Where “Vanilla Slice” Comes From
A vanilla slice is made from set custard between two layers of crisp pastry, topped with icing. It’s very popular in Australian bakeries, and bakeries often compete to make the best one.
The joking nickname “snot block” is well known.
“I’ll have a vanilla slice with my coffee.”
How Aussies Actually Use It
It’s the answer to “What’s your favourite bakery treat?” for plenty of Aussies.
In Real Life
A vanilla slice is a bakery counter classic. Set custard is sandwiched between two layers of flaky pastry and finished with icing, which is often white or passionfruit. Bakeries are proud of theirs, and eating one neatly is famously hard because the custard squeezes out. Plenty of country-town bakeries are known for their slice.
Quick Questions
Is a vanilla slice the same as a custard slice?
They’re very close. “Vanilla slice” is the most common Australian name, and some bakeries use “custard slice”.
Why is it called a snot block?
It’s an affectionate joke about the wobbly custard. The nickname is well known, but you’ll see “vanilla slice” on the label.
Say It Like an Aussie
Say it: vuh-NIL-uh SLICE.
In conversation:
- Grab a vanilla slice from the bakery.
- Dad loves a vanilla slice.
- The vanilla slice was massive.
Good to know: Many Aussies call it a “snot block” as a joke. It’s a bakery classic and a favourite at country-town bakeries.
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