Soft Lamington Layer Cake

My Lamington Cake is a soft and fluffy layer cake filled with Chantilly cream, fresh raspberry jam and covered in an easy chocolate glaze and shredded coconut. It’s inspired by the classic aussie lamington, usually a square sponge but in

Hey team, Nick here. As a kid, I could smash a pack of jam-filled lamingtons without thinking. That soft sponge was everything. It’s what I really wanted to get right with this recipe. In fact, it’s the same one I use in my classic lamingtons and my new vanilla cake. It’s soft, moist and stays that way for days. It uses the hot milk method which I’m really excited to let you guys know more about below!

The thing is, yes, you could eat the classic square version, but if you want to take thing up a notch, let’s say by two layers, this bakery level layer cake is for you. It’s got the perfect ratio of my home made jam, my Chantilly cream and fluffy vanilla sponge. It’s all covered in a one-bowl chocolate glaze helps balance everything out and the coconut helps add flavor and crunch!

If you share my obsession for lamingtons, then good news, I have a Raspberry Lamington version of this cake bursting with jammy goodness and I have a Lamington Swiss Roll cake which I think you’ll love too!

Why you should make your own raspberry jam for this cake

Store-bought jam works for this cake, but to me, the flavor just doesn’t compare. My home-made raspberry jam is bright, tangy and lets the raspberries shine. It also gives the cake a fresher color that looks amazing when sliced.

Tip: Make it the day before so it has time to set. It only takes 5 minutes on the stove with raspberries, sugar, lemon juice and salt. Let it cool, then pop it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.

My Soft Vanilla Sponge is perfect for this cake!

That’s because it’s soft, fluffy and holds its shape, all thanks to a method I swear by: the hot milk method.

It involves warming milk and butter together before adding it to the batter, which helps dissolve the sugar and gives the sponge a finer, more tender crumb.

Here’s the Vanilla Cake how it comes together:

• Whip eggs and sugar until pale and thick
• Fold in the dry ingredients
• Pour in the warm milk, butter, oil and vanilla
• Bake until golden and springy
• Trim cooled cakes using a cake leveler for nice even layers!

Tip: You can make the sponge up to two days ahead. Just wrap it tightly once cooled and keep it at room temperature until you’re ready to assemble.

The chocolate glaze comes together in one-bowl

And trust me, it’s nothing like those thin lamington coatings. This glaze is thick, glossy and has a deep chocolate flavor that balances the jam perfectly. Plus, it’s super easy to work with and comes together in one bowl!

You can make it in the microwave or over a double boiler. I prefer the stovetop because it melts everything slowly and gives a smoother finish.

Tip: Let the glaze cool until it’s just warm before pouring it on the cake. If you make it ahead, reheat it gently until pourable again.

The easiest Chantilly cream you’ll ever make

It’s so easy, and so stable and fluffy and it’s because I use mascarpone. I know, not a traditional Chantilly cream, but frankly, better.

I prefer whisking this by hand. It doesn’t take long if the ingredients are cold. You can sweeten it, by why do that? That cake has enough sweetness. This adds more fluff and a boost of creaminess.

Tip: can make a day ahead, just whisk until stiff peaks again.

Putting it all together is easy!

• Place the trimmed cakes on a cooling rack set over a baking tray to catch the excess. Pour the chocolate glaze over the top and use a spatula to spread it evenly over the surface and sides.
• Sprinkle the cakes with shredded coconut for the best crunch and contrast. Desiccated works too, but I prefer shredded. Chill for 20 minutes to set, then use a spatula to lift the first layer off the rack and place it chocolate side down on your serving plate.

• Spread the jam on top of your first layer
• Fill a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip and pipe a ring of cream around the edge of the cake. Fill the center with more cream and use a spatula to smooth the middle flat.

• Lastly, I added the next layer of cake chocolate side facing up.

Tip: If you’re using store-bought jam, spread the cream gently as it can slide around. My thick homemade raspberry jam stays put.

That first slice is all about the layers. Soft sponge, jam, cream and chocolate in one bite. I know you’re going to love every forkful as much as I do.

