COCONUT CAKE SQUARES (LAMINGTONS)
Delicate little white cakes dipped in chocolate and rolled in finely shredded coconut. Little bites of heaven!
I had my first taste of a heaven a few years ago during the holidays at my friend Sandi’s home. She’s my friend who also shared the Homemade Sourdough Ranch Pretzels, Texas Caviar and Fiesta Corn Salsa recipes. Sandi shared this yummy dessert again at her last barbecue. These tasty little beauties reminded me of a dessert Natalie of NorthShore Days from New Zealand, and Mel of Mellywood’s Mansion from Australia, are always raving about – little sponge cakes dipped in chocolate icing and rolled in coconut called Lamingtons. After getting the Coconut Cake Squares recipe, I did a quick Google search….it turns out they are LAMINGTONS! Now I understand the love fest these two have for this wonderful dessert. Delicate, delicious, oh so good.
Coconut Cake Squares (Lamingtons)
- 1 Box of White Cake – Bake according to package in a 9×13 baking dish lined with foil and sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
- 1 cup Hershey’s Cocoa (unsweetened)
- 1 1/4 cup Sugar
- 2 cups Water
- 2 cups Fine Macaroon Coconut
Directions – (see important tips below)
In a sauce pan, mix cocoa, sugar and water and bring to a boil over low heat. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring often (mixture will be thin). Cool to room temperature.
Next, remove cake from freezer and cut into squares or bars. Dip the squares one by one in the chocolate mixture, completely coating the cakes, then place on cooling rack to drain.
Next, roll the cakes in coconut, being sure to coat the entire surface of the squares well. Place finished cakes in tupperware or on a cookie sheet or baking dish – be sure to line whatever you use with wax paper. You can stack the coconut squares by placing wax paper in between the layers. Place cakes back in freezer. Remove from freezer 30 minutes before serving. ENJOY!
Cut the cake while it’s still frozen. Remove the frozen cake from the pan by grabbing the foil, lifting and placing it on a flat surface for cutting (cookie sheet or cutting board).
When working with the cake squares, you need to move fast! You want to work with the cake while it’s frozen, otherwise the cake will start to fall apart when dipping. Try doing FOUR at a time – dip in chocolate mixture, drain and quickly roll them in coconut. Two forks work great when dipping and rolling them. Also, place some wax paper or paper towel under your cooling rack to catch the chocolate dripping below.
You can bake the cake a few days ahead of making the bars. You can also make the chocolate mixture a day head and store it in the fridge. Be sure to stir well before dipping.
These cakes are pretty easy to make and so darn good. If you make them, please stop by and let me know what you think.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Cheers!