Considering the artform that is creating a perfect vanilla slice; crisp and flaky pastry, smooth custard that holds its shape and a glaze to highlight the beauty of an already beautiful thing, we sure do a number on the corner store hallmark.

If you’ve ever been tasked with divvying up a vanilla slice to share at the office afternoon tea, you know that it’s a daunting task. Apply the wrong pressure with the wrong implement and the 3D rectangle becomes a squashed mess, all custard squeezed mercilessly out the sides and inevitably scraped up off the plate as slop. The shame.

Related story: This Victorian bakery just won best vanilla slice in Australia for the fifth time

Turns out, there’s a better way.

Melbourne-based bakery Ferguson Plarre’s Bakehouse shared their technique with TikTok last week and to be honest, the solution is so simple we’re feeling a little meek right now.

@fergusonplarresbakehouse When you realise you’ve been cutting a Vanilla Slice wrong your whole life … #fergusonplarre #howtotiktok #howtovideo #howtocut #fergusonplarresbakehouse #vanillaslice #vanillaslice #bakeryhacks #cuttinghacks #melbournebakery ♬ NANANA COLA IAN ASHER EDIT Out Now On SoundCloud – Ian Asher

Don’t want to run the risk of sharing? If you know a brilliant vanilla slice, don’t forget to nominate your favourite in this year’s delicious. 100 awards for 2023.