Lamington Cakes: What Is This Australian Dessert And How To Make It With Indian Ingredients?
Written by jheelum basu | October 1, 2024
A lamington cake is best defined as a traditional Australian dessert featuring a sponge cake or butter cake coated in a thin chocolate sauce and rolled in desiccated coconut. Cherished for its soft, airy, and buttery texture, each of the individual squares is dipped in melted chocolate glaze or cocoa-based sauce. To add a tropical, grainy texture, it is rolled generously in shredded, desiccated coconut. While this defines the classic Australian Lamington, the Indian version, often sold as a Lamington Pastry, is typically a cream/jam-layered slice (sometimes eggless) influenced by local patisserie styles. While you now know what Lamington cake is, here’s a look at its history.
Lamington Cake: History
History says that the name is after Lord Lamington, who served as the Governor of Queensland, Australia, from 1896 to 1901. Some reports also mention it was about his wife, Lady Lamington. For this soft, spongy, buttery, chocolatey dessert, historians credit the French-born chef Armand Galland, who was in service at Government House in Brisbane during Lord Lamington’s tenure. Popular local lore has it that the cake was nothing but a quick and smart solution to serve the unexpected guests who arrived at Government House. It is said that the chef used to cut up leftover or stale sponge cake, dip the pieces in melted chocolate sauce, and roll them in desiccated coconut to keep guests' fingers clean.
Lamington Cake Recipe: Step-By-Step Guide With Indian Ingredients
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 3/4 cup softened butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- 1 cup chopped dark chocolate
- 1 cup fresh cream
- 2 cups strawberry jam
- 2 cups desiccated coconut
Step-By-Step Guide
Step 1:
Prepare the batter by beating the softened butter and powdered sugar together until fluffy. Add the eggs one by one, along with the vanilla essence. Sift the dry ingredients, such as flour and baking powder, into the wet mixture and combine well.
Step 2
: Preheat your oven to 180°C. Pour the batter into a greased and lined square baking tin and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Once the cake is baked, allow it to cool down completely.
Step 3:
Next, trim the edges of the sponge cake and slice it horizontally into two layers. Add a generous layer of strawberry jam on the bottom half and place the top layer over it. Once the cake is assembled, cut it into small squares.
Step 3:
Take a small saucepan and heat the fresh cream until it comes to a gentle boil. Pour the hot cream over the chopped dark chocolate in a bowl and stir until smooth and melted to make the sauce.
Step 4:
Dip each cake square briefly into the warm chocolate sauce with two forks. Make sure all the sides are coated well.
Step 5:
Spread the dry, desiccated coconut flakes flat on a plate. Roll the chocolate-dipped square in it until fully covered.
Step 6:
Place the sponge cake squares on a wire rack or tray and refrigerate for about 5 to 10 minutes to set.
Tips & Tricks For Best Lamington Cake With Indian Ingredients
Condensed milk and soda water for eggless version:
If you are trying the eggless version, add half a tin of condensed milk with some powdered sugar and vegetable oil to the batter. Right before baking, add plain unflavored soda water. The carbonation reaction here helps with the aeration, and the result is an airy sponge.
Avoid Overmixing:
To avoid excess gluten formation, combine the ingredients until just mixed. Overmixing activates the gluten in maida, and the result is a dense, rubbery cake.
Clean Cuts:
Refrigerating the cake before slicing ensures clean and professional-looking slices, as chilling firms up the butter and structure of the cake.
Conclusion: Whether you want the original Australian lamington cake or the Indian version, this spongy, airy, sweet, chocolatey cake serves comfort like nothing else. Be it a weekend brunch or just a random craving for something chocolatey, this cake is perfect for both.