Fairy Bread Lamingtons Recipe
If you’re ready to add a pop of color and a big dose of whimsy to your dessert table, look no further than Fairy Bread Lamingtons. This recipe transforms the beloved Aussie childhood classic, fairy bread, by giving it a plush, chocolate-dipped lamington twist—think bite-sized sponge cakes drenched in rich chocolate icing and smothered in a riot of rainbow sprinkles or coconut. Fun, festive, and ridiculously delicious, these are the ultimate party treat for all ages, bringing nostalgia and pure joy to every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes Fairy Bread Lamingtons so magical is just how easy the ingredients are to find, yet each one plays a crucial role in the flavor and celebration-worthy color of the final treat. You don’t need anything complicated—just a handful of bakery and pantry staples, plus those essential rainbow sprinkles!
- Sponge cake: The soft, airy base that holds all the chocolate and sprinkles—store-bought or homemade both work fabulously.
- Powdered sugar: The secret to a silky-smooth chocolate icing with just the right sweetness.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Gives that deep, chocolatey punch without overpowering the other flavors.
- Milk: Helps meld the icing together and keeps it beautifully fluid for dipping.
- Unsalted butter: Adds just a touch of richness and gloss to the chocolate coating.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the chocolate’s flavor and adds lovely warmth.
- Rainbow sprinkles: The stars of the show! They make the lamingtons joyful and channel that fairy bread energy.
- Desiccated coconut (optional): For a nod to tradition, roll half of your lamingtons in coconut, creating a beautiful contrast on your serving platter.
How to Make Fairy Bread Lamingtons
Step 1: Prepare Your Sprinkles and Sponge
First things first, pour the rainbow sprinkles into a wide, shallow dish and set them aside—they’ll be working overtime in just a minute! Next, slice your plain sponge cake into sixteen even squares. If you like, trim the edges for neat, sharp lines, or leave them rustic for that homemade charm.
Step 2: Make the Chocolate Icing
Grab a medium saucepan and combine the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and unsalted butter over low heat. Stir everything gently until the mixture becomes glossy, smooth, and just slightly thick—this forms your velvety chocolate bath. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract to infuse that subtle, comforting scent.
Step 3: Dip and Coat the Lamingtons
Now comes the fun (and a little messy) part! Using a fork, pick up one sponge square at a time and dunk it fully into the warm chocolate icing. Let any extra chocolate drip back into the pan, then immediately drop the cake into the dish of sprinkles. Gently turn the cake with clean hands or a fork to coat every side with those magical flecks of color.
Step 4: For a Half-and-Half Look
If you want to go classic with a twist, set out a second shallow dish filled with desiccated coconut. Dip half of your chocolate-coated lamingtons in the coconut instead of the sprinkles. The combination of jewel-toned lamingtons and snow-white coconut ones will make your platter look absolutely irresistible.
Step 5: Let the Icing Set
Place each finished Fairy Bread Lamington onto a wire rack to allow the chocolate to firm up. (Pro tip: slip a baking sheet underneath for easy cleanup.) Once the coating feels set to the touch, your fairy bread lamingtons are ready for serving—or for devouring straight from the rack!
How to Serve Fairy Bread Lamingtons

Garnishes
Fairy Bread Lamingtons are show-stoppers all on their own, but a little extra flourish never hurts. Sprinkle a few extra rainbow jimmies just before serving for a confetti effect, or nestle fresh berries or edible flowers around your platter to ramp up the festive vibes even more.
Side Dishes
Pair your Fairy Bread Lamingtons with a big bowl of fresh fruit salad, dollops of whipped cream, or mugs of hot chocolate. For kids’ parties, tuck them next to a spread of fairy bread triangles. For grown-ups, a pot of good coffee or a glass of chilled Moscato makes them sing.
Creative Ways to Present
Pile your lamingtons high on a bright cake stand or thread smaller pieces onto skewers for a sprinkle-studded dessert kebab. Or, wrap each Fairy Bread Lamington in parchment and ribbon for party favors guests will remember long after the last crumb.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Fairy Bread Lamingtons should be kept in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to three days—the sprinkles help seal in moisture and keep the cake fluffy.
Freezing
To freeze, arrange the lamingtons in a single layer on a tray and freeze until firm, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours before serving, and the sprinkles will remain crunchy and colorful.
Reheating
Fairy Bread Lamingtons are best enjoyed as-is, but if you love a slightly warm treat, pop one in the microwave for just five seconds. Be cautious—the icing softens quickly! Let it cool for a moment before biting in.
FAQs
Can I use homemade sponge cake?
Absolutely! A homemade sponge cake gives your Fairy Bread Lamingtons a personal touch. Just be sure it’s sturdy enough to hold up to dipping in the icing.
What’s the best way to apply the sprinkles?
Pouring the sprinkles into a wide dish and rolling each lamington after dipping ensures a fully coated, colorful finish. Press gently if needed so every side gets the magic treatment.
Can I use gluten-free cake for this recipe?
Yes, you can swap in a gluten-free sponge cake to make Fairy Bread Lamingtons accessible for everyone. Everything else in the recipe is already gluten-free!
Is it okay to skip the coconut?
Definitely. While coconut is a classic lamington element, there’s no rule that says you have to use it. All-sprinkle lamingtons are just as fun and festive.
What’s the trick to keeping the chocolate icing smooth?
If the icing thickens as you work, don’t worry. Simply return it to low heat and stir in a splash of milk until it’s loose again—this makes the coating much easier and prevents wasted sprinkles.
Final Thoughts
Fairy Bread Lamingtons are a joyful treat with a playful heart, perfect for sharing at celebrations or any day you want to spread a little extra color. I hope you’ll give them a try—one bite, and you’ll see why these sprinkle-covered delights keep everyone coming back for more!
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Fairy Bread Lamingtons Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 16 lamingtons 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the whimsical delight of Fairy Bread Lamingtons, a playful twist on the classic Australian dessert. These colorful treats feature sponge cake squares coated in chocolate icing and rainbow sprinkles, with an optional coconut variation for added texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Sponge Cake Squares:
- 1 plain sponge cake (about 8x8 inches), cut into 16 squares
Chocolate Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coatings:
- 1 cup rainbow sprinkles
- 1 cup desiccated coconut (optional, for half traditional lamington coating)
Instructions
- Prepare Coatings: Place sprinkles in a shallow dish.
- Make Chocolate Icing: In a saucepan, combine powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and butter over low heat until smooth. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla.
- Coat Sponge Squares: Dip sponge squares in chocolate icing, then roll in sprinkles or coconut.
- Set and Serve: Place coated cakes on a rack to set before serving.
Notes
- For a softer coating, let the icing cool for only a minute before dipping.
- If the icing thickens, return to low heat and add a splash of milk to loosen.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake, Assembly
- Cuisine: Australian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lamington
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg