Easy recipe for classic New Zealand lolly cake - Plus quick video (2024)

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With only 5 ingredients this lolly cake recipe is super easy - a classic Kiwi party treat that we all love!

Easy recipe for classic New Zealand lolly cake - Plus quick video (1)

Some people call it lollie cake and some call it lolly log. It is a New Zealand classic that most Kiwis would have eaten at kids birthday parties growing up. The recipe originated in 1940s NZ and has been served in cafes and bakeries ever since. You can't beat the taste of the homemade version that is made from scratch.

Classic kiwi birthday party treats

This lolly cake recipe can be made in minutes and is super easy to make. It only has 5 ingredients: condensed milk, coconut, malt biscuits, butter and fruit puffs. You can use explorer lollies, fruit puffs or soft banana lollies work well too.

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WATCH THE HOW TO MAKE LOLLY CAKE VIDEO:

Easy recipe for classic New Zealand lolly cake - Plus quick video (3)

How to make lolly cake:

First of all melt the butter and condensed milk together. Then add the crushed biscuits and chopped explorers or fruit puffs.

Easy recipe for classic New Zealand lolly cake - Plus quick video (4) Easy recipe for classic New Zealand lolly cake - Plus quick video (5)

Mix it all together with a spoon until well combined. Turn mixture out onto a clean surface and form two logs. Use your hands to tightly pack it together.

Easy recipe for classic New Zealand lolly cake - Plus quick video (6) Easy recipe for classic New Zealand lolly cake - Plus quick video (7)

Roll each log in coconut then wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Once your lolly log has set cut it into 2 cm thick slices.

Easy recipe for classic New Zealand lolly cake - Plus quick video (8)

How to make Lolly Balls or Truffles:

Combine all of the ingredients together then roll the mixture into individual balls. Roll each ball in coconut. Chill in the fridge until set.

Easy recipe for classic New Zealand lolly cake - Plus quick video (9)

Delicious lolly cake truffles

How to make lolly slice:

Push the mixture into a lined tray and then sprinkle the coconut over the top. Set in the fridge then slice into bite sized pieces and keep in an airtight container. This is my favourite way to serve it as it is so much quicker to make.

Easy recipe for classic New Zealand lolly cake - Plus quick video (10)

Super easy lolly cake slice

Here are some common questions about Lolly cake:

How long does lolly cake take to set? It takes around 1-2 hours in the fridge but you can speed up the process by putting it into the freezer for 20 minutes.

How to store lolly cake? I store mine in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, (if it lasts that long!). Or you can leave it in the log shape wrapped in cling wrap in the fridge for up to a week before slicing and serving.

How do you freeze lolly cake? Can it be frozen? Yes you can freeze it in the log form wrapped in cling wrap, thaw before slicing and serving. It will last for approx 3 months in the freezer.

Can you make lolly cake without coconut? Yes you can just skip the step when you roll it in coconut.

What can you use instead of explorers in lolly cake? There are lots of variations around. You can use fruit puffs or bananas. I have also seen versions with liquorice allsorts, clinkers and marshmallows.

What other biscuits can be used in lolly cake instead of Malt biscuits? You can other plain biscuits like Superwines, Milk Arrowroots or Maries. But Malt biscuits give it the most authentic taste. My friend Anna from Just a Mum has made a great version of lolly log with Girl Guide biscuits.

Who invented lolly cake? Where is it from? It originated in New Zealand in the 1940s according to Wikipedia, but the inventor is not known.

Easy recipe for classic New Zealand lolly cake - Plus quick video (11)

Store your lolly cake or slice in an airtight container in the fridge.

Easy recipe for classic New Zealand lolly cake - Plus quick video (12)

Lolly cake

Yield: 20 slices

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Inactive Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

With only 5 ingredients this lolly log recipe is super easy, a classic Kiwi party treat that we all love!

Ingredients

  • 120g butter, melted
  • ½ cup sweetenedcondensed milk (160g)
  • 1 packet malt biscuits,crushed (250g)
  • 1 packet explorers (150g) or fruit puffs, chopped
  • ½ cup coconut

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter and condensed milk together in a large microwave safe bowl.
  2. Add crushed biscuits to the butter and condensed milk mixture.
  3. Add the chopped explorers or fruit puffs and mix it all together.
  4. Once it is all combined turn out onto a clean surface and form two logs. Use your hands to tightly pack it together.
  5. Roll logs in coconut and make sure they are covered all over. Wrap in cling film and chill for at least 1 hour.
  6. When ready to serve cut into 2 cm thick slices.

