Lamingtons (Australian Chocolate Coconut Sponge Squares)
In short: Squares of light butter sponge dipped in thin chocolate icing and rolled in desiccated coconut, a bake sale and morning tea favorite. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 16 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 16
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 300 kcal
Lamingtons turn up at school fêtes, bake sales, morning teas and birthday tables across Australia. A plain butter sponge is cut into squares, dipped in a thin chocolate icing and rolled in desiccated coconut. The cake is better a day old, when it is firm enough to dip without crumbling. Some bakeries split them and add jam and cream, but the plain version is the one most home bakers make.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 20 cm (8 in) square cake pan and line it with baking paper, leaving an overhang so you can lift the cake out.
- Beat the butter and sugar for 4 to 5 minutes until pale and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla.
- Fold in the flour in two batches, alternating with the milk, until just smooth. Do not overmix, or the sponge will turn tough.
- Spread the batter in the pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until golden and a skewer comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift onto a wire rack.
- Wrap the cooled cake and leave it overnight, or freeze it for 1 hour, so it firms up. Trim the edges if you like, then cut into 16 squares.
- Sift the icing sugar and cocoa into a heatproof bowl. Stir in the melted butter and hot milk until smooth and about as thick as thin paint. Set the bowl over a pan of hot water if it starts to thicken.
- Spread the coconut on a tray. Using two forks, dip each square into the icing, let the excess drip off, then roll it in the coconut.
- Set the lamingtons on a rack for about 1 hour until the icing dries. Store them in a covered container.
Tips
- Day-old cake is much easier to dip. If the sponge is fresh, freeze the squares for 30 minutes before dipping.
- For jam and cream lamingtons, split the set squares and fill with raspberry jam and whipped cream. Keep these chilled and eat within 2 days.
Questions and answers
Why do my lamingtons fall apart when I dip them?
The cake is too fresh or too soft. Leave it overnight or freeze it briefly, and use the two-fork method so the squares are never squeezed.
Can lamingtons be frozen?
Yes. Freeze finished lamingtons in a single layer, then pack them in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 1 hour.
Can I use another cake instead of a butter sponge?
Any sturdy plain cake works. Avoid very airy sponges such as angel food cake, because they crumble in the wet icing.
How long does it take to make Lamingtons (Australian Chocolate Coconut Sponge Squares)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Lamingtons (Australian Chocolate Coconut Sponge Squares)?
About 300 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 38 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 300 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 26 g |
| Sodium | 120 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
