Lamington Cake Bars with Coconut and Raspberry Jam

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Classic Australian lamingtons reimagined as easy-to-serve bars layered with raspberry jam and coated in chocolate and shredded coconut. This australian-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers (113g), softened butter, (150g) granulated sugar, large eggs 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 180 calories and feeds 16, 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: 30 min Serves 16 Australian cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened butter with 3/4 cup sugar until fluffy. Add 2 large eggs one at a time, then mix in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
  2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour with 1 1/2 tsp baking powder. Add dry ingredients alternately with 1/4 cup milk to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined.
  3. Step 3: Pour batter into a greased 9x9-inch baking pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
  4. Step 4: Spread 1/2 cup raspberry jam evenly over the cooled cake. Cut into 16 bars.
  5. Step 5: Melt 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave or double boiler until smooth.
  6. Step 6: Dip each bar into melted chocolate, then immediately roll in 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut to coat. Place bars on parchment paper and allow chocolate to set before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lamington Cake Bars with Coconut and Raspberry Jam take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Lamington Cake Bars with Coconut and Raspberry Jam?

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 Lamington Cake Bars with Coconut and Raspberry Jam?

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 Lamington Cake Bars with Coconut and Raspberry Jam for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 16 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 16). 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 Lamington Cake Bars with Coconut and Raspberry Jam?

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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