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4.72 from 25 ratings
These Australian Lamingtons are a classic for a reason. Light fluffy squares of sponge cake, dipped in a chocolate glaze then coconut. Easy and delicious, this recipe is an Aussie favourite.
by Marie Roffey —Published Jan 23, 2020 (Updated Jan 21, 2024)
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With Australia Day coming up, I decided it was time to add another Aussie classic to the collection – classic Australian Lamingtons. Aussies far and wide love these little treats and I’ll show you why.
If you’d like a twist on lamingtons try these Rose Strawberry Lamington or my Lamington Cupcakes. This Coconut Chocolate Fudge Slice tastes like lamington in brownie form!
We start with a simple fluffy and buttery, no-fuss sponge cake. It gets cut up into squares and each one is then coated in a one-bowl chocolate glaze then finally rolled in desiccated coconut.
Lamingtons are a bunch of simply delicious flavours that were meant to be together and they’re so fun to make.
You should definitely try these fairy bread lamingtons too and you’ll love this jam and coconut sponge.
Ingredients for lamingtons
Just a few pantry staples – flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, vanilla – and a few fresh ingredients – butter, milk and eggs – and you have all you need to get baking.
How to make lamingtons
Lamingtons start with a butter sponge cake. It’s easy to make, its fluffy and light and totally addictive just on it’s own.
- First, combine the dry ingredients (image 1), then melt together some butter and milk (image 2).
- Now, beat eggs until they get thick and fluffy. When you lift the whisk it will leave a trail (image 3) Then gradually add sugar as you whisk (image 4).
- Using a balloon whisk and a gentle folding action, add the dry ingredients (image 5) followed by the milk and butter (image 6).
- Pour it into a lamington tin(image 7) – a large 9×13 baking tin with high sides will do the trick too.
- Bake it then let it cool before cutting it into squares (image 8).
Now that the sponge is cut into squares we can get onto the coating process which will turn them into perfect little lamingtons.
- In a deep bowl, mix together icing (powdered) sugar, cocoa powder and boiling water. Whisk it until it’s smooth.
- Drop squares of cake into the glaze (image 9) and use two forks to turn them and coat all over (image 10). Let them drain a little before moving on.
- Take the chocolate coated squares and roll them in the desiccated coconut (image 11), then set them on a wire rack to set.
Tips For An Easy Coating Process
Lamingtons can get messy – it’s all part of the fun but I have a few tips to make the coating process run more smoothly and (a little) less messily.
- Start by setting up two wire racks over baking paper lined baking trays – for catching drips and easy clean up.
- Use a deep bowl for your glaze and any regular bowl or tin for the coconut.
- Only use 1/3 of your coconut at a time, this stops it from getting filled and discoloured with chunks of chocolate.
- Have two forks at the ready in each bowl.
- Coat one of the squares in chocolate glaze, using the forks to move it around. Let it drain a little, then place it on one of the wire racks.
- Repeat two more times, so that you are working in batches of 3. This gives the cake squares time for a little more glaze to drip off rather than letting it drip off and form clumps in your coconut.
- Now, starting with the first one, coat it in coconut using the two forks there then transfer it to the other wire rack to set. Repeat.
- If you see clumps of chocolate in the coconut remove them.
The Classic Lamington Tin
This recipe is made in a traditional lamington tin – aka a rectangular cake tin with high sides, that’s about 23cmx34cm. This is equivalent to a high-sided 9×13 inch tin. This size tin makes a batch of 20-22 lamingtons or if you like larger lamingtons (like me) and are pedantic about cutting them perfectly square (also like me), you’ll get about 18.
I’ve also created this recipe in such a way that it’s easy to halve and make in an 8×8 inch square baking tin or a full batch in two square tins.
A good Aussie lamington needs nothing more, however there are some that like them cut in half, then sandwiched with jam and cream.
Not me – nosireee but each to their own. I like my lamingtons au naturel and the way Lord Lamington (real guy who we have to thank for them) suggests.
