Hey there, sweet tooth! Ready to discover your new favorite treat? This classic Lolly Cake recipe is about to become your secret weapon for winning hearts and creating smiles! Straight from the kitchens of New Zealand (or Aotearoa, as we Kiwis call it), this beloved recipe has been bringing families together for generations - and trust me, once you try it, you'll know exactly why!
Why You'll Love This Lolly Cake Recipe
You know what's really special about this Lolly Cake? It's not just a treat - it's a conversation starter! From cozy kitchen catch-ups to fancy afternoon teas, I've seen this humble slice steal the show every single time. Whether you're whipping it up for a friend's visit, a family celebration, or just because (hey, sometimes Tuesday needs a little sparkle!), this recipe has got your back.
Here's the best bit - and I'm not even kidding - you don't need to be a master baker! No oven, no complicated techniques, just a bit of mixing, rolling, and the hardest part? Waiting for it to set in the fridge (though between us, sneaking a taste of the mixture while preparing is totally part of the experience )
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Lolly Cake Recipe
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Hints and Tips
- Dietary Benefits & Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Variations & Substitutions
- Equipment For Lolly Cake Recipe
- Storage
- Top Tip
- Grandma's Magic Touch:
- FAQ
- Share Your Lolly Cake Recipe Creation!
- Related
- Pairing
- Easy Lolly Cake Recipe in 5 Simple Steps
Ingredients
For your Lolly Cake Recipe, you'll need:
- 250g malt biscuits (plain wine biscuits work as an alternative)
- 180g fruit puffs (Eskimos or similar colored marshmallow candies)
- 125g butter, softened
- ½ tin (200g) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup desiccated coconut for rolling
Instructions
I'll help make these instructions more friendly and approachable while maintaining their clarity:
Let's Make a Delicious No-Bake Log!
Getting Started:
First, let's prep our ingredients with a bit of fun crushing and chopping!
- Turn those malt biscuits into a wonderful crumb mixture - either pop them in your food processor or put them in a bag and release some energy with a rolling pin
- Grab your kitchen scissors and snip the fruit puffs into bite-sized pieces (about quarters is perfect)
- Gently melt your butter until it's just liquid - no need to get it hot!
Creating the Magic Mixture:
Now for the fun part! In your largest mixing bowl:
- Combine your crushed biscuits and chopped fruit puffs
- Pour in your melted butter and that lovely condensed milk
- Get your hands in there and mix everything together until it's perfectly combined and holds its shape when you squeeze it
Time to Shape Your Creation:
Here comes the coconutty finale!
- Sprinkle a generous layer of desiccated coconut on your workspace
- Shape your mixture into a beautiful log about 30cm long
- Roll it in the coconut until it's completely covered in snowy goodness
- Wrap your log snugly in plastic wrap or baking paper like it's going for a cozy nap
Hints and Tips
- Keep your hands slightly damp while shaping the log to prevent the mixture from sticking
- For the best texture, avoid crushing the fruit puffs too small – you want visible pieces in the final slice
- If the mixture seems too soft, add more crushed biscuits; if too dry, add a little more condensed milk
Dietary Benefits & Serving Suggestions
While this is definitely a treat food, you can serve it in small portions as part of a balanced diet. One log typically yields 12-15 slices. Serve with:
- Hot cup of tea or coffee
- Glass of cold milk
- As part of a dessert platter
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
- Replace fruit puffs with different colored marshmallows for a different look
- Use chocolate-coated malt biscuits for an extra indulgent version
- Try rolling in chocolate sprinkles instead of coconut
- Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free malt cookies
Equipment For Lolly Cake Recipe
- Food processor or rolling pin
- Large mixing bowl
- Kitchen scissors
- Baking paper or plastic wrap
- Measuring cups and spoons
Storage
Store your Lolly Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can also freeze slices for up to 2 months – wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container.
Top Tip
The key to perfect Lolly Cake is getting the right consistency in your mixture. It should be firm enough to hold its shape but not so dry that it crumbles. Test by squeezing a small amount – it should hold together easily.
