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My need to someday visit Australia has gotten under my skin, nestled itself into my taste buds and, apparently, nose-dived into my flour container.

Where it proceeded to raise hell in a sponge cake/strawberry filling/coconut/chocolate mess kind of way.

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And by mess…I obviously mean heaven. Obviously. (See boyfriend, this explains a lot about my cleaning habits – or lack thereof – now, doesn’t it?)

I mean, look at these.

There is a lot of mystery surrounding the origins of the lamington.  It’s obvious they were made for a Lord Lamington (who hated them, by the way) but was it done in a purposeful, intentioned kind of way or was it a “honey-I-dropped-the-sponge-cake-in-a-vat-of-chocolate-and-coconut” mishap situation.  The world may never know.

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Adding to this intrigue is the wonder of how quickly they will disappear after you make them.  I swear I made 24 of these guys, left three at home for keeps and brought the rest into lab meeting.

And then poof! Gone. All of them. Within what seems like minutes.

I can account for one and a half of them because my boss (shamefacedly) admitted to going back for seconds but reassured me that he’d only had half the second time around. And then maybe another quarter. Or five.  It’s totally unclear.

All I know is that people were coming up to me all day telling me how awesome these were, so now I feel compelled to tell you.  These are awesome.  Make them.  Maybe for Easter or maybe just because the middle of your day needs some sponge cake/strawberry jam/chocolate/coconut mess everywhere.  I won’t judge.

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One year ago…Sweet Potato Spinach Pesto Lasagna Rolls
Two years ago…Greek Baked Beans
Three years ago…Strawberry Balsamic Pesto Orzotto

Lamingtons
Makes 24, adapted from Martha Stewart

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 2/3 cup cake flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2/3 cup strawberry jam
  • 1 lb shredded sweetened coconut

For the chocolate icing: 

  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 8 cups confectioner’s sugar
  • 1 cup cocoa powder, sifted

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325. Grease two 9×13-inch baking pans either with a baking spray or butter and flour. Line with parchment and grease again.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until creamy, about 3 minutes.  Add in the vanilla and eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
  3. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the batter in three increments, alternating with the milk. Stir until just combined.
  4. Divide the batter between the prepared pans. Bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool for five minutes on a wire rack and then remove from pan. Allow to cool completely.
  5. Spread one of the cooled cakes with the jam. Place the second cake on top and trim any overhanging edges using a serrated knife.
  6. Cut cakes into 24 squares.
  7. Place the coconut in a medium bowl and set aside. To make the icing, bring the milk and butter to a simmer over medium heat. Pour it into a bowl and mix in the vanilla, confectioner’s sugar, and cocoa powder. Stir until combined.
  8. Place the bowl of chocolate icing over a saucepan filled with 2 inches of gently simmering water. Place a jam-filled cake square in the bowl of chocolate icing and, using two forks, cover it completely with the icing.
  9. Allow the excess icing to drip off and then dredge the square in the coconut. Transfer to a wire rack to set for at least 15 minutes. Continue until all squares have been coated.

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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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66 Responses to Lamingtons

  1. Please tell me there is a typo, Joanne. 8 cups of sugar in the icing?! Oh my! 🙂

  2. Lamingtons are on my bucket list! Wow, now I just have to get around to making them. Yours are beautiful!

  3. Simply Life says:

    Oh I would definitely be part of the problem that made these disappear in seconds 🙂

  4. I’ve never even heard of lamingtons. What a sheltered life I’ve been living! These looks great!

  5. I have never heard of these, but I am so glad you’ve introduced them to us! Fabulous looking treats!!!!!

  6. You know how I feel about coconut but I still love you. I love the idea of chocolate covered sponge cake in the form of a cookie.

  7. Barbara says:

    I’ve heard about these, but never made them OR tasted them. After reading the recipe, no wonder they disappeared!

  8. Beth says:

    They sound delicious, and only reinforce my need to travel to Australia. (Of course, I could make these myself at home. And probably will.)

