Whenever we went shopping with our Nan as kids, we would always have to make a stop at the local bakery for a treat. Our standing order was always a large Boston Bun to take home, a piece of Jelly Slice and a Lamington. I must admit to not being a big fan of the Lamingtons from the bakery as I really didn’t like the jam and cream they added to them. Thankfully as I’ve matured, my tastebuds have changed and I think a Lamington is incomplete without the addition of a thick layer of raspberry jam and fresh whipped cream.
I drew on these childhood memories when it came to making this Lamington Layer Cake. The idea for this cake has been on my mind for awhile now, and with Australia Day coming up this weekend, there seemed to be no better time than to make it.
Please don’t be put off by all the steps when it comes to making this cake – it’s actually a lot simpler than it looks! In fact you could even use store bought sponge cakes if you prefer. When making this cake, you need to get your hands dirty. I found the easiest way to ice and cover it with coconut with using both of my hands and pouring the icing/coconut over the top.
I was also very generous with the jam and cream between each of the layers, and when I tasted a slice, this really made all the difference and turned what would otherwise by a ‘boring’ sponge cake into something really amazing.
This cake would be the perfect dessert at any Australia Day celebration you have planned over the weekend. If at all possible, make the sponge the day before – it just makes it a little easier to ice.
Lamington Layer Cake
Ingredients
- For the Sponge
- 2 tablespoons of butter - melted
- 2 tablespoons of cornflour
- 4 eggs - at room temperature
- ¾ cup of caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 cup of self raising flour
- ¼ cup of boiling water
- For chocolate icing
- 3 cups of icing sugar mixture - sifted
- 1 ½ tablespoons of cocoa
- ⅓ cup of water
- 2 cups of coconut
- To decorate
- 600 ml of thickened cream
- 1 tablespoon of icing sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- ½ cup of raspberry jam
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180 degrees. Use 1 tablespoon of the melted butter to grease two x 20cm round cake tins and then sprinkle 2 teaspoons of cornflour over each greased tin. Give the tins a good shake to evenly coat the cornflour before tipping out the excess. Line the base of each tin with a sheet of baking paper.
- Use an electric mixer to beat together the eggs, caster sugar and vanilla extract for approximately 8 minutes or until it becomes thick and creamy.
- In a small bowl, sift together the self raising flour and remaining 1 tablespoon of cornflour three times.
- Sift the flours over the egg mixture, and using a large metal spoon, gently fold the ingredients together.
- Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted butter with the boiling water in a small jug and pour down the side of the bowl into the egg mixture. Fold until just combined.
- Divide the mixture evenly between the two cake tins and place in the oven to bake for 20 minutes, or until the sponges are golden and a skewer inserted into the centre of the tin comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in their tins for 5 minutes before carefully turning onto a wire rack to completely cool.
- Once the cakes have cooled (ideally waiting until the next day), it's time to make the chocolate icing. Place the coconut in a large container and set aside until needed.
- Combine the cocoa, icing sugar and water in a large container (big enough for the cake to fit in) and mix until all the ingredients have combined. You want the icing to be quite runny, so add a little water if it's too thick.
- Carefully coat each of the cakes in the chocolate icing - I find it easier to hold the cake with one hand and pour the icing over the top of it with a ¼ measuring cup. Once the cake has been completely covered with icing, place it in the container with the coconut and cover.
- Repeat above to cover the second cake with icing and coconut.
- Allow the icing to set on both of the cakes before carefully slicing each cake in half horizontally.
- Place the thickened cream, extra icing sugar and vanilla extract in a medium sized bowl and beat with electric beaters until soft peaks form.
- Place one layer of cake on your serving plate - leaving exposed cake on top. Carefully cover the surface with raspberry jam and cream. Place the next layer on top of the jam and cream and repeat.
- Continue until all three layer have been covered in jam and cream before carefully placing the final layer on top of the cake.
- You can sprinkle the cake with a little extra coconut if you like.
- Enjoy!
How are you celebrating Australia Day this weekend?
Dannielle @ Zamamabakes
I do love a good Nanna recipe as well as a good lamington! Wish I was eating a slice of your delicious cake right now Lauren. Xx
laurenm83
Thanks Dannielle, Nana recipes really are the best!
Nicole- Champagne and Chips
This is so beautifully retro-good. I love lamingtons (LOVE) but have never made them. I shall have to give it a go.
laurenm83
Thanks Nicole, you can’t go wrong with a classic recipe! Home made lamingtons are just the best, I hope you enjoy them x
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile
This is awesome!! Love your sponge recipe! Mmm nothing better than a lamington!
laurenm83
You are right, I love them!
Thanks lovely x
vegeTARAian
So many layers! I can taste all that time and effort from here…
laurenm83
I know, it was a little hard to eat actually! Thank you, it was actually quite fun to make 🙂
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid
Lamingtons and nana recipes – two of life’s most delicious things! This is oz-some!
laurenm83
Haha, love it!
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages
To be honest I have always avoided the bakery lamingtons with fillings but this cake I could demolish several too-big slices of. Yum!
laurenm83
Yep, it certainly didn’t last long around here!
Cooker and a Looker
Is there anything that can’t be improved with a bit of jam and cream? This looks delicious Lauren, thanks for linking it to the Australia Day Party.
Have a great long weekend! xx
laurenm83
There really isn’t, I think a nice thick spread of jam and cream could solve so many of the world’s problems! You have a lovely weekend too x
Talia
Yum!! Can’t wait to try this! Will have to research a gluten free sponge and I’ll be set!
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me
Oh my word, I’ll have to show this to mum, she’s a BIG lamington maker from way back, usually pink ones though. Not so good for me when I’m trying to be healthy. Have a great long weekend x
Sonia Life Love Hiccups
That is THE PERFECT Australia Day desert. YUM! Have a fabulous long weekend hun xx
Lisa
Between your recipe & Amanda’s pavlova I am all set for Australia day! Your lamington looks so good.
Amy (HandbagMafia)
This looks so amazing. Nothing says australia like lamingtons!
Sheridan Anne
*wipes the drool from my chin*
Nana’s are the best aren’t they? We lost my Nan last year and I treasure her sponge cake recipe (amongst others) – my nans sponge cake is something of a legacy in our family.
You’ve tempted me to give this ridiculously awesome treat a go!
Visiting from Sunday Brunch at Mums Take Five xox