Top five vanilla slices worth the drive
While the French might take credit for inventing the millefeuille, in Australia we’ve got the vanilla slice with more custard, much more icing and lashings of deliciousness.Just about every bakery in the country has its version of what some call the snot block, and one-time Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett even instigated an award for the best. Everyone has their favourite that’s worth a drive to find (where’s yours?) and these are some of ours.
Bridgewater Bakery, Victoria
Where else to start but with the winner of Australia’s Great Vanilla Slice Triumph in 2018, the Bridgewater Bakery just outside of Bendigo? Owner Patrick O’Toole reckons the best snot block needs a good texture to the custard, a crispy pastry with lashings of icing and apparently, that’s what he delivered to the judges. His bakery is a popular stop about two hours out of Melbourne on the way to Mildura, and Bridgewater itself is a peaceful, picturesque town on the Loddon River worthy of exploration.
Banana Boogie Bakery, Belair, South Australia
Apart from having a fantastically whimsical name, Banana Boogie also bakes what are reckoned to be South Australia’s best vanilla slices, at least according to judges in 2017’s Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph. Business has boomed since then and the little bakehouse at the base of the Adelaide Hills has become a Mecca for sweet tooths from all around. Think about dropping in for afternoon tea (or combine a slice with a pie for lunch) while touring the gardens and wineries of this beautiful region.
The Universal Eatery, Oberon, NSW
This lovely café recently moved from tiny Tarana to the Big Smoke (well, Oberon anyway) and the good news is owner Mel Clear took her vanilla slice recipe with her. Baked in-house, of course, you can have it with a blob of cream (there’s no sticky fondant icing) and a coffee, or try any number of other sweet or savoury delicacies. Oberon, in NSW’s central west, has a monthly farmers’ market, is close to the Jenolan Caves and a great detour on the way from Sydney to Bathurst and beyond.
Ross Bakery Inn, Tasmania
Yes, this bakery in the historic town of Ross does a fabbo vanilla slice and you won’t want to miss it. But wait, there’s more. The wood-fired oven also churns out pizzas most Saturday nights and with accommodation upstairs you can even stay there on the way from Launceston to Hobart. Somewhat bizarrely, Kiki’s Room, named after a character in an anime film from the 1980s, is popular with Japanese visitors who flock to the bakery after it was depicted in the movie.
Honey’s Bakehouse, Roleystone, Western Australia
Head out to Roleystone in the Perth hills and you’ll find Honey’s Bakehouse, a wonderful establishment run by Brent Honey where you can get lots of baked goodies including, of course, a crisp and squishy snot block. If you thought things can’t much better, ask for Honey’s secret weapon, the deep fried vanilla slice. With a light covering of donut batter and a dusting of icing sugar and cinnamon it’s simply delicious, and what’s more it’s vegan too.
Related: Top five country pie shops worth the drive
Related: Top five potato scallops/cakes/fritters to sink your teeth into
Related: The drive-thru foods that never should be attempted by kids in the car
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
