When I saw I was assigned Claire K Creations this month for the Secret Recipe Club, I was excited because she is from Australia and has a completely different collection of recipes, with some unusual (for Americans) fun ones.
I had a lot of fun wandering around her site and saw a dozen recipes that were calling to me, including her Chocolate Honey Jumbles, Chocolate Spiced Shortbread Stars, and Tennessee Honey Chocolate Cake. But the moment I saw her Lamington Whoopie Pies I knew that was the recipe I needed to make.
Lamingtons are a classic Australian/New Zealand sweet dessert traditionally made with a vanilla-flavored sponge cake which is cut into squares, frosted with a thin layer of chocolate icing, and then sprinkled or dipped into coconut. Usually served as is, they can also be sandwiched together with a layer of sweet cream filling in between. If you’ve had something similar that is called a Coconut Bar or Cleveland Bar, those are American versions of the Lamington.
I was first introduced to Lamingtons at one of our favorite bakeries, Bakesale Betty’s in Oakland. If you’ve never been there, you must go. Her fried chicken sandwiches are legendary as are her baked goods. Alison Barakat, co-owner and executive chef is an Australian native and Chez Panisse alum and started selling her baked goods at local farmers’ markets, which is where The Artist and I first discovered her.
Alison and her husband Michael were so successful, with a fun, kitschy style, that when she announced she was opening a brick and mortar business we both knew it would be a success. Bakesale Betty’s is the place to grab a snack, quick bite and some dessert. Don’t miss their amazing homemade pies, cookies, scones and other delights. She sells out quickly so go early!
We have an Aussie friend Christina, and when I told her about these whoopie pies, she got so excited! Her father is in town visiting her, so I will be sharing these with them, in honor of their homeland. I can’t wait to see their faces when they try them!!
Most of us grew up with whoopie pies and remember the uber sweet versions. I love what Claire did by replacing the traditional marshmallow filling with a simpler sweetened buttercream filling. This really allows the chocolate and coconut to shine. What a brilliant way to incorporate the traditional flavors of the Lamingtons with an American classic. Claire, you are my hero!
Happy Chocolate Monday everyone!!!
- Cakes
- 115g / 4 oz / 1 stick butter softened
- 200g / 7 oz soft brown sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 300g / 10.5 oz / 2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour or gluten-free all-purpose blend
- 1-1/4 tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 225ml / 8 oz / 1 cup buttermilk
- Filling
- 3 tbsp butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups / 16 oz powdered sugar, or as needed
- Pinch salt
- Milk, as needed
- Decorations/Toppings
- 200g / 7 oz dark chocolate
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- Preheat the oven to 170°C / 350°F convection and line two baking trays with parchment paper.
- Make the Whoopie Pies: Using an electric stand mixer fitted with the blade attachment, beat the butter and sugar together creaming them until thick and creamy. Add the egg and mix until combined.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking soda. Whisk until completely blended. Add to the creamed butter/sugar mixture in two additions, beating in between each addition until completely incorporated and scraping the bowl before you add the second half. When it is ready, it will clean the sides of the bowl and clump together on the beater blade. Add the buttermilk and mix until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Use a spring-loaded ice-cream scoop batter onto the prepared baking trays making sure you leave 2 inches between each one. The scoop helps make sure your cakes are evenly sized making them easier to match and sandwich together later.
- Smooth out the tops with your damp finger (or use the back of a spoon) and even them out so they’re all the same height and nice, round balls of dough.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they’re firm, transferring them from the top rack to the bottom and spinning the trays front to back halfway through baking. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Toppings: Place the chocolate in a heatproof shallow bowl and melt in the microwave in 10 second bursts, stirring between each heating. When most of the pieces have melted, remove from the microwave and set on the counter. Continue to stir occasionally until all the pieces are melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the coconut in a shallow bowl.
- Dip the rounded tops of half the whoopie pies into the chocolate, allowing any excess to drip off or scrape lightly against the edge of the bowl. Place them back on the wire racks, chocolate side up, sprinkle liberally with the coconut and let sit until set. NOTE: You can dip all of the pies into the chocolate, ending up with chocolate and coconut on the top and bottom, but those are messier to eat. I chose to only dip the top portion of mine. Whichever you prefer is fine.
- Make the Filling: Beat the butter until smooth, creamy and pale and then beat in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the icing sugar and beat until mixed in. Add a little milk, 1 tsp at a time, to get the icing to spreadable consistency.
- To Assemble: Spread the flat side of the un-dipped whoopie pies with the filling mixture, dividing it evenly. (Or if you are dipping rounded tops of all whoopies, spread filling on half of them.) Top with a chocolate-dipped half and sandwich them together. Enjoy immediately or within a few hours.
- Yield: 6 to 7 large whoopie pies (14 individual cakes)
- Make Ahead: If you want to bake the cakes ahead, you can. Cool them completely, wrap tightly in plastic and store in the refrigerator. Store up to 1 day in the refrigerator. Return to room temperature before dipping, filling and assembling.
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Thank You!
Claire @ Claire K Creations
Yay I’m so glad you liked them! A bit of an Aussie twist on an American treat I think!
Jane Bonacci, The Heritage Cook
Not only did we love them, but my Aussie friend adored them too! These were a big hit all the way around!! Thanks for a really fun recipes Claire!
Kate | Food Babbles
Oh my goodness, this looks fantastic!!! Just crazy good. Yum!
Micha @ Cookin' Mimi
These look great, Jane. I love the combination of chocolate and coconut.
Jane Bonacci, The Heritage Cook
I’m with you Micha – anything that has chocolate and coconut always catches my attention, LOL!
Louise
Heavenly, Jane! Simply heavenly!
Thank you so much for sharing…
Jane Bonacci, The Heritage Cook
I have to agree with you Louise – these truly are heavenly! I just took the last of them over to a friend’s house and even several days after baking, they were still delicious!
Katrina
Yum, Mounds Whoopie Pies, since I’ve never heard them called lamingtons, mmmm.
Jane Bonacci, The Heritage Cook
They are a little like a Mounds bar Katrina. It didn’t dawn on me because I was so focused on the Lamington flavors, but you’re right!
Leigh
Love the name of these! I’m a huge fan of lamingtons, but never had whoopie pie. Must try now!
Jane Bonacci, The Heritage Cook
This is a really beautiful blending of two country’s favorites!!
sara
These look awesome! I love Bakesale Betty but I’ve never noticed that they had Lamingtons…I must have been too hung up on the fried chicken sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies. 🙂 Will definitely be checking them out next time I’m there!
Jane Bonacci, The Heritage Cook
I know it is really hard to get past her chicken sandwiches, but make sure you give her baked goods a try too! She is an Aussie and loves her Lamingtons!
Sweet as Sugar Cookies
Those whoopie pies look like one sweet, yummy treat.
Jane Bonacci, The Heritage Cook
Hi Lisa – they are so good, I know you’ll love them too!!