If you have a soft spot for nostalgic treats but crave a little extra wow factor, you are going to adore this Fairy Bread Lamingtons Recipe. It takes the beloved Aussie party favorite, fairy bread, and transforms it into playful, bite-sized lamingtons bursting with whimsical color and delightful texture. Imagine tender sponge cake cubes slathered in sweet raspberry jam and fluffy mascarpone cream, dipped in a glossy vanilla glaze, and rolled generously in rainbow sprinkles—each bite a joyful celebration. This recipe is a guaranteed way to brighten up any gathering or simply treat yourself to a piece of edible happiness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together simply, yet each is essential in creating the perfect balance of textures and flavors in your Fairy Bread Lamingtons Recipe. From the buttery sponge to the creamy filling and bright, colorful coating, every component plays a delicious role.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness to the cake and a smooth texture to the glaze, so avoid salted varieties here.
- Milk: Keeps the sponge moist and tender, making every bite light and fluffy.
- Cake flour: This ensures a soft, delicate crumb perfect for soaking up fillings.
- Baking powder: Gives the sponge a gentle lift for that perfect airy texture.
- Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the flavors and balance sweetness.
- Eggs and egg whites: The eggs provide structure, while added whites help create a light sponge.
- Caster sugar: Finely ground to dissolve easily, it sweetens the cake and cream without graininess.
- Heavy cream: Whipped to stiff peaks, it forms the luscious base of the filling.
- Mascarpone cheese: Gives the filling a rich and creamy texture with a touch of tang.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warm aromatic notes that elevate both the filling and glaze.
- Raspberry jam: Tart and sweet, it introduces bursts of flavor that contrast beautifully with the cream.
- Powdered sugar: Used in the glaze for a silky smooth coating that sticks to the sprinkles.
- Boiling water: Helps dissolve the powdered sugar for a glossy glaze consistency.
- 100’s & 1000’s (rainbow sprinkles): The star of the show, providing crunch, color, and that unmistakable fairy bread charm.
How to Make Fairy Bread Lamingtons Recipe
Step 1: Bake the Perfect Sponge
Start by preheating your oven to 355°F (180°C) and prepping a 9×9-inch baking pan with oil spray and parchment paper for a non-stick finish. Gently microwave the butter and milk together until the butter melts, then let this mixture cool slightly. Meanwhile, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt to keep the cake light and free of lumps. In a stand mixer, beat the eggs and sugar until fluffy and pale—this airy base is what makes the sponge so tender. Gradually add the dry ingredients, then the cooled milk mixture, folding carefully to maintain that airiness. Pour the batter into your pan and bake for 20 minutes until golden and springy to the touch. Let the cake cool completely before moving on—this is key for easier cutting and assembly.
Step 2: Cut and Prepare the Layers
Once the cake is cool, carefully slice it into evenly sized cubes. These little cake bites will become the base for your lamingtons, so aim for consistency to ensure each piece is perfectly portioned. Having the cubes ready sets you up for smooth assembly of the filling and coating layers.
Step 3: Whip Up the Creamy Filling
To make that dreamy filling, whip together heavy cream, mascarpone cheese, caster sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. This combination creates a rich yet light cream that perfectly complements the sponge and the tart raspberry jam. The smooth texture will make every bite feel indulgent yet balanced.
Step 4: Assemble the Lamingtons
Spread a generous layer of raspberry jam between your cake cubes and top with a dollop of the whipped cream filling. This luscious combination inside ensures every bite bursts with flavor and moisture, elevating the humble sponge to a totally irresistible treat. Press the layers gently to secure, but keep them light and fluffy—this is the heart of the Fairy Bread Lamingtons Recipe.
Step 5: Prepare the Glaze and Coat
Combine powdered sugar with boiling water, vanilla extract, and butter, whisking until smooth and glossy for the perfect dip glaze. Then, one by one, coat each assembled lamington in this sweet vanilla glaze before rolling it generously in rainbow 100’s & 1000’s sprinkles. The sprinkles add that signature crunch and vibrant color, making your lamingtons as beautiful as they are delicious. Let them set briefly, then you’re ready to enjoy!
How to Serve Fairy Bread Lamingtons Recipe
Garnishes
While the colorful sprinkles are the star, feel free to jazz up your lamingtons with a light dusting of edible glitter or even some finely chopped pistachios for a nutty contrast. Fresh raspberries on the side add a lovely pop of natural tartness and coordinate beautifully with the jam inside.