  9. Amy says:

    Want. Need. Now. Like 20. Please.

  10. ahhh yes! the bite sized nuggets that will almost guarantee you will eat them all simply because of their size.
    I could down about 12 of these with my hot espresso!

  11. What fantastic pictures!! they look SOOOO delicious!
    Mary x

  12. Foodycat says:

    The only quibble I have from an authenticity point of view is that it shouldn’t be sweetened coconut, it really needs to be normal desiccated. Angel Flake would be much tastier (lovely and moist) but you can’t get it in Oz!

  13. These are on the cover of The Craft of Baking, a cookbook I take out often… and every time I see them I swear I’m going to make them, but I still haven’t. I love the strawberry jam in yours! These would actually be really good for Easter.

  14. Ashley says:

    I’ve never heard of these before, and they look fabulous!

  15. Mary Younkin says:

    I would LOVE to be sitting down with a couple of these this morning! The strawberry jam sounds like an awesome addition as well.

  16. I’d never heard of lamingtons before this post but now that I know, there is no going back. I NEED THESE.

  17. Those look GOOD! Never heard of Lamington’s before but now I am intrigued. I also really want to visit Austrailia!

  18. Colynn O says:

    🙂 I’m going to have to veganize these. Yum.

  19. Monet says:

    I have never heard of these either but my goodness, they look good! Thank you for sharing such a unique and beautiful dessert. I wish I had some of these to go with my decaf coffee. Have a beautiful weekend!

  20. They sound delicious (apart from looking delicious of course!!) . This is the first time I’m hearing about these and i love the historical connection.I’m learning you see 🙂

  21. Tammy says:

    WOW. OMG!!!! You are seriously killing me here…death by lamingtons is the best way to go. These look and sounds insanely delicious, Joanne! And as usual fantastic photography 😀

    xoxo,
    Tammy<3

  22. these look SO good! you can never go wrong with strawberry, coconut and chocolate… 🙂

  23. sandra says:

    I am not surprised that these were eaten up in a second. They look awesome and irresistible. I think I might waive my sugar ban yet again and make these. Darn it, Joanne!

  24. Dining Alone says:

    These look tasty and I love your Corelle plate!!

  25. Pam says:

    Australia is on my bucket list and now so are these little beauties. They look amazing.

  26. This is such a cute write up for a fun little treat!

  27. Abby says:

    All I know is Lord Lamington is crazzzy for not liking this! These look awesome, and if I were king I’d have vats of chocolate hanging around the castle too 🙂

  28. Karen says:

    I could make quick work of these, so they’re probably not going to get baked… haha!

  29. Debbie says:

    These are definitely a piece of heaven. I have been really trying to cut down on sweets lately and just indulge every once in a while. These are my once in a while!!!!

  30. These look sensational, Joanne! I love itty bitty coconut desserts and I’d love to try these. Great recipe!

  31. Claudia says:

    The mess looks to be definitely worth it! I’m going to do them for my Easter basket. 🙂

  32. I could totally see why these would disappear quickly! And perhaps the Lord Lamington was a tad crazy 😉

  33. You are my hero for making these and you’ve reminded me that I need to add these to my Pinterest recipe bucket list board. I’ve wnted to make them for so long b/c they sound (and look) so good! Yours are just perfect.

  34. That Girl says:

    So messy, but so good looking!

  35. Betty says:

    Ooo…I really want to go to Australia. Making these is probably more realistic though. These little nuggets of goodness look like something I need. 🙂

  36. Yours look way better than any commercial ones I’ve ever seen!

  37. Kari says:

    Joanne, I really am loving this Australian vibe thing 🙂 These look completely authentic!

  38. Lynn says:

    Love the name Lamingtons. 🙂 They look (and sound) wonderful.

