If you are looking for a delicious treat that is uniquely Australian, then the Lamington Cake may be just what you’re looking for.
It’s a moist chocolate sponge cake covered in coconut, dusted with sugar, dipped in iced coffee or tea to coat it in chocolate, and rolled up into a scroll shape.
Dipping the lamingtons in shredded coconut. Credit: canva
The history of the Lamington is unknown, but its popularity had grown exponentially since the 1990s when it began appearing on supermarket shelves as an Australian alternative to American-style layer cakes.
Lamingtons are one of Australia’s most famous cakes. It is a sponge cake dipped in chocolate icing and then rolled in desiccated coconut.
According to the history of the Lamington, the cake was created by an Australian baker for the Governor of Queensland, Lord Lamington, to serve at a picnic in 1896. They were initially called “Lord Lamingtons” but quickly became known as “Lamingtons.”
Lamington History
Raspberry Pink Lamington. Credit: canva
Who Invented Lamington?
You may know these delicious treats as Lamingtons, but did you also know that they are named after Lord or Lady Limington?
The first mention of this name goes back to June 1927. So if we believe it’s true, then this is where they got their famous moniker.
The identity of the recipe’s inventor has also been debated. Most stories attribute its creation to Lord Lamington’s chef, Armand Galland, who was called upon at short notice to feed unexpected guests and used only left-over ingredients in his dish.
Lady Lamington supports this version of events in her memoirs.
Lamington Cake Origin
Some believe that the Lamington was first served in Toowoomba when Lord Lamington, Governor of Queensland at that time, took his entourage to Harlaxton House to escape the steamy heat of Brisbane.
Others claim it was invented by Lord Lamington’s baker Galland at Queensland’s Government House during a busy period leading up to Federation.
Still yet another alternative claim is that Lord Lamington had been offered some sponge square cake soaked with chocolate and then sprinkled with desiccated coconut because he found them much more appealing than they were previously without these additions.
Where Did Lamingtons Originate?
The first known mention of “Lamington cake” appears in an 1896 newspaper account of a “Lamington Function” at Laidley in Queensland.
The event was hosted by Lord Lamington (although he did not attend) and featured various dishes with the same name.
So it is unclear whether or not this particular dish has any relation to his lordship’s origins.
Cake Named After Governor of Queensland 1896 – 1901: Lord Lamington
Charles Alexander Napier Cochrane-Baillie, 2nd Baron Lamington or Lord Lamington, was a British politician and colonial administrator who served as the Governor of Queensland from 1896 to 1901. His laconic style is still used in today’s diplomacy for its simplicity.
Lord Lamington is best known in Australia for allegedly giving his name to the Lamington, a popular Australian cake consisting of a cube of sponge cake dipped in chocolate icing and sprinkled with desiccated coconut.
You’ll often find this dessert at most cake shops and high-end restaurants because it’s so decadent!
Bloody Poofy Woolly Biscuits
What is the story behind the term “Bloody Poofy Wooly Biscuits?
The stories of the creation of the Australian Lamington vary widely. However, in most versions, the chef for Lord Lamington, Armand Galland, at Queensland’s Government House devises the cake by accident or due to a shortage of ingredients.
Lord Lamington is said to have referred to them as “those bloody poofy woolly biscuits.”
National Cake of Australia
The Lamington is a true Australian icon, although it is also very popular in New Zealand. You can’t get these fluffy, delicious cakes when visiting our shores. A souvenir that will take home the memories of your trip Down Under? It doesn’t get much better than this!
Every year on July 21st, Australia celebrates National Lamington Day. This event was established to honor a tasty cake and encourage people worldwide to try it for themselves!
The Australian National Lamington Day also encourages everyone who tries this Aussie delicacy to share their experience online with friends to get more of these cakes in their lives.
Why Should You Try it Out for Yourself?
The Australian Lamingtons are Everyone’s Favorite
You can dress this up for any occasion or have it on hand as an easy dessert recipe because you never know when the company might come.
But if you want to go all out, top with crushed ice and whip cream for a positively scrumptious desert (rough idea from here).
Where can I buy one in Australia?
Lamingtons is a popular Australian dessert. If you want to buy it in Australia, head to your local supermarket or bakery for a taste! It is available in almost all department stores, grocery stores, bakeries, and cake shops.
Combine flour, milk, butter, and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat; let it cook until thickened as long as you constantly stir it.
Remove from stovetop and cool slightly before adding vanilla extract, powdered wheat gluten, or baking powder to your mix, and then adding shaved coconut if desired.
Cool again for 10 minutes before frosting with an egg white batter or whipped cream, then cut into squares of coated goodness that are sure to disappear quickly!
Classic Recipe
Dipping the sponge cake into melted chocolate. Credit: canva
Ingredients
Sponge cake
70 grams (1/2 cup) plain flour or all-purpose flour
35 grams (1/4 cup) cornflour or cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 large eggs, room temperature
50 grams (1/4 cup) caster sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon butter
Chocolate icing
40 grams (1/2 cup) cocoa powder
250 grams (2 cups) icing or powdered sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
120 ml (1/2 cup) milk
120 grams (2 cups) of shredded coconut
Method
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Grease and line an 8-inch baking square tin with baking paper. Use a little more oil on the inside of the tinfoil as well!
Sift flour, cornflour, and baking powder twice into a large mixing bowl. Set aside for now so we can make the dough before it gets too hot in here!
In a separate mixing bowl, crack two whole eggs and start beating them with an electric whisk. Once the egg starts to get foamy, add sugar one tablespoon at a time until they’re thick and fluffy like marshmallow fluff.
Continue to beat the eggs until they are thick and voluminous – this can take 5-8 minutes.
Meanwhile, add milk and butter to a small microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds or until butter is melted. Leave to cool slightly.
When the eggs are ready, gently add the sifted flour mixture and pour butter down the side of your bowl. Gently fold them together with a knife until they combine! Be careful not to over mix or you’ll make all that air disappear from our eggy batter.
Add mixture to the prepared cake tin and bake for 20-23 minutes. Check on it every 10 minutes to see how well done it is, as different ovens cook differently. Let cool completely before frosting.
To make the chocolate icing, sift the cocoa powder and icing sugar. Add melted butter and milk for a smooth finish.
Cut the sponge cake into 12 squares. Carefully and quickly dip each piece of cake into chocolate, let the extra chocolate drip off, then cover in coconut. Transfer the coated square cakes to a rack with baking paper underneath it so you don’t make too much mess!
Repeat with the remaining 11 squares.
Conclusion
The Lamington cakes are uniquely Australian treats you might not have seen before. If you’re in the market for some delicious and refreshing afternoon tea, this dessert could be just what you need!
FAQs
Which cake is often referred to as the national cake of Australia?
Lamington cake is often referred to as the national cake of Australia. It is a chocolate sponge cake covered in a layer of chocolate icing and then coated in desiccated coconut.
Where do lamingtons come from?
There is some debate over who invented the Lamington. Some say it was Lord Lamington, the Governor of Queensland from 1896-1901. Others credit his wife, Lady Lamington, with the recipe.
Either way, these tasty treats have been around for over a century!
Where were lamingtons invented?
The cake is said to have been created in Lamington, Queensland, by a chef who worked for the political figure Lord Lamington. However, there are other claims to its invention, including by a woman named Mrs. Beeton.
