apricots. Make a well in the centre.
4. Beat the egg, then add to dry ingredients with a little milk, to make a stiff consistency.
5. Place the mixture in rough heaps on the baking trays, leaving a little space between them as they will spread a bit. Sprinkle on some brown sugar
6. Bake for approx 10 mins (mine take longer but I have a very old oven) until golden brown.
7. Cool on wire rack.  Once cool, test quality of rock cakes (cook's prerogative) and enjoy!

Of course, if you don't have problems with dried fruit, you can put whatever you like in the cakes; traditionally it is mixed dried fruit. Dried cranberries, dried blueberries... Chocolate chips might be a nice addition too...

More baking (and my feelings on raisins, currants and sultanas)

As it was a bit of a dull, grey, drizzly February day, I decided to cheer myself up with a bit of baking. What should it be? A sort of cakey, biscuity type of thing? Of course, rock cakes! Actually, I don't like raisins, currants or sultanas, due to the texture which I find quite unpleasant and I'm not thrilled by the taste either although I love grapes! Weird, isn't it? So, I make my own version of rock cakes using dried apricots (which I do like).
Anyone who has ventured out with me to a house or garden where scones are served will know that I will assiduously pick out all the dried fruit (and make a huge mess with crumbs) much to my companions' embarrassment. I would just like to add here that I wish these places would offer both plain and fruit scones and then this would not be an issue at all!
So, back to the rock cakes. They have done the job of cheering me up and have provided a welcome treat at tea time. The only problem is that I do like home made cakes and biscuits rather too much, so will probably have to make something else this week. Hmm...what about some flapjack?