For the number of desserts that get shared here most of them are whole grain or gluten free, many are vegan, and almost all are refined sugar free. This isn’t a bad thing by any means and as much as I love the challenge of flipping recipes, sometimes I just want to make something classic and naughty.
For a while I was making cakes for other people and got to stretch my chocolate–peanut-butter–meringue–raspberry-sauce–cream-cheese–dulce-de-leche–more–chocolate baking muscles on a regular basis – but it’s been slow for a bit.
When RJ saw a Lamington Cake at a cafe recently and said ‘hey, could you make that?‘ I paused only long enough to give him my well practiced ‘are you kidding, of course‘ look before deciding that I needed to do just that for a BBQ we were attending the following day.
I’d been wanting to try out this ultimate vanilla cupcake recipe for quite a while and the impending barbeque was the perfect excuse, but you can use any vanilla cake recipe you choose for these Lamington Cupcakes.
If you are wondering, the one I tried was ok – and you could certainly use it without issue – but I’d recommend my Cosmo Cupcake base instead, simply replacing the juices with milk and adding a bit of extra vanilla. One day I’ll post my own Perfect Vanilla Cupcake recipe here… best hurry up and invite us to a BBQ or birthday celebration so I can make it – haha!
Australia Day is in just a few days time and this quick and easy twist on an Aussie classic is perfect for a long-weekend celebration. If you decided to make them using a gluten-free, vegan, no refined sugar vanilla cake base I won’t hold it against you… but I’d love the recipe, nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Whatever you get up to, best wishes for a Happy Australia Day!
Lamington Cupcakes
Lamingtons are a classic Australian treat but can be fiddly and messy to make. These cupcakes provide all the decadence of chocolate, coconut and fluffy vanilla cake – without all the hassle.
INGREDIENTS:
- 12 Vanilla Cupcakes
- you can use this recipe
- or this one, replacing the juices with milk
- 1/3 c shredded coconut, no sugar added
- 1 batch Chocolate Fudge Glaze, recipe below
METHOD:
Bake vanilla cupcakes and allow to cool.
Place coconut in a shallow bowl – if the shreds are long run a knife through them first to create short pieces.
Spread top of a cupcake with Choc Fudge Glaze, immediately dip in the coconut, put aside to set. Repeat for all cakes.
BONUS: Jam-filled Lamington Cupcakes
- Partially fill cupcake liners with batter, drop a spoonful of raspberry jam into each then cover with remaining batter – you can see an example here.
- Bake, cool, glaze and dip as usual. How easy is that?
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Chocolate Fudge Glaze
Be warned, this Chocolate Fudge Glaze is just about perfect and could be used for coating pretty much anything… including spoons…
INGREDIENTS:
- 50 g [1/4 c] butter, melted and just warm
- 3 Tbsp dutch cocoa powder, sifted
- 1 c icing sugar, sifted
- 1-2 Tbsp warm water
METHOD:
Melt butter in a medium bowl, stir in cocoa powder until smooth. Stir in icing sugar and 1 Tbsp water. The glaze should be thin-ish but not runny. If required, add additional water a little bit at a time.
Depending on the temperature of your kitchen is you may want to place the bowl over a pan of hot water to keep the glaze fluid.
Dip cooled cupcakes into glaze or use a knife to spread it over the tops. Dip in coconut, nuts or sprinkles if you choose. Easy and brilliantly decadent.
Makes enough for 12 cupcakes.
I love lamingtons anything! Great job on the cupcakes too…now I need to invite you over!
Sounds good to me – good company is always an excuse to make cake!
I’ve never tried a lamington but I love these flavors. Beautiful cupcakes! 🙂
This looks easier than making actual lamingtons, thanks for sharing JJ. I might make these for the weekend!
Thanks for sharing the pic of your cakes over on Twitter – fabulous!
Well you didn’t tell me that if I invited you over you’d bake me something like this. When are you free? Yum!
haha next time I’m in QLD we’ll definitely have cake 😉
I like simple that looks stunning. Great idea JJ.
Very cute and so perfect for Aussie Day. Especially jam filled yum!!
Jam always wins
Perfect for Australia Day…they look delish!!! I love when I get suggestions for what to bake…I’m always happy to comply 🙂
They look beautiful and delicious! I wouldn’t think twice about putting jam in the cupcakes 😉
I just had a lamington bite 🙂 love a good old lamington. Perfect twist JJ!
Fabulous idea. Now give me a GF version. lol
What a fantastic idea for Australia day!
Happy belated Australia day. Love this recipe.