The colorful and sweet Lolly cake recipe is another New Zealand endemic wonder. Slices of the biscuit and condensed milk log reveal colorful hidden marshmallow treats.
No one seems to really know what the origins of the popular Lolly cake recipe truly is. But one thing for sure, it is one of the most popular treats to be found in New Zealand bakeries, kids lunch boxes, and in the top New Zealand food recipes for school fairs.
Since we have been in a record-breaking heatwave in Montreal, I was not turning an oven on. So this was the perfect recipe for this month’s Eat the World challenge, New Zealand edition. And it is nice to be able to add to my Oceania section on the blog, as I had only an Australian Pavlova recipe. But this is my first New Zealand entry inspired by this recipe here.
New Zealand, home of the kiwi?
New Zealand is made up of two main islands, North and South Island, and many smaller ones in the South Pacific Ocean. It is located 1,600km south-east of Australia. The capital of the country is Wellington, not Auckland as most would expect. Being a former British colony, the population is mainly of European descent but with an important indigenous Māori minority and other more recent immigrants.
These islands are home to stunning national parks filled with jagged mountains, pristine lakes, steep fiords, magnificent glaciers, raging rivers, and volcanoes. Many adrenaline infused activities can be practiced here for thrill seekers. Besides a handful of metropolitan cities, you will find loads of rural areas and other out-of-the-way gems.
There are hundreds of endemic creatures and plants unique to New Zealand, most are endangered. The most famous one being the kiwi bird: the national bird and symbol. We are not talking about the fruit here! The kiwifruit is actually originally from China but was brought to NZ in the 20 century, making it the first commercial planting.
Did you get your FREE PRINTABLE yet?
Surprise! I have prepared a Cheat Sheet that includes 41 Cooking and Baking Ingredient Substitutions that are commonly found in a kitchen. Click here to get your FREE Ingredient Substitutions Cheat Sheet right now!
What is the New Zealand food culture?
True to its British colonial past, New Zealand traditional food is very similar to the traditional British cuisine. But a few creative New Zealand dishes did see light, such as the New Zealand recipes:
- roasted kumara, a New Zealand sweet potato, is a typical food of New Zealand.
- the meringue-based Pavlova dessert (Australia lays claim to it too).
- ANZAC biscuits, also Australian, these biscuits were made for and by ANZAC troops during the First World War.
- Flaky pastry savory pies, again challenged by the Aussies.
- A New Zealand famous food is Whitebait fried patties, made of a translucent sprat or fingerling of native freshwater fish species.
- Hangi, a New Zealand Maori food made of meat, vegetables and sometimes puddings, cooked in an earth oven.
- Local seafood, such as crayfish, paua, toheroa, and green mussels are considered some of New Zealand’s best food.
A sweet lolly cake recipe
And then we have the NZ lolly cake recipe. Also known as a lolly log cake, the lolly log recipe is a New Zealand cake or confectionery. There are very few New Zealand cake recipes and this is an original one for sure. No one knows who came up with the lolly cake recipe of New Zealand but the recipe started appearing in the 1940s in homes, and in the 1960s in grocery stores.
First, let’s discuss these “lollies”. In most English countries, lollies refer to lollipops. But in Australia and New Zealand, lollies are sweets made from sugar, or high in sugar content. In other words, candy! But traditionally Eskimo lollies, fruit marshmallows, are used.
This recipe consists of chopped lollies that are added to a shapable mixture of crushed malt biscuits, butter, and sweetened condensed milk. It is then usually shaped into a log and rolled in shredded coconut. This no-bake dessert is then refrigerated until set and sliced.
No malt cookies could be found, I used regular digestive cookies with a touch of cocoa powder. And the Eskimo lollies where substituted with similar colored gummy bears.
New Zealand Lolly Cake
Ingredients
- 120 g butter room temperature
- 200 g 1/2 can sweetended condensed milk
- 250 g malt biscuits or digestive + 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 180 g Eskimos Fruit Puffs, Marshmallows or Banana lollies
- 100 g shredded coconut
Instructions
- Place the biscuits in a zip-lock bag and crush with your hands. Place in a bowl.
- Cut your lollies in half if they are big. Mix in with the crushed biscuits.
- Cube and place the butter in a dish with the condensed milk. Warm in the microwave for 30 seconds. The butter does not need to melt, just be warmed a bit.
- Add the butter and condensed milk to biscuits, and mix well. If the mixture does not hold a shape, place in the fridge for a bit till you can shape the mixture.
- Roll into a log shape, about 5 cm (2 inches) in diameter.
- Roll in the coconut until the log is completely covered.
- Wrap the log in a plastic film and place in the refrigerator until hardened, at least 4 hours.
- Slice the log into individual servings. Keep refrigerated.
Eat the World recipe challenge
Check out all the wonderful Swedish dishes prepared by fellow Eat the World members and share with #eattheworld. Click here to find out how to join and have fun exploring a country a month in the kitchen with us!
