Have Iced VoVo bikkies really changed? Arnott's settles the debate

Who knew such a cute bikkie could be so controversial.

arnott's iced vovo biscuit

Over the years, a lot of discourse has circled about an iconic Aussie bikkie: the Iced VoVo. 

The biscuit has allegedly changed in size, with many VoVo fans who say the biscuit used to be bigger. Others say that the recipe has changed too, claiming the iconic pink topping was once a marshmallow topping.

However, this is a simple case of the Mandela Effect, as Arnott’s recently confirmed the topping was never fluffy marshmallow and has always been a smooth fondant icing.

It. Was. Never. Marshmallow. 

In fact, an Arnott’s spokesperson told us: “Our Iced VoVo recipe, comprising of a golden biscuit topped with pink fondant, a strip of sweet raspberry jammy flavoured topping and sprinkle of coconut, has stayed the same for decades, as has its size.”

The taste.com.au team was pretty shocked to learn this info (you’d think after years of consuming millions of Arnott’s bikkies we’d know them pretty well):

“Either I’ve grown or they’ve shrunk, but I SWEAR they used to be bigger”.” – Marina

“I remember when I first moved to Australia a friend gave me an Iced VoVo and specifically told me it was a MARSHMALLOW-topped biscuit. I never thought to question it! I’m going to call that friend and let them know their tastebuds have been lying to them all these years!” – Laura

“As a vego, I’d been denying myself Iced VoVos until THIS YEAR when a friend told me they’re not actual marshmallows!” – Sonya

But real Iced VoVo fans have always known the VoVo lore:

“I don’t ever recall them being marshmallow, it definitely was/is/will always be a fondant-topped bikkie.” – Australia’s #1 Iced VoVo fan, Georgia (me)

How to make Iced VoVos at home

Now that we’ve put the VoVo rumours to rest, we can get on making our very own Iced VoVos at home. 

A couple of years ago, Arnott’s released a recipe for the iconic Iced VoVo.The recipe was adapted for home bakers and instead of a rectangle biscuit, the recipe creates 36 heart-shaped shortbread biscuits made from butter, icing sugar, salt and flour. Cute! 

The biscuit is topped with the SIGNATURE fondant icing (I know you don’t want to believe it) made from icing sugar, vanilla, glucose syrup, red food colouring and an egg white – this icing is more commonly known as royal icing and has a soft texture and slightly hardens on the outside when dry. 

The icing and jam are simply piped on in the same stripes as a store-bought VoVo and sprinkled with desiccated coconut before the icing dries. 

Once you’re finished making your Iced VoVos, why not try them in our Iced VoVo lamingtons? Strewth, they’re about as Aussie as a baked treat can get.

Originally published as Have Iced VoVo bikkies really changed? Arnott's settles the debate