Frog cake, sweet or dessert from Australia: what it is and how it is eaten

Frog cake is a sweet treat from South Australia, made of sponge cake with jam and cream, all covered in a thick fondant icing. Created by Balfours bakery in the early 1920s, it comes in green, pink, and brown, and is especially known in Adelaide. It is often enjoyed as a dessert or snack and is seen as a symbol of the region.

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Created by Balfours bakery in South Australia around 1923
Made from sponge cake, jam, cream, and fondant icing
Named a South Australian Heritage Icon in 2001
Originally green, now also pink and brown
Trademarked for both name and shape

What is Frog cake?

A frog cake is a small, playful dessert shaped to look like a frog's head. It starts with a base of soft sponge cake, which is filled with a layer of jam and topped with artificial cream. The entire cake is then coated in a thick, sweet fondant icing, usually in green, pink, or brown. Two fondant eyes are added for detail. The finished cake is served in a paper cup. Its texture combines the lightness of sponge with the smoothness of fondant and cream.

Where does Frog cake come from?

Frog cakes were first made by Balfours bakery in South Australia around 1923. The exact person who invented it is not known, but the idea may have come from European fondant cakes seen in Paris. The cake quickly became popular in Adelaide tearooms and was soon recognized as a symbol for the bakery itself. Though originally only sold in South Australia, it later became available in other Australian states. In 2001, it was officially named a South Australian Heritage Icon.

How is Frog cake made?

To make frog cakes, large sheets of sponge cake are layered and cut into pieces. Each piece is filled with jam and topped with a mound of artificial cream. The whole cake is then covered in a thick layer of fondant icing, which is colored green, pink, or brown. A hot knife is used to shape the mouth, and fondant eyes are placed by hand. The cakes are then set in paper cups for serving. The recipe has stayed the same since the 1920s.

A dissected frog cake , displaying the internal structure. Photo: Bilby, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How and when is Frog cake eaten?

Frog cakes are usually eaten as a dessert or a sweet snack, often with tea or coffee. They are sold in bakeries and shops, especially in South Australia, and are sometimes given as gifts or served at celebrations. Special versions appear for holidays, such as Christmas or Easter, with different shapes and colors. People in Adelaide often see them as a nostalgic treat tied to local identity.

Kinds of Frog cake

While the original frog cake was green, pink and brown colors were later introduced. For special occasions, Balfours has made cakes shaped like snowmen for Christmas or chicks for Easter. Sometimes, cakes are decorated in the colors of local sports teams. There are also cakes inspired by the frog cake in Denmark, but with a macaroon base and marzipan covering instead of fondant.

What Frog cake means

The frog cake is widely seen as a symbol of South Australia and is used in state promotions. Its status was cemented when it was named a South Australian Heritage Icon in 2001. The cake has appeared in local media and even in films. When Balfours faced financial trouble in 2000, a public campaign to buy more frog cakes helped boost sales. The name and shape are registered trademarks to protect its unique identity.

Questions people ask about Frog cake

What is a frog cake made of?

A frog cake is made from sponge cake filled with jam and cream, then covered in thick fondant icing. Fondant eyes are added on top to complete the frog look.

Where did frog cakes originate?

Frog cakes were first created in South Australia by Balfours bakery around 1923. They are especially associated with Adelaide.

Are there different flavors or colors of frog cakes?

Yes, while the original was green, pink and brown versions are now available. Special designs and colors are sometimes made for holidays or events.

Is the frog cake vegetarian?

Yes, frog cakes are vegetarian as they contain no meat or fish, but they do include dairy products like cream.

Why is the frog cake important in South Australia?

The frog cake is considered a symbol of South Australian culture and heritage. It was named a state icon in 2001 and is often used to represent the region in promotions.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Frog cake", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Frog cake