Lamingtons are an iconic Australian treat, often served on Australia Day but enjoyed throughout the year. These delicious sponge cake squares are coated in a rich chocolate icing and rolled in shredded coconut, making them both crunchy and moist. With a light, fluffy texture and a hint of nostalgia, lamingtons are a favorite at bake sales, school events, or simply as a delightful snack.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the Cake:

  • 185 g (1 ¼ cup) plain flour (all-purpose flour)

  • 2 tsp baking powder

  • 40 g (⅓ cup) cornflour (cornstarch)

  • 200 g (2 sticks minus 1 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened

  • 230 g (1 cup + 1 tbsp) caster sugar (superfine sugar)

  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

  • 3 eggs

  • 125 ml (½ cup) full cream milk (whole milk)

• For the Chocolate Icing:

  • 500 g (3 ⅔ cup) icing sugar (powdered sugar), sifted

  • 200 g (7 oz) dark chocolate (bittersweet, 60-70% cocoa)

  • 15 g (1 tbsp) unsalted butter

  • 125 ml (½ cup) milk, plus more if needed

  • 325 g (12 oz) dessicated coconut (shredded coconut)

Directions

1. Prepare the Cake: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Butter a baking pan (about 7 x 11 x 1.5 inches) and line with greaseproof paper.

2. Make the Cake Batter: Place all cake ingredients into a large food processor and blitz until well combined. Alternatively, sift the dry ingredients and mix them with butter, sugar, eggs, and milk in a stand mixer. Once smooth and thick, pour the batter into the prepared pan.

3. Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Cool the cake for 5 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Cut the Cake: Once cooled, cut the sponge into 32 squares (or your preferred size).

5. Make the Chocolate Icing: Melt the butter and chocolate in a bain-marie or over low heat. Stir in the icing sugar and milk until you have a smooth, slightly runny mixture.

6. Assemble the Lamingtons: Dip each cake square into the chocolate icing, ensuring it’s well-coated, then roll it in shredded coconut. Place on a wire rack to set.

7. Set: Allow the lamingtons to set for 30-60 minutes before serving.

Nutrients

• Calories: 160 kcal (per piece)

• Carbohydrates: 20g

• Protein: 2g

• Fat: 9g

  • Saturated Fat: 5g

• Cholesterol: 30mg

• Sodium: 50mg

• Potassium: 45mg

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 12g

• Vitamin A: 120 IU

• Calcium: 10mg

• Iron: 1mg

The Key Ingredients: Sponge Cake, Chocolate Icing, and Shredded Coconut

Lamingtons consist of three essential components: the sponge cake, the chocolate icing, and the shredded coconut. Each of these ingredients plays a vital role in creating the perfect texture and flavor.

The sponge cake itself is made using plain flour, cornflour (cornstarch), butter, sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, and milk. This combination results in a light and airy texture that is the foundation of the lamington. The soft, moist cake provides a perfect contrast to the crunchy coconut coating, making each bite a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

The chocolate icing is another essential component of lamingtons. Made with dark chocolate, icing sugar, butter, and milk, the icing is rich and smooth, creating a glossy finish on each cake square. The dark chocolate adds depth and bitterness that balances the sweetness of the sponge and coconut, while the butter and milk ensure the icing has a creamy consistency that coats the cake perfectly.

Finally, the shredded coconut, or desiccated coconut, gives lamingtons their signature crunchy exterior. The coconut adds both texture and flavor, offering a tropical twist that complements the richness of the chocolate and the lightness of the sponge cake. The combination of these three components is what makes lamingtons so unique and beloved.

Making the Sponge Cake: Light and Fluffy

The first step in making lamingtons is to prepare the sponge cake. You can either use a food processor or a stand mixer to combine the ingredients. The dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, and cornflour—are sifted to ensure they are light and airy, which contributes to the sponge’s fluffy texture.

