Lamington-Style Coconut and Chocolate Sheet Cake

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A soft, moist chocolate sheet cake coated in chocolate icing and rolled in shredded coconut, inspired by the iconic Australian lamington dessert. This australian-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking 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 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: 40 min Serves 12 Australian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, sift together 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt.
  3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, beat 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter with 2 cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 large eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition, then stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
  5. Step 5: Alternately add the dry ingredients and 1 cup buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
  6. Step 6: Gradually stir in 1 cup boiling water until the batter is smooth and thin.
  7. Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Step 8: While cake bakes, prepare the icing by combining 3 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter, 1/2 cup milk, and 1 tsp vanilla extract in a saucepan. Heat gently, stirring until smooth and slightly thickened.
  9. Step 9: When the cake is cool, cut it into 2-inch squares. Dip each square into the chocolate icing, then roll in 2 cups shredded sweetened coconut until fully coated.
  10. Step 10: Place coated lamingtons on a wire rack to set before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Lamington-Style Coconut and Chocolate Sheet Cake take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 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 Coconut and Chocolate Sheet Cake?

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 Coconut and Chocolate Sheet Cake?

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 Coconut and Chocolate Sheet Cake 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 Lamington-Style Coconut and Chocolate Sheet Cake?

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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