Lolly cake

A lolly cake, sometimes called a lolly log, is a cherished treat from New Zealand that features colorful "lollies" as its main ingredient. While its exact origins are somewhat unclear, people have been enjoying lolly cakes since at least the 1940s, and they gained further popularity in the 1960s when they began appearing in supermarkets.

The classic lolly cake recipe uses Eskimo lollies or fruit puffs, which resemble firm marshmallows. These lollies are chopped up and mixed with crushed plain malt biscuits, melted butter, and sweetened condensed milk to create the base. This mixture is then shaped into a log, rolled in coconut, and refrigerated until it sets. Once firm, it is sliced into pieces. There are also variations where people add different ingredients or make substitutions to change things up a bit.

Lolly cakes are a common sight in New Zealand. You can find them in supermarkets, bakeries, and even some dairies and petrol stations. They’re a sweet, nostalgic treat that many Kiwis have grown up loving.