Forget about the ubiquitous cheesecakes and red velvet cupcakes. If you are in Australia and searching for a dessert that is unique to Australians, look no further. The extremely delicious Lamington can be easily found in cafes and bakeries across Australia.
An Australian Lamington comprises a moderately-soft squarish cake coated with a thin layer of chocolate icing before it is covered with desiccated coconut. The insides of the Lamington is at times stuffed with cream or jam.
Indeed, no trip to the Land Down Under is complete till you have tried this sugary treat.
An interesting trait of the Lamington is that the cake used is actually denser than the typical genoise sponge but lighter than a butter cake. The Lamington’s outermost coat of toasted coconut shreds gives it a crunchy texture and is a great contrast to its softer insides. Do note that some Lamingtons do not have any fillings inside it and that largely depends on the pastry chef’s preferences.
Historians have pinpointed the birth of Lamingtons in Australian State Queensland, but recent studies argued that it was first invented in New Zealand. While it is difficult to determine the exact origin of the first-ever created Lamington, Australians have long embraced the delicious dessert as their national dish.
Lamingtons are commonly eaten throughout the year and becomes even more popular during Australia Day. Of course, it is a hit too at any Australian-themed parties. Most Aussie kids resonate well with this iconic dessert and regard it as a beloved childhood snack. Having said that, this does not mean that the Lamington is strictly restricted for children only as adults too are often seen indulging in this lovely dessert.
The most traditional Lamington would be two square-shaped sponge cakes sandwiching a generous amount of whipped cream. The cake halves are each rolled till they have gained a slim coating of chocolate and then dusted with semi-dried grated coconut.
Many pastry chefs have been recreating the dessert in the recent years and offering many alternative variations. We have seen Lamingtons merged with doughnuts and even transformed into ice cream sandwiches! The integration of other unconventional elements into Lamingtons is indeed a representation of Australia’s growing ethnic diversity.
Regardless on whether it was the Aussies or Kiwis or even the French who invented Lamingtons, the sugary treat will still remain a local dessert that holds a special place in the hearts of Australians.
About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.