Lamington

A lamington is a popular Australian cake, made from squares of sponge cake or butter cake coated in an outer layer of chocolate sauce and rolled in desiccated coconut. The thin mixture is absorbed into the outside of the sponge cake and left to set, giving the cake a distinctive texture.

History

The origin of the lamington is often debated, but it is commonly believed to have been named after Lord Lamington, who served as the Governor of Queensland from 1896 to 1901. According to popular legend, the lamington was created by accident when a maidservant of Lord Lamington accidentally dropped a sponge cake into some melted chocolate. To avoid waste, Lord Lamington suggested it be rolled in coconut to make it less messy to eat.

Preparation

The traditional lamington is made by preparing a sponge cake or butter cake, which is then cut into squares. These squares are dipped in a chocolate sauce made from cocoa powder, icing sugar, and milk or water. Once coated, the squares are rolled in desiccated coconut and left to set.

Variations

There are several variations of the lamington, including:

• Cream-filled lamingtons: These are split and filled with whipped cream or jam.
• Mocha lamingtons: These are made with a coffee-flavored chocolate coating.
• Strawberry lamingtons: These use a strawberry-flavored coating instead of chocolate.

New Zealand Lamington

Cultural Significance

Lamingtons are a staple in Australian culture, often served at fundraising events known as "lamington drives". They are also popular in New Zealand, where they are considered a traditional treat.

Related pages

• Sponge cake
• Australian cuisine
• New Zealand cuisine