I continue my Australia Day celebrations with one of the few recipes that can be claimed as Australian. Australia has great food but not very many dishes that are truly Australian. Our country is such a mix of different cultures and influences that we have no distinct flavour or cuisine. Lamingtons however belong to us! They are simply sponge cake squares dipped in chocolate and rolled in coconut. Traditionally made from stale (or day old) sponge so that it is easier to handle. They are simple yet amazing. I'm yet to meet someone who doesn't like lamingtons. Some variations also contain cream, or cream and jam. You can also get them as larger cakes or rolls (roulade). I've stuck with the traditional lamington of just plain ol' sponge.
They can be a little messy to make, but my tip is to use a fork to dip the sponge in the chocolate and coconut. The fork marks will be hidden by the chocolate that soaks into the sponge. If you are pressed for time you can use pre-made sponge.
Happy Australia Day!!
Lamingtons
Ingredients
6 eggs
⅔ cup (150g) caster sugar
⅓ cup (50g) cornflour
½ cup (75g) plain flour
⅓ cup (50g) self-raising flour
2 cups (160g) desiccated coconut
Icing
4 cups (640g) icing sugar
½ cup (50g) cocoa powder
15g butter
1 cup (250mL) milk
Method
Preheat oven to 180C. Grease 20cmx 30cm lamington pan; line base with baking paper, extending paper 5cm over long sides.
Beat eggs in medium bowl with electric mixer about 10 minutes or until think and creamy; gradually beat in sugar, dissolving between additions. Fold in triple-sifted flours. Spread mixture into pan.
Bake cake about 35 minutes. Turn cake onto baking-paper-covered wire rack to cool.
Meanwhile, make icing. Cut cake into 16 piees; dip each square in icing, drain off excess. Toss squares in coconut. Place lamingtons onto wire rack to set.
Icing Sift icing suar and cocoa into medium heatproof bowl; stir in butter and milk. Set bowl over medium saucepan of simmering water; stir until icing is of a coating consistency.
These look delicious. I've never heard of lamingtons, but the combination of chocolate and coconut makes me want to become familiar with them ASAP =)
ReplyDeleteArika
My Yummy Life
I didn't realize these were australian... i have never made them, but by the look of yours i just might have to try :)
ReplyDeleteYou can do so much with them too. Many variations have cream or cream and jam sandwiched in the middle. Large cakes and roulades are also nice. And then you can play with the flavours as well... I see a lamington series coming on!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea they were Australian.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother uses to make this for every important holiday for ages. And I am from Romania:)