Soft Lamington Layer Cake

This soft Lamington Cake has moist vanilla sponge, glossy chocolate glaze and fluffy Chantilly cream. A nostalgic Australian dessert in cake form.

Serves 12

4.3 from 20 votes

Author: Nick Makrides

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep: 20 minutes mins

Cook: 45 minutes mins

Total: 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Australian

Calories: 898kcal

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Ingredients

Soft Vanilla Cake

• ▢ 330 g all-purpose flour, plain flour
• ▢ 3 tsp baking powder
• ▢ 3/4 tsp salt
• ▢ 4 large eggs, 55g each, room temperature
• ▢ 310 g caster sugar / superfine sugar, see notes
• ▢ 245 g milk, full fat
• ▢ 90 g unsalted butter, cubed
• ▢ 50 g vegetable oil, can use canola oil
• ▢ 14 g vanilla extract
• ▢ 200 g shredded coconut, to decorate cake
• ▢ 1 batch home-made raspberry jam, 200g

Chocolate Glaze

• ▢ 400 g dark cooking chocolate, see notes
• ▢ 60 g unsalted butter
• ▢ 20 g brown sugar, see notes
• ▢ 20 g glucose syrup, see notes
• ▢ 250 g heavy cream, see notes

Chantilly Cream

• ▢ 300 g heavy cream, cold (see notes)
• ▢ 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract, see notes
• ▢ 250 g mascarpone, cold (see notes)
• ▢ 40 g powdered sugar, sifted (see notes)

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Instructions

Soft Vanilla Cake

• Preparing your oven – Preheat your oven to 170C / 340F (fan off), 150C / 300F (fan on). I like baking with the fan on for an even rise. Position your rack in the middle of the oven.
• Preparing your cake tins – Spray the bottom (not sides) of two 20cm / 8-inch cake tins with oil spray and line the bottom with baking paper. I prefer just rubbing cold butter on the cake tins for better flavor.
• Combine dry ingredients – In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• Beat the eggs and sugar – Add the eggs to a large mixing bowl (glass or metal), and use an electric hand mixer to beat until frothy, about 1 minute. A stand mixer with a whisk attachment also works. With the mixer on medium-high speed, add the sugar a spoonful at a time. It’ll take about a minute. Once all the sugar is added, keep beating on medium-high speed for 6 minutes until the mixture is pale, thickened, and tripled in size.
• Add dry ingredients to egg mixture – Add half the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. Repeat with the rest. The batter will be thick. Avoid overmixing the batter, small lumps are fine, they’ll disappear in the next step.
• Heat milk and butter – Heat the milk and butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously, until it reaches about 60C/140F or small bubbles form around the edges. Do not let it boil. Alternatively, you can also do this in a heatproof jug in the microwave. Mine takes about 90 seconds for the butter to melt.
• Add hot milk – Add half the hot milk mixture, along with the oil and vanilla. Mix on low speed until combined. Add the rest of the milk mixture and mix again until smooth. The batter will be thin and pour in a steady ribbon.
• Divide the batter – Divide the batter evenly between the two cake tins. It works out to about 600g in each tin. Tap each tin on the counter a couple times to release any air bubbles.
• Bake – Bake on the middle rack for 30–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The cakes should be deep golden and spring back when lightly touched. If they sink and don’t spring back, bake for a couple more minutes.
• Cool the cakes – Let them cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edges to loosen. Transfer to a cooling rack, placing them baking paper side down, and let them cool completely.
• To level off the cake (optional) – Use a large, serrated knife or cake leveler to very top of each cake to level it off. This is completely optional. The cake bakes pretty flat anyway.

Chocolate Sauce (Microwave Method)

• Add the dark chocolate, butter, brown sugar, glucose syrup and heavy cream to a large, microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high, for 20 seconds at a time, mixing well between each interval until smooth. Allow to cool completely but still at a pouring consistency.

Chocolate Sauce (Double Boiler Method)

• To make the chocolate sauce over a double boiler, simply add the dark chocolate, butter, brown sugar and heavy cream to a large heatproof bowl. Place the bowl on top of a pot of gently simmering water making the sure the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water. Stir until melted. Take off the heat and allow to cool completely but still at a pouring consistency.

