Lamington Cake

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 20 cm (8”) round cake tin with baking parchment.

2. Prepare the Sponge Cake

In a saucepan, pour 100 millilitres of milk and heat until warm. Add 100 grams of unsalted butter and let it melt. Once the butter has melted, set it aside to cool to room temperature.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift together 200 grams of plain flour, 2 tablespoons of baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Set it aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat 4 eggs and 200 grams of caster sugar with a hand or stand mixer at high speed until pale, thick, and tripled in volume. This takes about 5-7 minutes.

Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and gently mix in the dry ingredients in 2-3 batches, being careful not to deflate the mixture. Finally, incorporate the milk-butter mixture.

3. Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared baking tin and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the baking tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Prepare the Chocolate Coating

Heat 150 millilitres of whipping cream in a saucepan until it is just below boiling point. Add 200 grams of chopped chocolate and let it rest for 1 minute. Then stir until a smooth mixture forms. Allow the chocolate mixture to cool slightly so it thickens but is still pourable.

5. Cook the Raspberries

Place 150 grams of raspberries in a saucepan with two tablespoons of sugar (adjust depending on the sweetness of the berries). Cook them over medium heat until they begin to break down and release their juices.

Dissolve 2 teaspoons of cornstarch in a little cold water (about 1-2 tablespoons). This will prevent lumps from forming. Stir in the raspberries and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy. This should only take a few minutes.

Let the raspberry mixture cool completely before incorporating it into the cake.

6. Prepare the Mascarpone Filling

In a mixing bowl, mix 250 grams of Mascarpone cheese with 30 grams of icing sugar until smooth. In a separate bowl, beat 200 millilitres of whipping cream until stiff.

Gently fold the whipped cream into the Mascarpone mixture. Store in the refrigerator until ready for use.

7. Assemble the Cake

Cut the cooled cake horizontally into two even layers. Place both layers, cut side down, on a plate or platter. Distribute the chocolate coating evenly between the layers, ensuring the sides are also covered with chocolate.

Sprinkle with the desiccated coconut and let it set briefly. Then place the bottom layer, cut side up, on a serving plate.

Distribute the raspberry mixture evenly on the bottom layer and top it with a layer of Mascarpone filling.

Carefully place the top layer on the Mascarpone filling.

8. Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the Lamington Cake for at least 1 hour to allow the filling and coating to set. Serve chilled for neat, clean slices.

Tips for Perfect Lamington Cake

Here are some tips to make your Lamington Cake even more delicious:

Room Temperature Eggs: Make sure the eggs are at room temperature before you start. This helps achieve maximum volume when whipping.

Clean Cut: Using a sharp serrated knife will help you cut through the cake cleanly without applying too much pressure that could cause it to slip.

Stabilize the Filling: If the Mascarpone filling feels too soft, mix in a small amount of cream cheese or a teaspoon of dissolved gelatin for extra stability.

Serving: Slice the cake with a sharp, warm knife for clean cuts, wiping the blade between slices for a polished presentation.

Variations

Here are some delicious variations you can try to put your own spin on Lamington Cake:

Flavour Enhancements: Infuse the sponge batter with a touch of lemon zest or almond extract to give it a complementary flavour.

Filling Alternative: Substitute whipped cream cheese for Mascarpone for a tangier filling.

Seasonal Spins: In winter, use a spiced orange filling (Mascarpone with orange zest and a pinch of cinnamon). In summer, try tropical flavours like passion fruit or pineapple jam with a layer of cream.

Related Recipes

Looking for more simple yet delicious cake recipes? Check out the following recipes:

Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Harmony Duet Cake

Marble Bundt Cake

Conclusion

This Lamington Cake has the nostalgia of a traditional Lamington with the added bonus of a luxurious Mascarpone and raspberry filling. Its unique appearance and balanced flavours make it an excellent addition to any dessert table, combining simplicity and sophistication in one delicious creation.