Sunday, January 26, 2014

Vanilla Slices for Australia Day



Happy Australia Day!  To celebrate today, I have made an Aussie classic - Vanilla Slices.  The recipe that I used is from a classic Aussie bakery - the More Secrets of the Beechworth Bakery cookbook.   Their vanilla slices are highly regarded - for a review, check out the Vanilla Slice Blog, or just search for them online.

As the recipe has not been published elsewhere, I am not going to share it here either, given that this is one of the Beechworth Bakery's signature bakes.  However, I will tell you that this vanilla slice is made using puff pastry top and bottom, with a custard made from cream and eggs and lots and lots of cornflour and custard powder to give it a nice yellow colour and a firm set.  I chose to make the optional passionfruit icing rather than plain pink icing - who wouldn't?

As an added extra for Australia Day, here is a picture of a lovely native parrot eating see from a bird feeder in my mother's backyard:

 
I realise that the Kiwis hate these invaders to their shores with a passion, but we appreciate them here.  They are so pretty, although they are very bossy and very noisy.
 
Wishing all Aussies, wherever they may be, a wonderful and relaxing Australia Day.

13 comments:

  1. Happy Australia Day Cakelaw - love your vanilla slice - I would choose the passionfruit icing too

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  2. I'd forgotten all about vanilla slices! I don't think I've seen one about for ages, and eaten one for even longer. Thanks for reminding me - they were a childhood favourite :)

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  3. OMG I adore vanilla slices and I really want to make one but I'm scared of not being able to stop eating them. Does that even make sense? :P

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  4. LOVE Vanilla Slice - Happy Australia Gaye!

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  5. Happy Australia day to you! Love your vanilla slice and am jealous that you get wild parrots in your garden!

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  6. Oh how lovely! Both the vanilla slice and the parrot! Happy Australia Day!

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  7. Yummy. What a nice looking treat to celebrate Australia day.

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  8. Happy Australia Day, Cakelaw. I can't believe I almost missed it. I was actually expecting Lamingtons for dessert but am pleasantly pleased to see you baked Vanilla slices and honored the "secret."

    I know I adore Lamingtons, but have never heard of these. Oh how I wish I could just have a nibble. I'm saving this post for next year. Who knows, perhaps the recipe will be "public" by then, lol...

    I love that you have visits from Parrots. That is just so cool. Thank you so much for sharing, Cakelaw. I hope you had a wonderful day...

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    1. LOL - you never know. I hope you do get to try a vanilla slice some day.

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