Notes

  • You can speed up the setting process by putting it in the freezer for 20 minutes.
  • Store your lolly cake in an airtight container in the fridge.

How to make Lolly Balls or Truffles: Follow steps 1 & 2 the same then roll the mixture into individual balls. Roll each ball in coconut. Chill in the fridge until set.

How to make Lolly Slice: Follow steps 1 & 2 the same then push the mixture into a lined tray. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp coconut over the top. Slice with a large knife after it has set in the fridge and keep in an airtight container.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 20 approxServing Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 75Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 64mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 1g

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Easy recipe for classic New Zealand lolly cake - Plus quick video (2024)

FAQs

What is New Zealand Lolly Cake? ›

A delicious, old fashioned NZ classic. This no bake Lolly Cake (or 'Lolly Log') uses only five ingredients – malt biscuits, butter, sweetened condensed milk, lollies and coconut. A very simple melt and mix recipe. Great for children's birthday parties as they are colourful and fun to eat.

Can Lolly Cake be made differently? ›

There are lots of variations around. You can use fruit puffs or bananas. I have also seen versions with liquorice allsorts, clinkers and marshmallows. What biscuits can be used in place of malt biscuits in lolly cake?

How many calories are in Lolly Cake? ›

Lolly Cake Kit - Full Package
Nutrition Informationper 100g
Energy2492 kj / 595.6023 kcal
Fat62 g
-- of which saturates53.4 g
Carbohydrate6.4 g
3 more rows

What are fruit puff sweets? ›

Fruit Puffs are colourful fondant domes, great for putting in lolly cake or just a treat! Ingredients: Sugar, Glucose Syrup (from corn), Water, Gelatine, Flavours, Colours (102, 110, 133, 124, 122).

What is the most popular cake in New Zealand? ›

New Zealand's top 10 cakes:
  • Banana cake.
  • Chocolate cake.
  • Carrot cake.
  • Lemon cake.
  • Chocolate cake.
  • Carrot cake.
  • Banana cake.
Jul 31, 2019

What is the most popular lollies in New Zealand? ›

One of the most well-known is RJ's Licorice, which produces a range of licorice-based candies. Mayceys is another popular brand, with their famous Crocodiles and Glo-Harts being a favourite among Kiwis. Another popular candy brand in New Zealand is Rainbow.

How many calories in a single lolly? ›

Nutritional Summary:

There are 38 calories in 1 piece of Lollies. Calorie Breakdown: 0% fat, 100% carbs, 0% prot.

How many calories in a piece of homemade cake? ›

A slice of homemade vanilla cake contains approximately 250 to 300 calories. The caloric content can vary depending on the ingredients used, such as butter or oil, and the type of frosting you choose.

How many calories in a fairy cake? ›

Table of Nutritional Information
Typical Valuesper 100gper cake
Energy422kcal115kcal
Fat18.2g5.0g
Saturates2.8g0.8g
Mono-unsaturates10.9g3.0g
8 more rows

What is a substitute for malt biscuits? ›

Yes you can replace the malt biscuits for the same amount of similar sweet biscuits such as milk arrowroot, Maries or Nice biscuits.

Are fruit puffs and Eskimos the same? ›

Traditionally, explorer lollies (known as eskimo lollies prior to March 2021 following the George Floyd protests) or fruit puffs are used, which are like firm, but soft and chewy, marshmallows.

What are cloud lollies? ›

Lolly Clouds Grape are grape flavoured soft cloud shaped purple coloured jubes made by Lolliland. They are Gluten Free so everyone can enjoy them. Click on and add 'Cool Protection' in the shopping cart or from its category. We pack your order in a cool box with an ice brick to protect against the heat.

What is a lolly in New Zealand? ›

'Lolly' is a New Zealand word for confectionary - British people use 'sweet' and Americans 'candy'. Australians also use lolly.

What are Eskimo lollies called now NZ? ›

Eskimos lollies are made by Pascalls. Now called Explorers.

What do New Zealanders call ice lollies? ›

Of course, here in NZ an “ice block” is a frozen confection on a stick. In the US, it is usually called a “Popsicle”. Another example of a brand name taking over the generic term, like Kleenex or Xerox.

Why is the wacky cake called that? ›

Wacky cake is considered wacky not only because the recipe lacks any dairy or eggs but also because all the ingredients for this cake are mixed directly in the pan it is baked in. This recipe goes against the most popular methods for mixing cake batters, especially since there is no bowl or whisk necessary.

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