Lamingtons are also found in New Zealand, with the strawberry variety more popular. Like other recipes common to both countries the origins are disputed.
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Recipes
Lamington recipes have been printed in Australia at least since 1903 although the earliest recipes appear to deal with a whole cake, not one cut into squares. Early recipes included cocoa icing, but no coconut, which was introduced in recipes at a later date.
Lamingtons can be found across Australia in cafes, bakeries and supermarkets. Traditionally they have been used as fund-raisers in schools. For youth groups and for churches. These events are called Lamington Drives.
The most likely source of the name is Charles Baillie, 2nd Baron Lamington, who served as the Governor of Queensland from 1896 to 1901.
According to a 1981 article in the Brisbane Courier Mail, at one stage there was large amount of stale cake in the Government House kitchen. In an attempt to make it palatable, the cake was dipped in chocolate and then tossed in desiccated coconut. The parliamentarians liked this "gateau" and obtained the recipe from Government House.
