Looking for the best ‘snot block’ in town? This humble bakery is the place to go!
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From big cities to small towns, Aussies cannot get enough of their beloved snot blocks, also known as vanilla slices. 
These delicious pastries feature layers of flaky puff pastry filled with luscious vanilla custard and topped with a generous layer of sweet icing.
Vanilla slices are a staple in bakeries across the country, with Aussies often devouring them alongside their morning coffee or afternoon tea.
But this isn't just any ordinary pastry obsession – vanilla slices have taken Australia by storm and become a bona fide cultural sensation. With fierce competitions and passionate debates over the perfect custard-to-pastry ratio, it's clear that these treats are more than just a dessert.
The excitement reached a fever pitch at the recent 2023 Victorian Baking Show, held in the breathtaking city of Bendigo. Over 140 of the country's top bakeries from states all across Australia gathered to showcase their homemade treats, presenting a staggering 590 baked goods to the esteemed panel of judges.
It was a celebration of all things delicious, and snot blocks were undoubtedly the star of the show!
Needless to say, the battle for Australia's Best Vanilla Slice was nothing short of epic. After countless mouth-watering treats were put to the test, the coveted title was finally awarded to the amazing North End Bakehouse in Shepparton, Victoria.
The judges were blown away by North End Bakehouse's recipe, which featured an unbelievably creamy custard filling, perfectly tempered fondant, and a crisp, thin pastry that was apparently an absolute joy to eat.
Matt Aylett, the baker behind the award-winning snot block, not only won the coveted title, but he also scored an almost perfect result of 97/100 for his incredible vanilla slice. Now that's what we call an impressive feat!
In an interview on a morning show, Aylett revealed that his years of hard work and dedication to perfecting his vanilla slice recipe had finally paid off. 'We make sure the custard's perfect, pastry's crispy, icing's shiny, everything,' he said proudly. And boy, did it show - the judges were blown away by his incredible creation!
Tony Smith, the executive officer of the Baking Association of Australia, couldn't stop raving about it.
'The judges were unanimous in their decision - this was an absolute standout! The custard was so creamy, and the fondant was tempered to perfection on top. The pastry was crisp and thin, not soggy. It was a truly exceptional vanilla slice,' he said.
Judge John Humphrey was equally impressed, noting that many other entries had a custard filling with a gritty or grainy texture that just didn't compare to North End Bakehouse's mouth-watering creation. It was clear that this slice was in a league of its own!
But the accolades didn't stop there for North End Bakehouse.
Not content with just winning the Best Vanilla Slice title, they also took home the prize for Best Sourdough Loaf and claimed first place in the Innovative Hot Cross Bun category with their Vegemite-flavoured bun.
Yes, you read that right - Vegemite-flavoured bun! This bakery was clearly on fire, and we can't wait to see what delicious creations they come up with next.
The Victorian Baking Show was a veritable treasure trove of delectable baked goods, with many other talented bakers earning recognition for their outstanding creations.
Sunraysia Bread and Butter Bakery in Mildura, for instance, walked away with the award for Best Pasty, as well as second prize for the Innovative Hot Cross Bun category. Their limited edition sticky date hot cross buns were a perfect balance of flavour and texture, and clearly impressed the judges with their creativity.
Adriano Capretto Bakehouse in Whittlesea was also praised for their Best Fruit Flan, which showcased their skill in creating a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavours.
And let's not forget Country Cob Bakery, which took home not one, but two awards! The bakery won the prize for Best Meat Pie, as well as the coveted Gold Medal for Best Gourmet Pie with their mouth-watering Lamb Ragu pie. Talk about a winning streak.
Last but certainly not least, we have to give a shout-out to the McKinnon Village Bakery, located just an hour south of Melbourne. Their Most Outstanding Sausage Roll was a true standout at the competition, with its perfectly seasoned meat and flaky pastry.
Meanwhile, Banana Boogie Bakery of Belair, South Australia took out the top prize for their Hot Cross Bun, which was clearly a hit with the judges.
With so much talent on display, the 2023 Victorian Baking Show was a feast for the senses, showcasing the best of Australia's baking scene. From sweet to savoury, from classic to innovative, the competition had something for everyone.
We can only imagine the mouth-watering aromas that filled the air at the event as more than a hundred bakeries from around the country presented their best-baked goods. We honestly just wish we could have been there…
For those lucky enough to live nearby, visiting these bakeries is a must. And for those who don't, a road trip to sample these treats may be in order. Who knows, you may even find your new favourite bakery!
And if you're feeling inspired by the amazing baked goods from the 2023 Victorian Baking Show, why not try your hand at making your own vanilla slices at home? For those looking for a recipe, we recommend checking out the video below for step-by-step instructions:
Credit: taste.com.au.
