Rock cookies recipe, are a timeless treat loved for their rustic appearance and delightful flavor. These crumbly cookies, lightly sweetened and flavored with warm earthy spices, raisins, and walnuts strike the perfect balance between hearty and indulgent.
Their charming, “rocky” texture is a nod to their name, but don’t be fooled—they’re soft and irresistible with every bite! You can also try them with almonds and cranberries.
I grew up eating those cookies, they're one of my favorites, as they're so easy to make and yet delicious. My mom always made and I continue to make it as well. These cookies are so simple to prepare!
This recipe is much easier than most because there’s no need to shape each cookie individually, saving you time without sacrificing flavor.
That’s why they’re called rock cookies—they’re perfect in their imperfection, resembling little rocks with their rustic look. All you need to do is simply scoop the dough with a spoon and drop it onto a baking sheet. This quick and easy step takes just about 20 minutes to prepare before baking!
For other cookies try ghraybeh, or vegan options anise date cookies, za'atar cookies. And for Christmas try my gingerbread cookies.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe?
- These cookies come together with minimal effort, making them perfect for a last-minute treat.
- Their rustic, homemade charm and nostalgic flavor make them a cozy snack for any occasion.
- You can swap out raisins for chocolate chips, nuts, or other dried fruits to suit your taste.
- A delightful combination of crumbly edges and a soft, tender center.
- Made with pantry staples like flour, butter, and raisins, they feel simple yet satisfying.
- These cookies are great with tea or coffee, as a lunchbox treat, or even as an on-the-go snack.
- Their lightly sweet, spiced flavor appeals to kids and adults alike.
- They carry the essence of traditional baked goods, connecting you to generations of simple, homemade delights.
Equipment
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- Large Bowl - For mixing the flour, water, and yeast mixture to make the dough.
- Baking Sheets - For baking cookies.
Ingredients
- All-purpose Flour - Provides the structure of the cake.
- Spices: Cinamon; Nutmeg; and Clove - The spices give the cookies an earthy, sweet, nutty flavor.
- Unsalted Butter - Provides richness to the cookies.
- Baking Powder - Helps the cookies to rise.
- Medium-Sized Eggs (room temperature): Using room temperature eggs helps bind the ingredients together and also adds moisture to the dough, keeping the cookies tender and preventing them from becoming too dry.
- Milk - Helps bind the dough together, you can use water instead.
- Vanilla - It adds extra flavor to baked goods.
- Golden Raisins - Or any other type can work. Raisins Bring natural sweetness and add a soft chewy texture.
- Walnuts - Provides a nutty crunchy texture to the cake.
Instructions
Full ingredients, measurements, and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1 | Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and baking powder. Stir in the raisins and walnuts.
Step 2 | Add wet ingredients: Pour in the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. With your hand mix thoroughly. Gradually add water or milk while mixing, until the mixture forms a sticky dough.
Step 3 | Scoop the cookies: Using a tablespoon, scoop out small portions of the dough and place them as rounded shapes onto a lightly greased baking sheet.
Step 4 | Continue until the baking sheet is full, spacing the cookies slightly apart.
Step 5 | Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown.
Cool and store: Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing.
Storage and Expert Tips
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing them. You can keep them in an airtight container for up to one week or freeze them in a zip-top bag for up to three months.
- If using large raisins give them a rough chop.
- Roughly chop the walnuts before adding them to the mixture.
- If you like the cookies to be a bit crunchy bake them for an extra 3-5 minutes.
- The purpose of using milk or water is to help bring the dough together. Add it gradually, adjusting the amount as needed until you achieve a sticky, workable dough.
Variations and Substitutions
- You can use dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots.
- You can use pecans or almonds.
- You can use dark raisins or any other type.
- To mix the dough you can use tap water instead of milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Replace 1 egg with ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce.
OR Mix 1 tablespoon chia seeds with 2.5 tablespoons water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until gel-like.
Yes! Use plant-based butter, a flax egg, and non-dairy milk to create a vegan version of these cookies.
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More Delicious Cookies
Rock Cookies with Walnuts and Raisins – بسكوت الصخرة
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 35-40 1x
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
Description
Rock cookies recipe, are a timeless treat loved for their rustic appearance and delightful flavor. These crumbly cookies, lightly sweetened and flavored with warm earthy spices, raisins, and walnuts strike the perfect balance between hearty and indulgent.
Their charming, “rocky” texture is a nod to their name, but don’t be fooled—they’re soft and irresistible with every bite! You can also try them with almonds and cranberries.
Ingredients
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup of sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground clove
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2-5 tablespoons of water or milk (add gradually and adjust if needed)
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 370°F (190°C).
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and baking powder.
- Stir in the raisins and chopped walnuts.
- Add wet ingredients: Pour in the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- With your hand mix thoroughly, gradually add milk while mixing, until the mixture forms a sticky dough.
- Scoop the cookies: Using a tablespoon, scoop out small portions of the dough and place them as rounded shapes onto a lightly greased baking sheet.
- Continue until the baking sheet is full, spacing the cookies slightly apart.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown.
Notes
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing them. You can keep them in an airtight container for up to one week or freeze them in a zip-top bag for up to three months.
- If using large raisins give them a rough chop.
- Roughly chop the walnuts before adding them to the mixture.
- If you like the cookies to be a bit crunchy bake them for an extra 3-5 minutes.
- The purpose of using milk or water is to help bring the dough together. Add it gradually, adjusting the amount as needed until you achieve a sticky, workable dough.
Mike R says
My mother made rock cookies for Christmas and they were always a big hit and unique amongst the Christmas cookie typical variety. She especially enjoyed our love of this cookie of all the many types of cookies she made. We were told it was a name made up of her own. She passed away several years ago and we wanted to keep up the tradition of making these cookies in her spirit. I’m happy to learn of this recipe and pleasantly surprised that it is a tradition of Palestinians. We now make these delicious cookies in fond memory of my mother, and sharing a Palestinian tradition makes them even more precious.
Wafa Shami says
Hi Mike, I'm so happy to hear this, thanks for sharing and may your mother's memory be eternal.
Lisa says
I love how easy these cookies are to make and so flavorful. They turned out so good. Thank you so much for sharing your mother's recipe.
Wafa Shami says
Hi Lisa, thank you for the review, glad to her that.