I was chatting with Adelaide-based workmates this week about the 2025 South Australian Baking Award-winning vanilla slice from The Village Baker.
When I looked at the website, I saw they also had a passionfruit icing option. I am a fan of passionfruit icing. My dream icing is pink passionfruit icing, but I've only seen homemade vanilla slices with pink passionfruit icing.
When I arrived, I saw in the display that the "standard" vanilla slice was the award winner. In my mind, I needed to buy both versions and eat them.
Both vanilla slices are superb. The pastry wasn't soggy. The custard was delightfully creamy and smooth with a vanilla flavour without being too sweet.
The standard icing is okay. It's a bit thick for me and a bit too sweet.
The passionfruit fudge icing, on the other hand, is fantastic. I love anything sweet and tart. Tarty sweetness makes my lips tingle and "sing". The passionfruit fudge is thick, but it doesn't "feel" thick in my mouth, and it's great to crunch the passionfruit seeds between my teeth.
I ate the standard vanilla slice first because I wanted to finish with the tartness of the passionfruit fudge icing.
I can appreciate why The Village Baker's standard vanilla slice won this year's baking award. I prefer their passionfruit fudge vanilla slice. read more