Dave, drummer with the legendary Dave Clark Five, says, ‘I’ve known friends whose loved ones suffered from this sad illness and realise how difficult it is to cope with. I feel it’s our responsibility to help those affected by dementia. This recipe for rock cakes is one my mum used to make – I realise how lucky I was with my parents, so my heart goes out to those families in need.’
Dave Clarke's rock cakes
Serves 8
INGREDIENTS
225g (8oz) self-raising flour
1tsp mixed spice
115g (4oz) hard margarine, chilled and diced
115g (4oz) demerara sugar, plus 3tbsp for sprinkling
85g (3oz) raisins
30g (1oz) currants
1 medium egg, lightly beaten
3-4tbsp milk
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas 4. Lightly butter 2 baking sheets. Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl and stir in the mixed spice. Rub the margarine into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar, raisins and currants. Make a well in the centre of the mixture and pour in the beaten egg. Add 3tbsp milk and stir with a fork to bring the mixture together to a soft, sticky dough (adding the extra tablespoon of milk if necessary). Form the mixture into 8 roughly circular shapes on the baking trays, sprinkle with the remaining sugar and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.