Evelyne: New Zealand Lolly Cake
Juli: Hokey Pokey Ice Cream
Camilla: Baked Fish Fritters + Wild Sauvignon
Amy: Kiwi Burger
Wendy: Kiwi Pavlova
Heather: Kiwi-Strawberry Trifle
Margaret: Classic Pavlova – lightened up
PIN IT FOR LATER! https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/266275396703769970
Why didn’t I come across this before! So my kinda cake (lol). And yes, the Aussies and Kiwis seem to have the same favorites (without getting into the origin of these dishes…hahaha!)
Indeed finding something pure NZ is hard lol. Hope you give it a try 🙂
I’ve not heard of a lolly cake before, it seems a bit similar to a ‘fridge cake’ that we would make in the UK. Sounds like an ideal Friday afternoon pick me up!
Yes it is similar to a fridge cake but with crushed biscuit and sweetended condensed milk. I would try nuts next time 🙂
I’ve never heard of these cakes before but hope they hurry up and travel to the US. How adorable and they look tasty, too!
I doubt they will travel here lol but they are so so easy to do and no bake!
I’ve never heard of lolly cakes before now, but they remind me of church-window cookies, which are also no-bake cookies made in a roll or log with colorful marshmallows. My grandma used to make them at Christmas.
Oh wow Eric, just googled church-window cookies and yes sorta similar except your has a chocolate base and mine has a cookie base. Neat!
I’ve never heard of a lolly cake, but I’d love to try it. We’ve had very hot days of late too, and I like that this requires a refrigeration.
Lara, the only heat involved is 30 seconds in the microwave, a perfect baking recipe for a heatwave lol.
Time to export this kiwi marvel across the ditch to Australia I think. Looks amazing can only guess it tastes amazing. Australia and New Zealand do seem to have a similar food culture
Are you in Australia Mark? Yes, there are lots of similar foods but this one, the Kiwis seem to want to keep it a secret LOL.
Seriously, Evelyne, how can you go wrong with a name like “lolly cake”?! It just brings thoughts of youth and fun and lollipops, etc. I really enjoy seeing the new recipes you come up with!
Thank you Tami and yes this recipe is a trip down memory lane. But you have to credit the New Zealand people for this recipe 🙂
Mmm, this is just the thing to make for these hot days! (But do you have any tips on how to prevent yourself from eating the whole thing when no one’s looking?!)
Yes, wrap it really well and you will have to keep it in the fridge and keep it at the back lol. Out of more out of mind lol? Not working well though.
We didn’t come across these on our travels through New Zealand, but I’m certain my kids would have given them a try! I can see why these would appeal to children across the country 🙂
Yes definitely a great thing for kids. I would do it again but with maybe halved walnuts.
Love the name of this! I’ve heard of this, but never had it. And certainly never made it. Glad you made it, though — you blazed the trail for the rest of us. 🙂
Wow, I am surprised you have heard of it John. I liked it but would change the candies for nuts or something else.
I mean, I really think I would try anything at least once, however I don’t think this type of cookie would be my first choice if I had to pick – lol! Gummy bears were never really my thing. My friend lives in NZ, I gotta ask her if this is really a thing and if she likes them 😉 hahahaa!
I am SO SHOCKED you don’t think this recipe is up your alley LMAO! I chose Gummy bears because that is what I found that resemble what should have been Eskimo lollies (fake marshmallow shaped like Eskimos (Eskimo to Inuits is like the N word to Blacks)…in Kiwi land. I don’t get it lol. YES please let me know what you NZ friend says!
I’ve never made lolly cake but have you ever tried Afghan biscuits? They’re my favourite NZ food. Well actually there are many because they’ve got lots of great things to eat!
I did find the Afghan biscuit recipes but I figured someone else would make it for sure, and they did not. So bucket list recipe to make!
Not only a fun recipe but a fun name. I think this would be great for a party teaching kids other cultures.
Oh that is a great idea Wendy for a kid’s activity!
Never heard of it, but my teeth ache just looking at it. LOL. I do have some condensed milk in the cupboard…I just might. Maybe. Thanks for the inspiration to head to New Zealand by tabletop. Where are we headed next!??!
Camilla: DO IT lol just pick a less sweet candy and it won’t be so bad lol. Ah, the reveal is coming up in 2 days…sort of. Hint: we will actually find out on Sunday!
Okay, I was thinking France with Bastille Day. But that’s Saturday. Okay. Now I’m stumped. I’ll try to be patient. 😉
Ha ha true it will be Bastille Day. Another hint, France is one of 4 contender countries right now.
I have never heard of, or had lolly cake…bet all the kids are crazy for this sugar loaded treat.
Kids of all ages for sure lol! A fun occasional treat.
That looks fascinating, like buiscuit cake with an upgrade.
LOL definitely a biscuit upgrade here, thanks Juli!