andrejthechef
AustraliaDessertDessertVegetarian

Lamingtons

Squares of sponge cake, dipped in chocolate icing and rolled in desiccated coconut. The cake behind countless school and community fundraisers.

prep
40 min
cook
30 min
total
1 h 10 min
serves
12
level
medium
Lamingtons, a dish from Across Australia

Lamingtons are close to Australia's national cake, simple sponge squares dipped in a thin chocolate icing and rolled in coconut, and they are so tied to community fundraising that "Lamington Drives" are a genuine school and charity tradition of their own.

Let the sponge cool completely before you cut and dip it. A still-warm cake crumbles or squashes under the handling, where a fully cooled one holds its shape through the whole process.

Part of our 20 best Australian recipes list.

method

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (355°F) and grease and line a square cake tin, about 20cm.

  2. Beat the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, then beat in the eggs one at a time.

  3. Fold in the flour, milk and vanilla until just combined into a smooth batter.

  4. Pour into the tin and bake for 28 to 32 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean. Cool completely in the tin, then turn out.

  5. Once fully cool, cut the cake into even squares, about 5 cm each.

  6. For the icing, sift the icing sugar and cocoa into a bowl. Stir in the melted butter and enough hot water or milk to make a smooth, pourable icing, thin enough to coat but not watery.

  7. Spread the desiccated coconut on a tray. Using two forks, dip each cake square into the chocolate icing, letting the excess drip off, then roll it immediately in the coconut to coat all sides.

  8. Set the coated squares on a rack to set before serving.

chef's tips

  • A fully cooled sponge is much easier to cut into neat squares and handle during dipping than a warm one, which tends to crumble or compress.
  • Lamingtons are closely associated with community fundraisers in Australia, so much so that "Lamington Drives" are a recognized school and charity tradition in their own right.
  • Using two forks for dipping keeps your fingers out of the icing and gives you better control over coating all sides evenly.
  • The classic version is plain sponge, but a split version filled with jam and whipped cream, sometimes called a "Lamington Drive" lamington, is a well-loved variation.