Once the dry ingredients are combined with the butter, sugar, eggs, and milk, you’ll end up with a smooth and thick batter. Pour the batter into a greased and lined baking pan, spreading it evenly to ensure it bakes uniformly. The sponge should bake for about 30-35 minutes at 180°C (350°F) until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake will rise slightly during baking, creating a delicate and soft texture that will be perfect once it is coated in chocolate and coconut.

Once the cake is baked, it’s essential to allow it to cool for about 5 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents it from being too soft and crumbly when cut into squares.

Making the Chocolate Icing: Rich and Smooth

While the cake cools, it’s time to make the chocolate icing. In a bain-marie (double boiler) or over low heat, melt the butter and dark chocolate together. Stir the mixture until smooth and glossy. Then, gradually add the icing sugar and milk, mixing until you have a smooth, slightly runny consistency. The icing should be just thick enough to coat the sponge without being too thick or too thin.

If you prefer more heat or intensity from the chocolate, you can always adjust the ratio of chocolate to milk to create a more intense or milder icing. The combination of the dark chocolate and milk ensures that the icing is rich, smooth, and perfectly balanced to complement the sweet and delicate sponge cake.

Assembling the Lamingtons: Dipping and Rolling

Once the cake is completely cooled, it’s time to assemble the lamingtons. Cut the sponge into even squares, with each piece around 2-3 inches in size. The size can be adjusted depending on how large or small you’d like each lamington to be.

The next step is to dip each cake square into the chocolate icing. This is done quickly and carefully, ensuring that the entire surface of each square is covered in the smooth chocolate icing. The icing should be slightly runny so that it coats the cake easily, but it should not be too thick or it will overwhelm the light texture of the sponge.

After the cake square is covered in chocolate, roll it in desiccated coconut, making sure the coconut adheres to the entire surface. The shredded coconut provides a satisfying crunch and adds a burst of flavor that perfectly balances the richness of the chocolate and the softness of the sponge.

Setting the Lamingtons: Letting the Icing Harden

Once all the lamingtons are coated in both the chocolate icing and shredded coconut, place them on a wire rack to set. Allow them to sit for about 30 to 60 minutes, or until the chocolate coating has hardened and the lamingtons are ready to serve. The time allows the coconut to bind with the icing and gives the cake a chance to firm up, ensuring the perfect texture when you bite into it.

Serving Lamingtons: A Delightful Snack or Dessert

Lamingtons can be served as a treat at any time of day. They are perfect for an afternoon snack, a light dessert, or a festive treat. Whether you’re serving them for a special occasion like Australia Day, a party, or just as a homemade snack, these cake squares are sure to delight anyone who tries them.

For extra flair, you can garnish lamingtons with additional coconut or serve them alongside a cup of tea or coffee. They also make for an excellent addition to a bake sale, picnic, or school event, where they will no doubt be a crowd favorite.

Nutritional Information

Each lamington contains approximately 160 calories, with 9 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, and 20 grams of carbohydrates. While they are not low in fat or sugar, lamingtons are a delightful indulgence that can be enjoyed in moderation. They provide 2 grams of protein per piece and are a source of vitamin A (120 IU) and a small amount of iron (1 mg), thanks to the ingredients used in the cake and the coconut.

While not a high-fiber food, lamingtons do provide a satisfying texture and taste, making them a perfect treat when you’re in the mood for something sweet and a bit nostalgic. The combination of rich chocolate, coconut, and soft sponge cake creates a delightful bite that is hard to resist.

Conclusion: A Delicious and Nostalgic Treat

Lamingtons are a beloved Australian classic that offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors in every bite. The light, fluffy sponge cake is perfectly complemented by the rich chocolate icing and the crunch of shredded coconut, creating a treat that’s both satisfying and nostalgic. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just for an afternoon snack, lamingtons are sure to impress and satisfy. Easy to make and utterly delicious, they’re a great addition to any dessert spread or casual get-together, and their simple yet decadent nature makes them perfect for any occasion.