No-Bake Lamington Balls with Coconut Coating

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A playful twist on the traditional Australian lamington, these no-bake cake balls are coated in chocolate and shredded coconut for an indulgent treat. This australian-inspired desserts ready in about 20 minutes layers crumbled vanilla sponge cake, sweetened condensed milk, 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 180 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 Serves 8 Australian cuisine 180 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 200 g crumbled vanilla sponge cake in a large mixing bowl. Add 3 tbsp sweetened condensed milk and 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder. Mix well with your hands or a spoon until the mixture holds together when pressed.
  2. Step 2: Roll the mixture into 16 equal-sized balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on a parchment-lined tray.
  3. Step 3: Melt 150 g chopped dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or in 30-second bursts in the microwave until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Using a fork or skewer, dip each cake ball into the melted chocolate, letting excess drip off, then immediately roll in 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut until fully coated.
  5. Step 5: Place the coated lamington balls on a clean tray and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does No-Bake Lamington Balls with Coconut Coating take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (20 min prep + 0 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 No-Bake Lamington Balls with Coconut Coating?

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 No-Bake Lamington Balls with Coconut Coating?

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 No-Bake Lamington Balls with Coconut Coating 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 No-Bake Lamington Balls with Coconut Coating?

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.