Lamington-Style Chocolate Coconut Squares
Soft sponge cake squares dipped in rich chocolate and rolled in shredded coconut, inspired by the classic Australian Lamington dessert. This australian-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers (113g) unsalted butter, softened, (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 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
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
- 2 cups (250g) powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup (35g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup (120ml) boiling water
- 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 3: Add 2 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1 tsp baking powder; gradually add to the butter mixture alternating with 1/4 cup milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, mixing until smooth.
- Step 5: Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean; cool completely on a wire rack.
- Step 6: For the chocolate coating, sift together 2 cups powdered sugar and 1/3 cup cocoa powder into a heatproof bowl.
- Step 7: Stir in 1/2 cup boiling water until smooth and slightly thickened but pourable.
- Step 8: Cut the cooled cake into 16 equal squares.
- Step 9: Dip each cake square into the chocolate mixture to coat all sides, then immediately roll in 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut; place on a wire rack to set.
- Step 10: Allow the lamington squares to set for at least 1 hour before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lamington-Style Chocolate Coconut 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-Style Chocolate Coconut 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-Style Chocolate Coconut 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-Style Chocolate Coconut 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-Style Chocolate Coconut 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.
