Toasted Lamington Cake Squares with Coconut and Raspberry Jam
Soft sponge cake squares dipped in chocolate ganache, rolled in shredded coconut, and served with a tart raspberry jam center for a beloved Australian treat. This australian-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, (113g) unsalted butter, softened 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 4 oz dark chocolate, chopped
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups desiccated coconut
- 1/4 cup raspberry jam
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1 tsp baking powder.
- Step 2: In a separate large bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 3/4 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, then stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 3: Alternate adding the flour mixture and 1/4 cup whole milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour, mixing until just combined.
- Step 4: Pour batter into a greased 8x8-inch square pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, make ganache by heating 1/3 cup heavy cream in a small saucepan until just simmering. Pour over 4 oz chopped dark chocolate in a bowl and let sit 2 minutes, then stir until smooth.
- Step 6: Cut cooled cake into 1 1/2-inch squares. Spread about 1/2 tsp raspberry jam on the bottom of half the squares, then sandwich with remaining squares.
- Step 7: Dip each sandwich in chocolate ganache, then roll in 1 1/2 cups desiccated coconut until fully coated. Place on a wire rack to set before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Toasted Lamington Cake Squares with Coconut and Raspberry 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 Toasted Lamington Cake Squares with Coconut and 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 Toasted Lamington Cake Squares with Coconut and 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 Toasted Lamington Cake Squares with Coconut and 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 Toasted Lamington Cake Squares with Coconut and 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.
Equipment for this recipe
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