Honey-Spiced Lamington Cake with Macadamia Crust

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

An inventive twist on the classic Australian lamington featuring a honey-spiced sponge cake rolled in toasted macadamia nuts and coated with rich chocolate icing. This australian-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers (180g) all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 12 Australian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, sift together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp ground ginger.
  3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, followed by 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1/4 cup honey until combined.
  5. Step 5: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and 2/3 cup whole milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix just until smooth.
  6. Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
  7. Step 7: While cake cools, toast 1 cup macadamia nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes until golden and fragrant. Finely chop and set aside.
  8. Step 8: For the chocolate coating, heat 2/3 cup heavy cream in a saucepan until just simmering. Pour over 1 1/2 cups chopped bittersweet chocolate and stir until melted and smooth.
  9. Step 9: Cut the cooled cake into 2-inch squares. Dip each square into the warm chocolate ganache to coat all sides, then roll immediately in the finely chopped toasted macadamia nuts. Place on a rack to set.
  10. Step 10: Allow the lamingtons to set for at least 1 hour before serving to let the chocolate harden and the nuts adhere firmly.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Spiced Lamington Cake with Macadamia Crust take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover Honey-Spiced Lamington Cake with Macadamia Crust?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Spiced Lamington Cake with Macadamia Crust?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Honey-Spiced Lamington Cake with Macadamia Crust for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Honey-Spiced Lamington Cake with Macadamia Crust?

Australian desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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