Side Dishes
These little lamingtons work perfectly alongside a cup of rich hot chocolate or a chilled glass of fruity rosé. For a party spread, pair them with fresh fruit platters or simple finger sandwiches to balance the sweetness. Their playful vibe ensures they’re a crowd-pleaser no matter the occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Fairy Bread Lamingtons Recipe treats stacked like a colorful pyramid on a decorative cake stand, or serve them individually in mini cupcake liners for an elegant touch. Wrapping each in small parchment squares with a festive tie creates charming party favors that guests will adore taking home.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover lamingtons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This helps maintain the cream’s freshness and keeps the sprinkles crisp. Before serving again, let them come to room temperature for the best flavor experience.
Freezing
You can freeze the assembled lamingtons by wrapping each one individually in plastic wrap, then placing them in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator to protect the delicate cream filling and prevent sogginess.
Reheating
Since these are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, avoid reheating. If you want to soften the glaze slightly, allow them to rest at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes after taking from the fridge.
FAQs
Can I use regular flour instead of cake flour?
While cake flour produces a softer sponge, you can substitute with all-purpose flour by removing 2 tablespoons per cup and replacing them with cornstarch to lighten the texture. This tweak helps keep your lamingtons tender.
Is there a dairy-free option for the filling?
Yes, swapping the heavy cream for coconut cream and using a dairy-free cream cheese alternative works beautifully. The texture and flavor will be slightly different but still delicious and creamy.
How do I prevent the sprinkles from falling off?
The key is coating the lamingtons in a sticky vanilla glaze while it’s still wet and then immediately rolling in sprinkles. Allowing them to set completely before handling also helps keep those colorful bits firmly in place.
Can I make these lamingtons gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use a gluten-free cake flour blend in place of regular cake flour, making sure it contains xanthan gum to help with structure. The taste and texture will be just as delightful.
What is the best way to serve these at a party?
Arrange them on a pretty platter or tiered stand and provide cocktail picks for easy grabbing. Their bite-sized nature makes them perfect for mingling without mess.
Final Thoughts
If you want to add a slice of childhood magic with a grown-up twist to your dessert table, I cannot recommend trying this Fairy Bread Lamingtons Recipe enough. It’s cheerful, indulgent, and surprisingly simple to make. Your friends and family will love the playful flavors and festive colors as much as you will love sharing this joyful treat. So roll up your sleeves and sprinkle on that happiness—this recipe is pure fun on a plate!
PrintFairy Bread Lamingtons Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours (including cooling and assembly)
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
Description
Fairy Bread Lamingtons are a whimsical twist on the classic Australian lamington, combining soft sponge cake squares layered with raspberry jam and mascarpone cream, then coated in a sweet vanilla glaze and rolled in colorful rainbow sprinkles. This delightful dessert is perfect for parties and celebrations, offering a fun and colorful treat that kids and adults alike will love.
Ingredients
For the Sponge Cake
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup milk
- 2 cups cake flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 large eggs, plus 3 egg whites
- 1 cup caster sugar
For the Filling
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup mascarpone cheese
- 1 tbsp caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup raspberry jam
For the Coating
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup boiling water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cups 100’s & 1000’s sprinkles (rainbow sprinkles)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 355°F (180°C) and prepare a 9×9-inch baking pan by spraying it with oil and lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Melt butter and milk: Microwave the butter and milk together until the butter has fully melted, then set this mixture aside to cool slightly so it doesn’t cook the eggs later on.
- Mix dry ingredients and beat eggs: In a bowl, whisk together cake flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate mixer bowl, beat the 3 whole eggs, 3 egg whites, and caster sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy for a tender cake.
- Combine mixtures and bake: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the egg mixture followed by the cooled butter and milk mixture, mixing just until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and cut cake: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan, then carefully remove and cut into cubes for assembling the lamingtons.
- Make the filling: In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream, mascarpone cheese, caster sugar, and vanilla extract together until stiff peaks form, making a rich and fluffy cream for the filling.
- Assemble layers: Spread a layer of raspberry jam between two cake cubes, then add a generous dollop of the whipped mascarpone cream inside, effectively sandwiching the cubes with the filling.
- Prepare sugar glaze: In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, boiling water, vanilla extract, and 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter until it forms a smooth glaze suitable for coating the cake pieces.
- Coat and decorate lamingtons: Dip each filled cake cube into the sugar glaze to fully coat, then immediately roll in the colorful 100’s & 1000’s sprinkles to create the iconic, fun fairy bread appearance. Let them set slightly before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled before cutting to maintain clean edges.
- The whipped cream mixture should be made fresh and kept chilled until assembling to hold its shape well.
- Use rainbow sprinkles generously to get the authentic fairy bread look.
- Store assembled lamingtons in the refrigerator and consume within 2 days for best freshness.
- You can substitute raspberry jam with other berry jams or preserves based on your preference.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Australian