Grandma's Magic Touch:
This treasured lolly cake recipe holds a special place in New Zealand's baking heritage. Just like Grandma used to make, this no-bake lolly cake recipe combines simple pantry ingredients into a slice of pure joy. Whether you're craving a taste of nostalgia or discovering this classic lolly cake recipe for the first time, you're in for a treat that's been perfected through generations of loving hands.
The beauty of this traditional lolly cake recipe lies in its simplicity. Using just malt biscuits, colorful fruit puffs, and a few other basic ingredients, Grandma's version of the lolly cake recipe transforms ordinary components into something extraordinary. The secret? It's all in the gentle touch and patience that our grandmothers poured into every treat they made.
What makes this particular lolly cake recipe stand out is how it brings families together. Just like how Grandma would let us sneak a fruit puff while she was baking, this recipe creates those same precious moments in your own kitchen. Each step of the lolly cake recipe, from crushing the biscuits to rolling in coconut, carries the warmth of those cherished memories.
FAQ
What is New Zealand lolly cake?
New Zealand lolly cake is a beloved no-bake dessert made from crushed malt biscuits, mixed with chopped Eskimos (colorful marshmallow candies), condensed milk, and melted butter. The mixture is rolled into a log, coated in coconut, and chilled until firm. When sliced, it reveals a mosaic-like pattern of colorful candies throughout. It's a popular treat at parties and cafes across New Zealand.
Who invented lolly cake?
Lolly cake was created in New Zealand during the 1940s, though its exact inventor is unknown. It emerged as a creative way to use basic pantry ingredients and locally-made candies during wartime rationing. The recipe became popular in New Zealand households and has since become a cherished part of Kiwi food culture, appearing in community cookbooks since the 1950s.
What is a lolly in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, "lolly" is the common term for any type of candy or confectionery. This includes what Americans might call candy, sweets, or gummies. Specific to lolly cake, the traditional candies used are Fruit Puffs or Eskimos - soft, colorful marshmallow candies with a firm exterior coating. These give the cake its distinctive speckled appearance.
What is a birthing cake?
A birthing cake, also called a labor cake, is a specially made chocolate cake that some believe may help induce labor in pregnant women who are near their due date. Usually dense and fudgy, it often contains ingredients like dark chocolate, cayenne pepper, or spices that some claim might stimulate contractions. However, there's no scientific evidence supporting these claims.
Share Your Lolly Cake Recipe Creation!
How did your Lolly Cake Recipe turn out? Ready to savor something new? This recipe is sure to impress with its perfect balance of sweet marshmallow candies, buttery malt biscuits, and creamy condensed milk, all rolled in coconut for that classic Kiwi treat experience. If you're a fan of fruity baked goods, be sure to try our Fresh Apple Cake Recipe next – another easy-to-make yet delicious treat!
Did you make this Lolly Cake Recipe? We'd love to hear about your experience! Leave a star rating and share your thoughts in the comments.
Did you try any creative twists, like using different flavored marshmallow candies or adding chocolate chips? Perhaps you experimented with different biscuit varieties or added a hint of vanilla? Your feedback not only helps others but also contributes to our growing community of home cooks. Don't forget to share a photo of your culinary creation!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Lolly Cake Recipe
Easy Lolly Cake Recipe in 5 Simple Steps
Equipment
- Food processor or rolling pin
- Large mixing bowl
- Kitchen scissors
- Baking paper or plastic wrap
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 250 g malt biscuits
- 180 g fruit puffs Eskimos or similar
- 125 g butter softened
- 200 g sweetened condensed milk ½ tin
- 1 cup desiccated coconut for rolling
Instructions
Prepare Base
- Crush malt biscuits into fine crumbs
- Cut fruit puffs into quarters
- Melt butter until just liquid
Mix
- Combine crushed biscuits and fruit puffs in large bowl
- Add melted butter and condensed milk
- Mix until well combined
Shape
- Spread coconut on clean surface
- Form mixture into 30cm log
- Roll in coconut until covered
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap
Set
- Refrigerate minimum 4 hours or overnight
- Slice into 1.5cm pieces to serve
Notes
- Keep hands slightly damp while shaping
- Mixture should hold together when pressed
- Let sit at room temperature 5-10 minutes before slicing
Elizabeth says
yummy, this Lolly Cake deserve a try 😍