Australian Lamingtons

Lamingtons are typical Australian treats dipped in chocolate and covered in shredded coconut. Here’s the recipe with a small Italian touch, perhaps using a higher quality chocolate and maybe fresh coconut for a more intense texture and aroma.

Ingredients

• 125 g of soft butter
• 200 g of granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 350 g of self-raising flour (or 350 g of all-purpose flour with 3 teaspoons of baking powder)
• 120 ml of milk

For the chocolate icing:

• 500 g of powdered sugar
• 40 g of high-quality cocoa powder
• 15 g of soft butter
• 120 ml of boiling water

For the coating:

• 200 g of shredded coconut (fresh if possible)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and line a 20 cm square baking tray with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, beat the butter with the sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Alternately fold in the sifted flour and milk, mixing until smooth.
5. Pour the mixture into the baking tray and bake for about 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
6. Allow to cool on a wire rack, then cut into squares about 5 cm on each side.

For the icing:

1. Sift the powdered sugar and cocoa powder into a bowl.
2. Add the butter and boiling water, then mix until smooth.

To assemble the Lamingtons:

1. Dip each cake square into the chocolate icing, using a fork to let the excess drip off.
2. Then roll it in the shredded coconut, making sure to cover all sides well.
3. Place the Lamingtons on a rack to set the icing.
4. Store in an airtight container for a few days.

Curiosity

It is said that the name “Lamington” comes from Lord Lamington, who was the governor of Queensland at the beginning of the 20th century, although there are various stories about their exact origin. The addition of quality chocolate and the use of fresh coconut are small variations that can make this dessert even more delicious!