Rock Buns

Mixed fruit and lemon rock buns, hand-shaped and baked golden | Nana's recipe, preserved on Hestia

These rustic rock buns are a tactile celebration of the kitchen, where simple ingredients like mixed fruit and lemon essence come together in a hearty, stiff dough. In the Hestia tradition, preparing this recipe is an invitation to a ritual of presence, grounding you in the hands-on act of rubbing margarine into flour and hand-shaping each bun. As they bake to a golden finish, they fill the home with warmth and offer a quiet, nourishing pause in the domestic rhythm of your day 

Method

1. Rub the margarine into the self-raising flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

2. Stir in the sugar and mixed fruit until evenly distributed.

3. Add the lemon essence and the eggs. Gradually pour in the milk—using slightly less than the full 1/4 cup—mixing until the ingredients come together to form a stiff dough.

4. Hand-shape the dough into rustic buns and place them on a greased tray or onto baking paper.

5. Bake for 16 minutes at 200°C until golden and firm.

Ritual of Presence

• The Tactile Start: Before you begin rubbing the margarine into the flour, take a moment to notice the cool weight of the ingredients. As your fingers work the mixture into fine breadcrumbs, feel the shifting textures—let this repetitive, manual act root you in the present moment.

• The Forming of the Buns: As you add the liquid to create a stiff dough, notice the resistance and the weight of the mixture. Shape each bun slowly, paying attention to how the dough responds to your hands. Let the act of rolling and folding become a quiet, intentional pause in your day.

• The Warmth of the Bake: Once the trays are in the oven, take a deep breath. As the scent of baking fruit and lemon essence begins to fill the kitchen, allow the growing warmth to serve as a reminder of care and continuity. Use this time to step away from the noise of the day and simply be present in your space.

• The First Bite: When the buns are cool enough to enjoy, take a moment of quiet before your first bite. Reflect on how these small, repeated acts of baking carry a legacy of care for your family.