Is there anything better than stopping at a country bakery mid-road trip and treating yo' self to a thick, glossy slab of custard sandwiched between two crisp, flaky sheets of pastry? We sure don't think so, and now you've got a good excuse to hit the road this weekend because the best vanilla slice in all of Australia has just been crowned – and you can find it right here in Victoria.
Last week, bakeries from across the country headed to Merbein on the Murray River to face off in the Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph. This nationwide bakery battle has been running since 1998, when then-Victorian premier Jeff Kennett discovered what he claimed was the best vanilla slice. To settle the score, he launched a competition to crown Australia’s finest snot block – and the title has been hotly contested ever since.
So, what makes a winning vanilla slice? According to the judges, “when tasted, the slice should reveal custard with a creamy, smooth texture and a balance of vanilla taste with a crisp, crunchy pastry topped with a smooth and shiny glaze/fondant”.
Well, the vanilla slice at Sharp's Bakery in Birchip (a small rural town in north-west Victoria) certainly fit that criteria, because it has claimed the crown for 2025. Family-owned since 1977, the Birchip institution has previously won the title in 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2022, and was runner-up in 2024.
"We made around 1,800 vanilla slices last week, and it looks like it will be around 1,500 this week," owner and baker Brad Sharp told Time Out. "That is double what we would usually sell, so it's been fantastic."
Last year’s champion, Banana Boogie Bakery from the Adelaide Hills, once again impressed, taking out the runner-up spot. And it was another Victorian bakery that rounded out the top three, with Sunraysia Bread and Butter Bakery (which has stores in Mildura and Irymple) claiming the bronze medal. Their Dubai-inspired vanilla slice also won first place in the Innovation category.
So, who's keen to take a drive to Birchip? You can check out the full list of winners here.
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