It has been a fixture of bake sales and cafes in Australia for more than a century. Now the lamington is making its debut on the British high street as Marks & Spencer launches its own version.
The chain will stock two varieties: a “classic” chocolate and coconut lamington and a caramelised biscuit version, which went viral on social media after being launched by Woolworths in Australia last month. Both will be baked in the UK and sold in packs of two for £4.
The lamington is traditionally a square piece of sponge dipped in chocolate icing and rolled in desiccated coconut. In Australia and New Zealand it is regarded as a national treat and is commonly seen in a raspberry version.
M&S’s take on the classic uses a buttermilk-enriched chocolate sponge coated in chocolate sauce and coconut flakes and finished with jam and buttercream. The caramelised biscuit version swaps coconut for biscuit crumb and is topped with buttercream and salted caramel sauce.
Alice Birch, a product developer for bakery treats at M&S Food, said: “Lamingtons are definitely the most iconic cake from down under and it’s very exciting to be the first to bring our version of this beloved Aussie classic to the UK high street. Ours are extra special – they’re hand-finished with toppings and super indulgent thanks to the rich chocolate sponge and chocolate sauce coating.”
The cake is thought to have originated in Queensland in the 1890s when the chef of the governor, Lord Lamington, is said to have used leftover sponge, chocolate and coconut to feed unexpected guests.
The M&S lamingtons go on sale from Wednesday and are also available on Ocado.