  39. Anonymous says:

    They’re usually a lot bigger and sometimes filled with jam and cream (sandwiched between the sponge), or otherwise just the sponge, chocolate icing and (desiccated) coconut. A staple Aussie sweet treat you’ll find at most bakeries. Small squares or “fingers” are perfect for morning or afternoon tea.

  40. I never knew what a lamington was, but keep hearing them being mentioned. They look SOOO good! I will def be marking these down as something to make soon 🙂

  41. Mary says:

    You’ve done the impossible by making a dessert I normally do not care for look good enough to eat. Nicely done. I hope yourweekend is off to a great start. Blessings…Mary

  42. I’ve heard of lamingtons but haven’t tried them myself! It definitely sounds like something I would love and eat multiples of hehe

  43. Pam says:

    I can see why they were gone in a poof! The look fabulous. I’ve never heard of them but I want to make them!

  44. I would have gone back for seconds too 🙂 Beautiful little cakes and your lab mates must love you!

  45. I’ve never heard of lamingtons but they look like little mini donuts so they must be good! Now you have to learn to make tim tams 🙂

  46. I have decided that you are leading to our delinquency with your delicious looking little bites.

  47. I have to confess I’ve never heard of lamingtons but oh my word do they ever look good!!! This combination of flavors, I need it asap.

    Sorry to have missed you today, I was oh so looking forward to it. But I’ll see you in May in FL, right? (if not sooner in NYC…)

  48. Sippity Sup says:

    It took me so long to scroll down to the end of the comments I forgot what I was going to say! GREG

  49. Kim says:

    Yes, I can totally tell that this would be awesome. Fluffy little chocolately and coconut bites of heaven.

  50. Candace says:

    I have never heard of these. They look amazing!

  51. Saguna says:

    I have always envied the Australians their gorgeous, rather posh twinkies… Regardless of whether the 3 second rule was invoked during their original creation. 🙂 Going to make these next time I have chocolate in the apartment for long enough to melt it down.

  52. Cathleen says:

    How have I not heard about or seen these before?? I have GOT to make these. Some of my favorite ingredients in one cute dessert, I love it!

  53. Funny, I was looking for a dessert for Easter Sunday…sold!

  54. Annie Patz says:

    I have never heard of these before but they look delicious! You bringing up Australia makes me think of vegemite sandwiches… I have always wanted to know what those were like haha.

  55. I don’t think I’ve ever had a lamington before but you totally convinced me on these! I need to make these stat!

  56. Von says:

    Yes! Visit Australia one day!! haha…..
    I love lamingtons too- especially how they’re actually a lot easier to make than they seem (although a bit messy)! I also love how you made yours small so it has a higher chocolate/coconut to cake ratio 😀 I usually make mine in huge batches because it’s so true- they disappear so quickly!

  57. ha, i didn’t even know what a lamington was! and i’ve never had a tim tam… i’ve got a lot of work to do 🙂

  58. I’ve never even heard of Lamington’s! They look amazing. Where have they been my whole life?

  59. grace says:

    i’ve never made lamingtons, but i know i’d love them. australian in origin and covered in coconut? no question.

  60. Lora says:

    I’ve never made Lamingtons. These look amazing! AND inspiring.

  61. Reeni Pisano says:

    I definitely need these in my life! I can see why they disappeared so quickly! They are completely irresistible and look so easy to pop in your mouth. Maybe too easy.

  62. Natalie says:

    these are majorly intriguing me..and I think the only way to solve this is to make them and find out if they’re as amazing as I’m picturing them to be!

  63. Johanna GGG says:

    indeed lamingtons are proof you want to go to australia because we eat them every day here – well perhaps not – and just remember that home made is best and not comparable with the dry packets of lamingtons in the supermarket (actually I like the supermarket ones – nostalgia – but the just are nothing like fresh home made)

  64. These have been on my to-bake list for so long. They look. So. Good.

  65. Laura says:

    My husband would love these. And as tasty as I am sure they are, I love the idea that someone purposefully messed up baking for Lord Lamington. What a hoot…

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