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Whichever way you like your lamingtons, I know you’ll love this easy and delicious recipe. What could be better than cute little sponge cakes rolled in chocolate and coconut. That’s how us Aussies roll 😊
More classic Australian recipes
- Traditional Neenish Tarts
- Pavlova
- Lemon Vanilla Custard Slice
- Passionfruit Slice
- Easy Anzac Biscuits
- Homemade Kingston Biscuits
- Homemade Sausage Rolls
- More Aussie desserts
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Classic Australian Lamingtons
Yield: 24 serves
Prep Time: 40 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cooling time: 2 hours hours
Total Time: 1 hour hour
4.7 from 25 ratings
These Australian Lamingtons are a classic for a reason. Fluffy, buttery sponge cake, dipped in a chocolate glaze then coconut. Easy and delicious, this recipe is an Aussie favourite.
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Ingredients
FOR THE LAMINGTON SPONGE
- 57 g unsalted butter (¼ cup / ½ stick / 2oz
- ¾ cup milk (180ml)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 4 whole large eggs
- 2 egg whites from large eggs
- 1 ¾ cups plain flour (225g / 8oz)
- ¼ cup cornflour (US cornstarch) (35g / 1.2oz)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 200 g caster sugar (1 cup / 7oz)
FOR THE GLAZE AND COATING
- 3 cups icing powdered sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (notes)
- ½ cup boiling water
- 2 cups fine desiccated coconut
For best results, always weigh ingredients where a weight is provided
Equipment
lamington tin or 2 square baking tins.
Instructions
FOR THE LAMINGTON SPONGE
Preheat your oven to 180C / 350F / 160C fan forced and line a lamington tin (approx 22cm x 33cm) with baking paper.
In a microwave safe bowl, combine the butter and milk and melt in 30 second increments, stirring well between each until just melted. Add the vanilla and set aside.
Sift together the flour, cornflour, baking powder and salt into a medium bowl, then whisk to combine. Set aside.
Beat the eggs and egg whites together in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, until very thick pale ribbony. This will take around 8 minutes.
While beating on low slowly pour in sugar into eggs, and beat a further 2 minutes,
Use a balloon whisk and a folding action to fold in half flour at a time until combined.
Pour in the milk mixture and use folding action again with balloon whisk until lump free. Don’t over mix and don’t whisk – just fold. If it seems like the liquid is not mixing in, swap to a spatula but continue the folding technique.
Pour into the prepared tin then tap lightly on the bench top 3-4 times until any large bubbles have disappeared.
Bake 20-23 minutes just until a toothpick comes out clean. Don’t check until at least 18 mins. Be careful not to overbake.
Let cool in tins for 10 – 15 minutes. Sit a large baking tray over the top and flip so the cake comes out. Repeat using a wire rack, so the cake is now right way up on a wire cooling rack.
Let it cool completely before cutting into 20 even squares.
FOR THE GLAZE
Combine the icing sugar, cocoa and boiling water in a deep bowl and mix well to a syrup consistency.
TO ASSEMBLE
Place ⅓ of the coconut into a separate bowl. Set two wire racks over baking paper lined trays.
Using two forks, dip a square of sponge into the chocolate glaze turning to coat well. Let it drain a little then transfer to one of the wire racks. Repeat with 2 more squares.
Take the first square and use clean forks to roll it in coconut then transfer to the second tray to set. Repeat 2 more times.
Now repeat the process with the whole batch, replenishing the coconut as required.
Notes
- For best results you should always weigh ingredients like flour and sugar.Kitchen scaleslike these
are relatively cheap but if you can’t weigh the ingredients, use the spoon and level method (don’t scoop). - This recipe can be halved and made in an 8×8 inch square baking tin or, if you don’t have a lamington tin make the full recipe in two square tins.
are relatively cheap but if you can’t weigh the ingredients, use the spoon and level method (don’t scoop).For more Aussie dessert, click here.