Chantilly Cream

• Prepare mascarpone cheese – Add the mascarpone to a large mixing bowl (glass or metal) and use a spatula to stir and break up as some brands can be firmer than others. This helps break it up a little to prevent lumps in your whipped cream.
• Whip remaining ingredients – Add the cold heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla to the mascarpone. You can use an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer with a whisk attachment to whip to stiff peaks. I find it easier to get the right texture with a hand whisk. You’re aiming for a smooth, stiff whipped cream that holds its shape but still looks silky. If it looks split or grainy, it’s been overwhipped.

To Assemble

• Cover the sponges – Set a cooling rack over a baking tray to catch the excess glaze. Place both cake layers on the rack. Pour the glaze over each one, then use a spatula to spread it over the top and sides. While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle the top and sides with coconut. Let the cakes sit for 20 minutes so the glaze can set.
• To layer the cake – Place one cake layer on a cake board or serving plate. Spoon the raspberry jam on top and spread it out, leaving a small border. Add about three quarters of the Chantilly cream and gently spread it over the jam. The cream might slip around a bit, so take your time. Once the jam settles into the sponge, it will hold better. Place the second cake layer on top with the coconut-covered side facing up.

Notes

Chocolate – make sure you use good quality dark chocolate. Something with at least 70% cocoa solids in it. I use the Nestle Bakers’ Choice Dark Choc Melts. A Lindt chocolate would also work but it’s much more expensive

Brown sugar – you can use dark or light in this recipe. Both will work. If you’re making a white chocolate sauce with this recipe using white chocolate, swap the brown sugar out for equal parts caster sugar or leave it out.

Glucose syrup – also known as corn syrup is what’s going to help make your sauce glossy and stop it from crystalizing and lessen the chances of it splitting.

Caster sugar – also known as superfine sugar is ideal for this cake as it dissolves into the eggs quickly which will prevent overmixing. Alternatively, you can use granulated sugar or even pulse granulated sugar in a food processor until it’s finer.

Cream – for the Chantilly cream, make sure you use cream labelled heavy cream for this recipe. Whipping cream will work but won’t be as stiff as heavy cream. Low fat cream will not work.

Powdered sugar – I don’t like my cream too sweet, but if you like yours on the sweeter side you can use up to 1/2 cup. Make sure you sift it!

Mascarpone – is an Italian cheese that is similar in flavor to sour cream, but more creamy and less sour. Adding it to your Chantilly cream helps stabilize it so that it doesn’t melt as quickly and holds its shape on top of desserts. It even helps hold the air in the whipped cream until the next day! Opt in for a better brand one as they tend to be thicker and make sure it’s cold straight out of the fridge! Make sure you give your mascarpone cheese a mix before using. Some brands are soft, some are firm and can cause your Chantilly cream to go lumpy.

Vanilla – I have a great recipe for Vanilla extract here on the blog which is alcohol based. It can be used for most recipes. However, I would advise against using it for whipped creams (yes, even stabilized ones like this one) or meringues as it can muck around with the air whipped in the mixtures. Instead use a syrup based vanilla extract. I find vanilla bean paste is best

Storage – … can be stored in an airtight container, in the fridge for up to three days.

Nutrition – is an approximate and is based on per …

A note on measurements – This recipe uses weight measurements for the most accurate results. Cup measurements can vary depending on where you are, which affects the precision needed for a recipe like this. Here is where you can learn more about how to measure ingredients using digital kitchen scales.

Nutrition

Calories : 898kcal

Carbonhydrates: 78g

Protein: 12g

Fat: 64g

Saturated Fat: 42g

Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g

Monounsaturated Fat : 13g

Trans Fat : 0.4g

Cholesterol: 164mg

Sodium: 317mg

Potassium : 223mg

Fiber: 7g

Sugar : 47g

Vitamin A: 1398IU

Vitamin C: 1mg

Calcium: 165mg

Iron: 2mg

Nutrition Disclosure

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