Ingredients
Method
For the cake
- Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F.Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with butter/baking/parchment paper.
- Separate egg whites and yolks into two different bowls. Beat egg whites on medium speed till it froth Add half of the sugar (1 tbsp at a time) till well mixed. Keep beating the egg whites till stiff peaks are formed.
- Add the remaining sugar and vanilla essence to egg yolks and beat on high speed till well mixed and the batter should be pale yellow.
- Add 1/3rd of egg whites to the yolk mixture. Gently combine with a spatula. Add the yolk mixture to the egg white mixture and gently combine with a spatula so as not to deflate the egg whites.
- Add sifted all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt (1 tbsp at a time). Mix gently with a spatula till well combined.
- Add vegetable oil. Again gently mix with a spatula.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking tin and bake for about 25-33 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.
- Leave the cake in the tin for about 10 minutes before placing the cake onto a wire rack to cool
- Using a serrated knife (ideally a long, serrated bread knife), cut the cake into 16 squares, or whatever size you wish.
For the chocolate icing
- Into a small saucepan add milk, butter, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar. Cook on medium flame. Whisk till all ingredients are well combined. Allow the mixture to come to a boil.
- Pour the mixture into a bowl containing chopped dark chocolate. Mix till the chocolate completely melts. The icing needs to be thick enough to coat the cakes, but runny enough to only leave a light coating.
- Leave till it slightly cools down (should be warm but not hot).
To assemble
- Pour the desiccated coconut onto a large plate.
- Using two forks, dip a piece of sponge into the chocolate mixture, making sure that all sides are coated, and allow any excess icing to drain off.
- Then roll the chocolate-coated cake in the desiccated coconut, and place the lamington on a wire rack to dry.
- Repeat with the remaining pieces.
- Place the lamingtons in the fridge for 20-30 minutes.
Notes
- Notes:-
- Ensure the eggs are at room temperature for proper mixing.
- After the addition of stiff egg whites mix with a spatula to maintain the airiness.
- Properly measure the flour to maintain the texture of the cake. Either use a scale or spoons of flour to fill the cup.
- Sift the dry ingredients such as all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt together to ensure even distribution which leads to an even rise.
- Add the dry ingredients in batches to avoid over-mixing and maintain airiness.
