Vegemite is probably the most famous iconic Australian foodstuff. Others include a honeycomb chocolate bar named Violet Crumble; Dim Sim, a dumpling inspired by the popular Chinese dim-sum; vanilla slices and wheat biscuits. Lamingtons are square sponge cakes covered with chocolate icing and desiccated coconut. They were named after Baron Lamington who was Governor of Queensland at the end of the 19th century. Original Lamingtons had strawberry or raspberry jam in the centre but now it is usually whipped cream.
Damper is a traditional Australian bread made without yeast. It was originally cooked over hot coals and often wrapped around a stick before being eaten with honey and tea. Today it is often baked with nuts or dried fruit to enhance the flavour and is popular with butter and jam.
There is much debate between Australia and New Zealand over who created ANZAC biscuits and Pavlova. Anzac biscuits are generally made from rolled oats, golden syrup and desiccated coconut. They were made by women during World War One and named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps to whom they were sent.
Pavlova is a dessert named after the Russian prima ballerina Anna Pavlova. It is a meringue shell topped with whipped cream and fruit. The oldest known recipes for both ANZAC biscuits and Pavlova appear to originate in New Zealand.
The macadamia nut is the only native Australian food to be highly commercialised.