Delicious Homemade Lamingtons: How to Make Them at Home

If you're a fan of sweet treats, you've likely heard of Lamingtons. These delightful little cakes are a classic Australian dessert that's popular around the world. Traditionally, Lamingtons are made of a sponge cake coated in chocolate and rolled in desiccated coconut. They're the perfect snack or dessert, and the good news is that they're easy to make at home. In this article, we'll take you through the steps to prepare Lamingtons at home that are both delicious and easy to make.

Ingredients:

For the sponge cake:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup whole milk, at room temperature

For the chocolate icing:

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup whole milk, at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the coating:

• 2 cups desiccated coconut

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour an 8x8-inch baking dish.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
6. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the baking dish.
7. Once the cake has cooled, cut it into 16 equal squares.
8. To prepare the icing, sift together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract, and whisk until smooth.
9. To assemble the Lamingtons, place the desiccated coconut in a shallow dish.
10. Dip each square of cake into the icing, making sure to coat all sides. Use a fork to lift the cake out of the icing, allowing any excess to drip off.
11. Place the cake square into the desiccated coconut and roll it around until it's coated on all sides. Place the coated cake square onto a wire rack to set.
12. Repeat with all remaining cake squares, icing, and desiccated coconut.
13. Once the icing has set, the Lamingtons are ready to be served. Enjoy!

Tips for Making the Perfect Lamingtons:

• Make sure the cake has cooled completely before cutting it into squares. This will prevent the cake from crumbling or falling apart.
• Use a fork to lift the cake out of the icing, rather than your fingers. This will help prevent the cake from breaking apart and will also keep your hands clean.
• If the icing starts to thicken or harden while you're coating the cake squares, simply reheat it in the microwave for a few seconds to soften it up.
• Store the Lamingtons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.