Traditional Lamington Recipe – Simple Dessert with a Twist

If you’re hosting people this Australia Day here’s a great twist on an Australian staple thats a little bit more fancy than a traditional lamington – and nobody need ever know it’s a short cut recipe!

Perfect for afternoon tea or an after dinner dessert this can be made as a large single cake and cut to serve or as smaller individual portions. Even better, with simple assembly this is a treat the children can help you build and it can be done up to 6 hour before so there’s no need to be in the kitchen when your guests arrive!

Level: Simple! Time: 20 minutes total.

Ingredients

• A square sponge cake – you may like to bake your own.
  (*I’m a “cook in a hurry” so I love to use the pre-made sponge cake from the Coles Bakery Section)
• Punnet of Strawberries
• Fresh cream suitable for whipping
• Vanilla Essence
• Melting chocolate
• Desiccated Coconut

Method 

Cut your sponge into your desired size.
A large single cake you will not need to cut. Single portions slice the sponge into portion sized fingers.

Use a mixer to whip your cream until it forms stiff peaks and holds its shape. Sweeten to taste with vanilla essence whilst whipping.

Cut your punnet of strawberries, stalks removed into fine slices.

Commence building your lamington by spreading a layer of cream approx 1cm thick like you are buttering a sandwich onto the cake base.

Your end presentation will be better if you ensure the cream goes right to the edges of the cake.

Add the layer of strawberries (your twist on jam!) to your cake, ensure to cover the whole area and place them right to the edges for colourful presentation.

Repeat steps 5 and 6 to make your layers.

Once you have built your lamington to your desired height leave the top layer undecorated (without cream or strawberries) so that you can pour the melted chocolate onto it.

Melt your chocolate over the stove top using a water bath (or in the microwave if you prefer), stirring gently to remove any lumps.

When the chocolate is a smooth consistency, carefully lift your saucepan and pour the chocolate over the top of your cake allowing it to drip down the sides of the cake.
The chocolate will be hot so if you have small helpers this is a step for a parent to undertake.

Once the chocolate appears to be firm to the eye on the cake (in about 10 minutes) sprinkle generously with desiccated coconut and serve with a side dish of any left over fresh cream.

Your fresh dessert twist on a lamington is complete!
Happy baking & Happy Australia Day.