Re-Inventing the Lamington: A Competition and Series

'Well,' I thought to myself. 'What better way to start off the new year than with a baking competition? And one with a fabulous prize.'

This time last year I was busy planning my trip to Australia. I hadn't wanted to go at first (it was Mr. Other P's big idea), and so I made sure I spent a while reading up on what to do, and more importantly (if you're me), where and what to eat.

I wasn't disappointed; I ate some of the best food I've ever had in my life on that trip. People of Oz: you have much to be happy about. The fresh fish, wine (Red Hill Winery, I love you too much!) and fruit in particular were amazing, and I make versions of the dishes I ate in some restaurants all the time now, at home (bringing a touch of NSW to SW, if you will). But when it comes to cake, Australia let me down.

Don't think I'm hating on Australia though. No Sir. Places like this,
in St. Kilda, Melbourne, make A-M-A-Z-I-N-G cakes.

There was one food item I couldn't wait to sample: the Lamington. Chocolate coated sandwiches of vanilla sponge cake, dipped in dessicated coconut - really, we're talking about cake heaven. But that's not what I got. Nope, instead, I more often than not got stale cake, artificial tasting 'chocolate' coating, and dry-as-a-bone coconut. Blech. They weren't all bad, but of all the Lamingtons I tried, none exactly blew my mind.

I love Polish cheesecake!

I remember that they had Lamingtons in Neighbours once, and didn't really think much of them; they just looked like chocolate cake. But last year, Mr. Other P said that one of his colleagues, who's an Aussie, brought some in for Australia Day (January 26), and that they were delicious. So I planned, after sampling the real thing on my trip, to make some this year. And I am still going to: on each of the 10 days leading up to Australia Day, I am going to post a different Lamington recipe. Only I am going to re-invent them. The Lamington, you see, has great potential.

And this is where you come in!

I am challenging you to come up with a recipe for Lamingtons with a difference. They could be crazy-flavoured Lamingtons, Lamingtons with an interesting shape or texture, Lamingtons made from something that isn't cake... Do whatever you like! The winner will get an amazing prize, which in an ideal world, would be something Australian, but since I live in Cardiff is going to be something Welsh. And kitchen-related. No, it isn't a love spoon (sorry). It's this:



Tell me you aren't amazed to see a Welsh dragon shaped cookie cutter? I will not believe you. I have never seen these anywhere except for the 'Kitchens' store in Cardiff, so we really are talking about a rather exciting prize to be won. And it can be yours. Here's how:

1. Come up with a Lamington recipe. Bake it, and photograph the results.
2. If you have a blog, write a post about it (I am going to do a post linking to all entrants on Australia Day) and send me a link. The contact email address is at the top of the page, or you can leave a comment on this post, with a link in it.
3. If you don't have a blog, you can still enter: just email me the photo and, if possible, the recipe. I will still feature your entry on this blog.
4. On Australia Day (January 26), I will post all the entries in a Lamington Round Up, and will pick a winner. This bit has yet to be decided: I can't decide if I should use a random selection process, or set up some kind of voting system. (Let me know what you think!!)

The Rules:

• The competition is open to everyone, wherever you are.
• You must follow my Lamington formula - it doesn't have to be cake necessarily (though don't go too crazy!), but there needs to be a centre, a coating, and the whole thing must be dipped/rolled in sprinkles. You don't need to limit yourself to the traditional chocolate and coconut, but whatever you come up with should be recognizably Lamington-inspired.
• Multiple entries welcome.
• Closing date: January 26 at 12:00 GMT.

Good luck! And spread the Lamington word.

Credit where credit is due: Thanks to Dorota for the photos of St. Kilda. Mine were bad!