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The dessert, From around the world

Lamingtons

Lamingtons are soft sponge cake cubes coated in chocolate icing and rolled in coconut, an Australian classic that serves 6. They take 45 minutes of active work spread over two days, with the sponge made the day before and the icing done the same day. The recipe is easy, costs €0.90 per person, and the trick to getting it right is letting the sponge rest in the fridge so it cuts cleanly without crumbling.

Set sail for Australia with lamingtons, soft little cake cubes dunked in chocolate and rolled in coconut.

Lamingtons
For
6 people
Work
45 min
Total time
2 h 30
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€0.90
Calories per person
330 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Under their coat of chocolate and shredded coconut, lamingtons hide a tender, almost airy sponge cake thanks to eggs whisked at length. The contrast between the crunch of the coconut, the soft icing, and the fluffy cake is what makes them so appealing. It's a dessert that breaks from the usual lineup and always catches people pleasantly off guard.

These bite sized individual cubes work perfectly for a birthday tea, a dinner with friends, or a casual buffet where everyone grabs one with their fingers. Kids love them just as much as adults do, and the two step process, sponge the day before, icing the same day, makes this an easy dessert when you're hosting without wanting to spend your whole day in the kitchen.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 3 steps, 1 h 05
  2. The same day 2 steps, 20 min
  3. Before the guests arrive Nothing to do
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

The day before, you whisk, bake, and let the sponge rest in the fridge, the longest step but the least hands on. The same day, you cut the cubes, warm up the icing, dip and roll each cube in coconut in about twenty minutes. Right before guests arrive, let the lamingtons dry on a rack, then arrange them on a plate when it's time to serve.

The ingredients

6 people

Dairy

  • Eggs 4
  • Butter 40 g
  • Milk 10 cl

Pantry

  • Sugaroften in the pantry 120 g
  • Flouroften in the pantry 120 g
  • Baking powderoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Powdered sugaroften in the pantry 250 g
  • Unsweetened cocoa powderoften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Shredded coconutoften in the pantry 150 g
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Whisk the eggs and sugar with a mixer for ten minutes until the mixture triples in volume, then gently fold in the flour, baking powder, and melted butter. 10 min

    The batter should fall off the whisk in a ribbon that forms a figure eight and stays visible for a few seconds, only then should you stop.

  2. Pour the batter into a buttered 20 cm square pan and bake at 180°C, then let cool on a wire rack. 25 min

    Poke the center with a knife, it should come out clean, an overbaked cake makes for dry, hard cubes.

  3. Wrap the sponge cake in plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge overnight. 30 min

    Pop it in the freezer for 30 minutes before cutting, the cubes will come out perfectly clean edged.

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Cut the sponge cake into 12 cubes, make the icing by heating the milk with the powdered sugar, cocoa, and a pinch of salt until smooth and pourable.

    Keep the icing warm over a double boiler, if it gets too cold it thickens and turns lumpy.

  2. Pierce each cube with a fork, dip it in the icing, let it drain, then immediately roll it in the shredded coconut. 20 min

    Work with two forks, one for dipping and one for rolling, and your fingers stay clean.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Let the lamingtons dry on a wire rack, then arrange them on a serving plate.

    They keep very well at room temperature, don't refrigerate them, the icing would turn sticky.

Our tips to get it right

  • Use a good quality unsweetened cocoa powder, it gives the icing a deeper color and a stronger flavor without excess bitterness.
  • Spread the coconut in a shallow bowl rather than a flat plate, it sticks better to every side of the cube.
  • If the icing sets too fast, stir in a tablespoon of hot milk, it'll turn pourable again within seconds.

The variations

  • Swap the cocoa icing for warmed apricot jam for a fruity glaze, closer to the traditional lamington.
  • Fold a bit of fine shredded coconut into the batter itself to bring coconut flavor right into the cake.
  • For a quick kid friendly version, use a store bought sponge cake and focus your time on dipping and rolling in coconut.

What to serve it with

  • Black coffee or black tea
  • A fresh seasonal fruit salad
  • A glass of cold milk for kids

Storage

Lamingtons keep for two to three days at room temperature, under a cake dome or in a sealed container, skip the fridge since the cold makes the icing turn sticky. The plain sponge can be frozen wrapped in plastic, then thawed before cutting and icing.

Questions about this recipe

Can you swap the shredded coconut for something else?

Coconut really is what defines a lamington, but you can use toasted sliced almonds for a different take. It'll be less authentic but still just as tasty.

Why does the sponge need to rest before cutting?

A freshly baked sponge is fragile and crumbles under a knife. Resting overnight firms it up slightly so it cuts into clean cubes without falling apart in the icing.

How do you plate lamingtons to look polished?

Line the cubes up with space between them on a rectangular platter, or stack them in a pyramid on a round plate. A sprig of mint on the side is enough to make it look put together.

Are lamingtons good for kids?

Yes, it's a soft, sweet dessert kids love eating with their fingers. They can even help with rolling the cubes in coconut, a fun and safe step for little hands.

Can lamingtons be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 45 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 3 steps, the same day, 2 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make lamingtons?

Allow 2 h 30 in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 45 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "easy".

How many calories are in lamingtons?

About 330 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does lamingtons cost?

About €0.90 per person, that's €5.40 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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