Lamington’s are an Australian icon. They are believed to have first been created, by accident in the kitchen of Queensland Government House by Lord Lamington’s maid servant. She had accidentally dropped the sponge cake into melted chocolate and because he hated waste it is reported that Lord Lamington told her to cover it in coconut so his guests could still eat it without making a mess. Everyone loved the creation except possibly Lord Lamington himself who once described them as “those bloody poofy woolly biscuits.”

Lord Lamington was Governor of Queensland from 9th April, 1896 until 19th December, 1901. On 19th December, 2001 the Australian lamington celebrated its 100th birthday.

Image Credit: Donna Hay

LAMINGTON RECIPE

125g butter

125g sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla essence

250g self-raising flour

pinch salt

1/2 cup milk

Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add vanilla. Add eggs 1 at a time and beat well. Sift flour and salt together. Add flour alternatively with milk to the mixture. Turn into a greased and floured lamington tin (square baking tin.) Bake in a moderate oven (180-200C) for 30 minutes. Allow to cool. Cut cake into squares.

Icing:

Sift icing sugar into a bowl. Blend in cocoa with a little boiling water, add a few drops of vanilla essence. Add butter, mix well, adding a little more boiling water if necessary, until icing is smooth. Dip each cake into icing and roll in coconut. Set aside until firm.

Recipe Credit: Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen’s Classic Country Collection

Addit: Flo’s husband Joh Bjelke-Petersen was the longest-serving Premier of Queensland from 8th August, 1968 until 1st December, 1987.