Calories: 375kcal
Author: Marie Roffey
Course: Afternoon Tea, Dessert, Morning Tea, Snack, Sweets
Cuisine: Australian
Have you tried this recipe?Don’t forget to leave a rating and comment below and let me know how it was! I love hearing from you. Nutrition information is approximate and derived from an online calculator. The brands you use may cause variations.
See the lamingtons web story
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Aussie desserts, Australia Day, , , Recipe Videos
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Faizah Wahab —Reply
Ummm you made a couple mistakes on step 7… your wrote powdered sugar twice and forgot to include the cocoa powder!!!
Marie Roffey —Reply
Thank you so much for letting me know, Faizah. All fixed now.
Kat —Reply
Hey Marie thanks for sharing this recipe. One question can the flour be subbed with Cake flour or T45 flour if so what ratios and then does one skip the cornstarch too ? Do tell thanks x
Marie Roffey —Reply
Hi Kat. Yes, you can swap to cake flour but make sure to swap both the plain flour and cornflour. So instead of 3/4 cup and 1/4 cup respectively, you’ll need 2 cups cake flour. I haven’t tested with T45 flour so couldn’t say with that one.
Fatema —Reply
Hi I followed the full recipe but they turned out completely flat. Any ideas?
Iv made it before and was perfect
It says plain flour, should it be self raising?Marie Roffey —Reply
No, it’s definitely plain flour. What did you do different to last time you made it? Is your baking powder old or expired? Did you possibly overmix it? Did you beat the eggs for 8 minutes?
Kim —Reply
These turned out great and the feedback was good. I did need to make some extra glaze but no other issues. Thanks MarieMarie Roffey —Reply
Thanks so much for trying my recipe Kim. So happy you love them.
Shillpa Gajendra Panndeshwar —Reply
Hi I wanna try this but can you tell what to add to replace the eggs.
Thanks I wanna make eggless Lamington cakeMarie Roffey —Reply
Hello Shillpa, no sorry, I don’t do a lot of cooking without eggs and haven’t tested this one so I can’t confidently say what will work. You could try yoghurt in their place but it likely won’t have the same texture.
Claudia Harrison —Reply
How long do they keep once they’ve been made?
Marie Roffey —Reply
Hi Claudia, keep them in an airtight container and they’ll keep for 4-5 days though they will stale a bit so definitely best eaten fresh.
Josh —Reply
Hello,
Can I use milk instead of boiling water for coating?
Thanks!Marie Roffey —Reply
You could but it’s not necessary.
Sarah —Reply
I am going to make these for an Australian friend living in the US. I don’t have any caster sugar on hand. Is there a good option for a replacement? Thanks!
Marie Roffey —Reply
Hello Sarah, superfine if you can get is a straight substitute but granulated will also work – just make sure to get the butter and sugar well creamed together. Happy baking
Trang —Reply
I’ve always wanted to make Lamington, I need to try your recipe! The cake looks so soft, and such a perfect little sweet treat.Marie Roffey —Reply
You’d definitely enjoy these Trang.
Neha Sutodiya —Reply
Hi, Iam Neha from India ..I tried this recipe and I have to thank you 🙏🏼 for giving us this recipe …it’s one of the best experience that I had in making the Lamingtons …the recipe is flawless ..followed it word to word …and it came just the way I had wanted to …my Family which includes …my husband , children , my in-laws ..my sister in law …they loved it so much that I have already been told to make this once a month …thank you once again for giving us HAPPINESS 😊Marie Roffey —Reply
Hello Neha, thank you so much. It makes my day to hear this 🙂
Pamela —Reply
Hi Marie I am a jam and cream girl. Am also a bit touchy with all the mess so I use a plastic bag with coconut in it and gently roll the lamington through the coconut…..and at the end I eat all the little bits of coconut choccy bits left over. Shaking the bag vigorously tends to break the cake but I have been known to do it ! LOL
Marie Roffey —Reply
Love those little bits of coconut choccy bits 🙂 Thanks Pamela
