Lamington-Inspired Chocolate Sponge Cake Squares
Soft chocolate sponge cake squares dipped in rich chocolate icing and coated in desiccated coconut, capturing the essence of the beloved Australian lamington. This australian-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder 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 150 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder for icing
- 1/3 cup boiling water
- 2 cups desiccated coconut
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8x8-inch square baking pan.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk 2 large eggs, 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, 1/2 cup whole milk, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 4: Gradually fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
- Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 6: Let the cake cool completely in the pan before cutting into 16 equal squares.
- Step 7: To make the chocolate icing, sift 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar and 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder into a bowl. Stir in 1/3 cup boiling water gradually until a smooth, pourable glaze forms.
- Step 8: Dip each cake square into the chocolate icing, allowing excess to drip off, then immediately coat all sides with 2 cups desiccated coconut.
- Step 9: Place the coated lamington squares on a wire rack to set for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lamington-Inspired Chocolate Sponge Cake Squares 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-Inspired Chocolate Sponge Cake Squares?
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-Inspired Chocolate Sponge Cake Squares?
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-Inspired Chocolate Sponge Cake Squares 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-Inspired Chocolate Sponge Cake Squares?
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.