These delicious pastries feature layers of flaky puff pastry filled with luscious vanilla custard and topped with a generous layer of sweet icing.Vanilla slices are a staple in bakeries across the country, with Aussies often devouring them alongside their morning coffee or afternoon tea.
But this isn't just any ordinary pastry obsession – vanilla slices have taken Australia by storm and become a bona fide cultural sensation. With fierce competitions and passionate debates over the perfect custard-to-pastry ratio, it's clear that these treats are more than just a dessert.
The excitement reached a fever pitch at the recent 2023 Victorian Baking Show, held in the breathtaking city of Bendigo. Over 140 of the country's top bakeries from states all across Australia gathered to showcase their homemade treats, presenting a staggering 590 baked goods to the esteemed panel of judges.
It was a celebration of all things delicious, and snot blocks were undoubtedly the star of the show!
North End Bakehouse in Shepparton, Victoria, has taken out the prestigious gong of the country's best vanilla slice at the 2023 Victorian Baking Show. Credit: Facebook/North End Bakehouse Shepparton.
Needless to say, the battle for Australia's Best Vanilla Slice was nothing short of epic. After countless mouth-watering treats were put to the test, the coveted title was finally awarded to the amazing North End Bakehouse in Shepparton, Victoria.
The judges were blown away by North End Bakehouse's recipe, which featured an unbelievably creamy custard filling, perfectly tempered fondant, and a crisp, thin pastry that was apparently an absolute joy to eat.
Matt Aylett, the baker behind the award-winning snot block, not only won the coveted title, but he also scored an almost perfect result of 97/100 for his incredible vanilla slice. Now that's what we call an impressive feat!
In an interview on a morning show, Aylett revealed that his years of hard work and dedication to perfecting his vanilla slice recipe had finally paid off. 'We make sure the custard's perfect, pastry's crispy, icing's shiny, everything,' he said proudly. And boy, did it show - the judges were blown away by his incredible creation!
Tony Smith, the executive officer of the Baking Association of Australia, couldn't stop raving about it.
'The judges were unanimous in their decision - this was an absolute standout! The custard was so creamy, and the fondant was tempered to perfection on top. The pastry was crisp and thin, not soggy. It was a truly exceptional vanilla slice,' he said.
Judge John Humphrey was equally impressed, noting that many other entries had a custard filling with a gritty or grainy texture that just didn't compare to North End Bakehouse's mouth-watering creation. It was clear that this slice was in a league of its own!
But the accolades didn't stop there for North End Bakehouse.
Not content with just winning the Best Vanilla Slice title, they also took home the prize for Best Sourdough Loaf and claimed first place in the Innovative Hot Cross Bun category with their Vegemite-flavoured bun.
Yes, you read that right - Vegemite-flavoured bun! This bakery was clearly on fire, and we can't wait to see what delicious creations they come up with next.
The Baking Association of Australia has just declared where you can find the country's best vanilla slice, sausage roll, hot cross bun and pie. Credit: Facebook.
The Victorian Baking Show was a veritable treasure trove of delectable baked goods, with many other talented bakers earning recognition for their outstanding creations.
Sunraysia Bread and Butter Bakery in Mildura, for instance, walked away with the award for Best Pasty, as well as second prize for the Innovative Hot Cross Bun category. Their limited edition sticky date hot cross buns were a perfect balance of flavour and texture, and clearly impressed the judges with their creativity.
Adriano Capretto Bakehouse in Whittlesea was also praised for their Best Fruit Flan, which showcased their skill in creating a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavours.
And let's not forget Country Cob Bakery, which took home not one, but two awards! The bakery won the prize for Best Meat Pie, as well as the coveted Gold Medal for Best Gourmet Pie with their mouth-watering Lamb Ragu pie. Talk about a winning streak.
Last but certainly not least, we have to give a shout-out to the McKinnon Village Bakery, located just an hour south of Melbourne. Their Most Outstanding Sausage Roll was a true standout at the competition, with its perfectly seasoned meat and flaky pastry.
Meanwhile, Banana Boogie Bakery of Belair, South Australia took out the top prize for their Hot Cross Bun, which was clearly a hit with the judges.
With so much talent on display, the 2023 Victorian Baking Show was a feast for the senses, showcasing the best of Australia's baking scene. From sweet to savoury, from classic to innovative, the competition had something for everyone.
We can only imagine the mouth-watering aromas that filled the air at the event as more than a hundred bakeries from around the country presented their best-baked goods. We honestly just wish we could have been there…
For those lucky enough to live nearby, visiting these bakeries is a must. And for those who don't, a road trip to sample these treats may be in order. Who knows, you may even find your new favourite bakery!
And if you're feeling inspired by the amazing baked goods from the 2023 Victorian Baking Show, why not try your hand at making your own vanilla slices at home? For those looking for a recipe, we recommend checking out the video below for step-by-step instructions:
Credit: taste.com.au.
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