Lamingtons a.k.a. Čupavci

“Coincidences are spiritual puns.” 

Australian icon 'Lamingtons' are known as 'Čupavci' here in Bosnia. The Bosnian version looks the same, however, the recipe requires additional sugar, milk and butter or oil for the cake. Similarly, the chocolate coating requires unsweetened chocolate, sugar, milk and lots of butter. So, the dessert becomes much richer and that's why a small square of it would be more than enough as an accompaniment to the afternoon tea or coffee. However, for the original Australian Lamingtons, you make a simple and light sponge cake and coat the squares with a much lighter icing which basically uses cocoa powder and icing sugar. These little differences make the Australian version much lighter and softer as a result. And the recipe below is for traditional Australian Lamingtons. 

Ingredients

For the Sponge Cake

1/3 cup cornstarch

1/3 cup plain flour

1/3 cup self-raising flour

4 x 60 g eggs

2/3 cup caster sugar

For Coating

2 cups icing sugar

1 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup softened butter

1 tbls hot water (add extra if needed)

2 cups desiccated or shredded coconut to roll in

Directions

for the sponge cake

1. Sift the flour in a medium bowl. Repeat the process three times. 

2. In a separate bowl, crack the eggs and add in the sugar. Mix on high for 6 minutes. The mixture will triple in volume and become smooth and creamy. 

3.  Gradually add the sifted flour into the egg-sugar mixture. Use a spatula and gently fold it through the egg-sugar mixture. Once it's folded through, put in the extra flour and keep repeating the same process until all the flour is gone.

4. Pour the mixture into a rectangular or square baking pan lined with baking paper. 

5. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 25-30 minutes. 

6. Once cooked, leave the cake to cool completely. 

for the chocolate icing

1. In a bowl, add the icing sugar, softened butter, cocoa powder and boiling water.

2. Mix until glossy and smooth using an electric mixer.

for coating

1. Cut up the sponge cake into cubes.

2.Dip the cubes into the chocolate icing.

3. Roll the coated cubes in desiccated or shredded coconut.