Sweet Lamington Cake Squares with Raspberry Jam

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

Classic Australian sponge cake squares dipped in chocolate and rolled in shredded coconut with a hint of raspberry jam in the center. This australian-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers (113 g) unsalted butter, softened, (150 g) 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 180 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 30 min Serves 16 Australian cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch square cake pan with parchment paper.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, then stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
  4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, sift together 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp baking powder.
  5. Step 5: Gradually add the flour mixture alternately with 1/3 cup whole milk to the butter mixture, mixing gently until just combined.
  6. Step 6: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Step 7: Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack, then cut into 16 equal squares.
  8. Step 8: Spread about 1/2 tsp raspberry jam on the bottom side of half the squares, then sandwich with the remaining squares to form lamingtons.
  9. Step 9: To make chocolate icing, sift 1/4 cup cocoa powder and 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar into a bowl. Stir in 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted in 1/3 cup boiling water until smooth.
  10. Step 10: Dip each sandwich cake square into the chocolate icing, letting excess drip off, then roll immediately in 1 1/2 cups desiccated coconut.
  11. Step 11: Place finished lamingtons on a rack to set for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sweet Lamington Cake Squares with Raspberry Jam take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (30 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 Sweet Lamington Cake Squares with Raspberry 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 Sweet Lamington Cake Squares with Raspberry 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 Sweet Lamington Cake Squares with Raspberry Jam 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 Sweet Lamington Cake Squares with Raspberry 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.

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