Best of Canberra - Vanilla slice

Flute bakery in Fyshwick

The Swiss Bakery at Jamison many years ago, now it’s Holbrook Bakery on the way to Melbourne.
It has to have the traditional passionfruit icing and ooze custard when you bite into it. I may need to check out all the suggestions to find a good one in Canberra.

In NZ they’re called custard squares…perhaps a more logical name (esp when cut to a square shape.) I still don’t get why they’re called vanilla slice.

The best one I’ve had is at Cafe D’Lish in Deakin. Really good.

cafe D’lish in Deakin
Autolyse in Braddon
Both DIVINE!!!!!!

+1 for Erindale and Flute
and Dobinson’s for value
I’m also keen to hear of any others I haven’t tried.

Years ago the Mansfield Bakery was justifiably famous for its vanilla slice. I went back there recently for the first time in many years. I can honestly say it was the worst vanilla slice I have ever had in my life. I couldn’t finish it. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

I’ll be following this thread with interest! Vanilla slice is one of my weaknesses.

Tree Eighty3 Café in Bailey’s Arcade

My corrected link to the above recipe (my apologies):

http://www.roadtopastry.com/blog/recipes/laminated-doughs/recipe-mille-feuille-cream-napoleon

Daffodil said :

On a side note, the pink strawberry icing mentioned in the article sounds quite unappetising!

I agree!

Rollersk8r said :

Just two?? You’d have to compare at least 5!? Ten is probably better!

I nominate Dobinsons on size and value for money – but it’s not a classic example.

I did very seriously consider changing the rules for this week’s challenge so I’d have a reason to eat 15 vanilla slices in a week. Not that I need an excuse…

Erindale Bakery’s vanilla slice is right up there with the best vanilla slices I’ve ever had.

On a side note, the pink strawberry icing mentioned in the article sounds quite unappetising!

There have been some rather dubious Best Ofs in this forum, but I am watching this with more than keen interest.

I agree that the French Mille Feuille is the best:

http://www.manusmenu.com/mille-feuille

The custard should be light and fluffy, the puff pastry airy and lightly crunchy with a dusting of icing sugar, not bound into a chewy block with heavy icing.

Australia has made this its own, with mostly better results than the huge gummy Dim Sim.

My ideal example would be the World’s Best Vanilla Slice in Sorrento VIC. Hopefully someone in Canberra can match or better it.

I’ve started taste testing in Canberra, so far without luck. I won’t embarrass those who haven’t made the grade, they are probably just buying mass produced commercial versions.

Just two?? You’d have to compare at least 5!? Ten is probably better!

I nominate Dobinsons on size and value for money – but it’s not a classic example.

Flute in Fyshwick does a good vanilla slice.

We had a great one at Fox and Bow not long ago. Cafe D’lish used to do a great vanilla slice too, but haven’t been there for a while.

Erindale bakery!