Lyla Lindsey
Australia has a rich and varied dessert culture, with many sweet treats to choose from. From the iconic Pavlova, a cake-shaped meringue topped with cream and fresh fruit, to the chocolatey Tim Tam biscuits, there is something for everyone. Other popular choices include the lamington, a fluffy sponge cake dipped in chocolate and covered in coconut, and the jelly slice, a simple yet delicious combination of jelly, custard, and cream on a biscuit base. For those with a sweet tooth, Australia also offers fairy bread, buttered white bread covered in sprinkles, and the Golden Gaytime ice cream, a summer favourite featuring toffee and vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate and honeycomb biscuits. With so many options, Australia's dessert scene is sure to satisfy any craving.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Desserts | Fairy bread, Golden Gaytime, Tim Tam, Pavlova, Lamington, Iced Vovo, Jelly slice, Louise cake, Yo-yo biscuit, Boston bun |
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What You'll Learn
Pavlovas, including the strawberry pavlova cake
The pavlova is a dessert that is popular in Australia and New Zealand. Named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, who toured both countries in 1926, it is a cake-shaped dessert with a meringue base that is crispy, fluffy and chewy. The meringue is made from egg whites that are slowly baked in a cool oven, resulting in a chewy-crisp texture on top, a soft marshmallow texture inside, and a crunchy crisp texture around the edges.
To make the meringue, you will need to combine egg whites and salt in a large bowl and beat at low speed, slowly increasing to high speed, until satiny peaks begin to form. Then, gradually beat in sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until the meringue is stiff and shiny. Sprinkle in cornstarch, white-wine vinegar and vanilla, and fold in gently. Mound the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, shaping it into a disk and flattening the top and smoothing the sides. Place in the oven and immediately reduce the heat to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius). Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, then turn off the heat and allow the meringue to cool completely in the oven.
To make the topping for a strawberry pavlova, combine strawberries, vanilla, balsamic vinegar and sugar in a bowl. To serve, carefully peel off the parchment and place the meringue on a platter. Gently crack the top with the back of a spoon to make a shallow nest for the whipped cream and berries. Whip the cream until thick and spoon it over the meringue, then cover with the strawberry mixture, allowing some of the juice to dribble onto the cream. Serve immediately.
Pavlovas can be topped with a variety of fresh fruits, such as kiwis and other berries, and flavoured whipped cream. They are a popular dessert in Australia, especially during the warm weather, and can be made as one large pavlova or as individual mini pavlovas.
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Lamingtons, including the lamington cake and pink lamington jelly cakes
Lamingtons are an iconic Australian dessert that has been enjoyed in the country since the turn of the 20th century. They are beloved across bakeries and kitchens in Australia and are also commonly found in South Africa and other parts of Australasia.
The traditional lamington is a dessert that consists of squares of fluffy sponge cake that are first dipped in a layer of chocolate sauce and then coated in desiccated coconut. Sometimes, lamingtons are served in two halves with a layer of cream or strawberry jam in between. A lemon variety is also encountered in Australia, while a raspberry variety is common in New Zealand.
To make the sponge cake for lamingtons, you will need eggs, sugar, vanilla, and flour. The eggs are beaten until light and fluffy, and then the sugar is added gradually, followed by the vanilla and flour. The mixture is then baked at 160º Celsius in a fan-forced oven or 180º Celsius in a conventional oven.
To make the jelly coating for lamington jelly cakes, you will need jelly crystals, boiling water, and cold water. The jelly crystals are dissolved in the boiling water and then mixed with cold water. The mixture is then refrigerated until it sets to a consistency similar to egg whites. The cake is then dipped into the jelly and coated completely before being rolled in coconut. For pink lamingtons, you can use raspberry jelly, which will give a darker colour than strawberry jelly.
Lamingtons are a delicious and beloved dessert in Australia, and the jelly version adds a sweet and sticky coating that is perfect for any celebration.
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Tim Tam biscuits
The biscuits are made at the Huntingwood bakery in Western Sydney, where the production line produces about 3,000 biscuits per minute. The dough is mixed for 20 minutes and cut to 1mm thick, with 11 holes punched in each biscuit. They are then baked in gas ovens for 90 minutes and cooled with freezing air before being filled with cream and dunked in chocolate.
The popularity of Tim Tam biscuits has led to Arnott's proclaiming February 16 as National Tim Tam Day, with various publicity stunts and limited-edition merchandise. The biscuits have also been featured on the cooking competition show Snackmasters, showcasing their iconic status in Australian dessert culture.
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Jelly slice
To prepare the jelly slice, a baking tin is lightly greased and lined with baking paper. The crushed biscuit base is then added to the tin. The biscuit base should be left for a few hours, or ideally overnight, before adding the filling to prevent breaking and crumbling. Sharp knives are needed to cut neat slices. The jelly slice should be stored in an airtight container and will last for up to 5 days in the fridge but cannot be frozen.
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Wagon wheel-inspired slice
This dessert has a crunchy biscuit base, which is made by combining dry ingredients such as flour, brown sugar, and desiccated coconut with melted butter. This mixture is then pressed into a tin and smoothed to create a cohesive base layer. The biscuit base is then topped with raspberry or berry jam, marshmallows, and chocolate. For the chocolate layer, it is recommended to use dark chocolate with at least 50% cocoa to balance the sweetness of the other ingredients, but milk chocolate or white chocolate can also be used. Adding butter to the chocolate makes it softer and easier to cut.
The wagon wheel-inspired slice is a fun and tasty treat that brings back sweet memories for many Australians. It is a great dessert to make with family and friends and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering or event.
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Frequently asked questions
Australians enjoy a wide variety of desserts, including the iconic Pavlova, a cake-shaped meringue topped with cream and fresh fruits. Another popular dessert is the lamington, a fluffy sponge cake dipped in melted chocolate and covered in desiccated coconut. Finally, Tim Tam biscuits, consisting of two chocolate malted biscuits sandwiched with a light cream filling and coated in chocolate, are also a beloved treat in Australia.
The Pavlova is named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, who toured Australia and New Zealand in 1926. It is considered the national dessert of Australia.
One unique Australian dessert that is less well-known internationally is the jelly slice, which consists of layers of jelly, custard or cream, and a biscuit base, sometimes with a fresh fruit topping. Another classic Australian dessert is the caramel slice, which has layers of crunchy sweet butter biscuit, buttery caramel, and chocolate glaze.
