Lamington-Style Sponge Cake with Kakadu Plum Jam
A light sponge cake inspired by the classic Australian lamington, coated in chocolate and rolled in desiccated coconut, paired with tangy Kakadu plum jam. This australian-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, softened unsalted butter 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 280 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup, softened unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 7 oz, chopped dark chocolate
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for chocolate glaze)
- 1 1/2 cups desiccated coconut
- 1/2 cup Kakadu plum jam
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x9-inch square baking pan. In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1 tsp baking powder.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 3/4 cup granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
- Step 3: Beat in 3 large eggs, one at a time, then add 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 4: Alternate adding the flour mixture and 1/4 cup whole milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour, mixing gently until combined.
- Step 5: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- Step 6: Cut the cooled sponge cake into 2-inch squares.
- Step 7: For the chocolate glaze, melt 7 oz chopped dark chocolate with 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a heatproof bowl over simmering water until smooth.
- Step 8: Spread 1/2 cup Kakadu plum jam on half of the cake squares.
- Step 9: Dip each jammed square into the chocolate glaze, then roll in 1 1/2 cups desiccated coconut to coat fully. Place on a wire rack to set.
- Step 10: Allow the lamington-style cakes to set for 1 hour before serving for the chocolate to firm up and flavors to meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lamington-Style Sponge Cake with Kakadu Plum 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-Style Sponge Cake with Kakadu Plum 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-Style Sponge Cake with Kakadu Plum 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-Style Sponge Cake with Kakadu Plum Jam 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 Sponge Cake with Kakadu Plum 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.
