Lamington-Inspired Coconut and Raspberry Cake Squares

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Soft sponge cake squares dipped in rich chocolate and rolled in toasted coconut, filled with a tangy raspberry jam center inspired by the classic Australian lamington. This australian-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, butter, softened 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 8, 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 8 Australian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8x8-inch baking pan.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 1/2 tsp baking powder.
  3. Step 3: In a separate large bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened butter with 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, then stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
  5. Step 5: Alternately add the flour mixture and 1/2 cup milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour, mixing until just combined.
  6. Step 6: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely.
  7. Step 7: Once cooled, cut the cake into 16 equal squares. Spread about 1 tsp raspberry jam between two squares and sandwich them together, repeating for all pairs.
  8. Step 8: Melt 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl over simmering water, stirring until smooth.
  9. Step 9: Place 1 1/2 cups toasted shredded coconut in a shallow dish. Dip each jam-filled cake square into the melted chocolate, then roll in toasted coconut to coat completely. Place on parchment paper and let set until chocolate firms.
  10. Step 10: Serve these coconut-coated raspberry cake squares as a nostalgic Australian treat perfect for afternoon tea.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Lamington-Inspired Coconut and Raspberry Cake Squares 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 Lamington-Inspired Coconut and Raspberry 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 Coconut and Raspberry 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 Coconut and Raspberry Cake Squares for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Coconut and Raspberry 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.

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