Lamingtons
Australia's beloved national cake — soft vanilla sponge squares dipped in dark chocolate icing and rolled in desiccated coconut. Simple, iconic, irresistible.
About This Recipe
Lamingtons are Australia's beloved national cake — squares of vanilla sponge dipped in chocolate icing and rolled in desiccated coconut, named after Lord Lamington, a former Governor of Queensland. They appear at school fetes, morning teas, and national celebrations, and on 21 July — National Lamington Day — Australians celebrate with great enthusiasm.
Ingredients
Serves 16
- 200 gbutter(softened)
- 200 gcaster sugar
- 4eggs
- 1 tspvanilla extract
- 250 gself-raising flour
- 60 mlmilk
- 400 gicing sugar(for chocolate icing)
- 80 gcocoa powder
- 80 mlboiling water
- 200 gdesiccated coconut
Instructions
- 1
Bake sponge
Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Fold in flour and milk. Bake in a greased 20×30 cm tin at 180 °C for 25 min. Cool completely, then freeze 1 hour for easier handling.
- 2
Make icing
Sift icing sugar and cocoa together. Add boiling water, stir to a smooth, pourable icing.
- 3
Cut and dip
Cut sponge into 16 squares. Dip each in chocolate icing using forks, letting excess drip off.
- 4
Coat in coconut
Roll dipped squares in desiccated coconut. Place on a wire rack to set.
Pro Tips
- →
Work quickly when dipping — the icing sets fast and needs to be on the warm side to flow evenly.
Variations
- •
Fill with whipped cream and jam for a special version
- •
Use raspberry icing instead of chocolate
- •
Add a layer of strawberry jam between sponge layers
Storage
Store at room temperature up to 3 days. The coconut coating helps keep the cake moist.
History & Origin
Lamingtons were allegedly created by accident when Lord Lamington's cook dipped a leftover sponge cake in chocolate sauce and coconut to avoid waste. They first appeared in print in 1900 and have been a fixture of Australian life ever since.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why freeze the sponge first?
A frozen sponge is firmer and doesn't crumble when dipped in the icing — easier to handle.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving · 16 servings total
Time Summary
Have Questions?
Ask our AI cooking assistant anything about this recipe — substitutions, techniques, scaling.
Chat with AI Chef →More Australian Recipes
Community
Join the conversation
Sign in to leave a comment and save your favourite recipes