It’s just not dessert without vanilla. But how can you choose the right vanilla for your recipe? Read on to learn how to navigate the vanilla aisle for next-level baking, every time.
First, what is vanilla?
Vanilla comes from the seed pod of vanilla orchids. Each vanilla pod (or vanilla bean) is long and slender, filled with seeds, also called vanilla caviar, which are loaded with flavour compounds and provide the rich, creamy vanilla flavour you love.
Once it’s harvested and dried, vanilla can be turned into a few types of flavourings:
Vanilla beans
Whole vanilla beans include the entire dried pod. To cook with them, you’ll need to slice each pod lengthwise and scrape out the caviar inside.
Vanilla extract
Vanilla extract is made by steeping dried vanilla beans in a mixture of alcohol and water. Natural vanilla extract is made using real vanilla beans, and offers a complex, nuanced vanilla flavor. Artificial vanilla extract is made using purified flavour compounds naturally found in vanilla, imparting a pungent — but less complex — flavour.Vanilla paste
Vanilla paste is made from a combination of vanilla powder, made from grinding dry vanilla beans, along with vanilla extract. To use it, simply add the desired amount to your recipe.
Which type of vanilla should you use in your cooking?
Ultimately, the vanilla you choose depends on what you’re making and what you want it to taste like.
Most of the time, your best option is to cook with vanilla extract. That’s because extract is shelf-stable, so you can easily keep it on hand for your baking sessions. It’s also the most economical option, costing pennies per serving.
The best vanilla recipes to indulge your sweet tooth
These 8 easy recipes are ideal anytime you need a pick-me-up:
Quick and Easy French Toast
Brunch doesn’t get more delicious than this! This simple French toast tastes amazing, thanks to a combination of vanilla extract and a pinch of ground cinnamon.
Ultimate Cinnamon Rolls
Speaking of cinnamon, these homemade cinnamon rolls are sure to become your new favourite treat. A mix of cinnamon and nutmeg and warm, cozy notes, while a vanilla-spiked cream cheese glaze brings the flavour over the top.
Banana Pudding
If you’ve never made your own banana pudding, you’ve been missing out. Our recipe is rich and decadent, using vanilla extract and vanilla pudding mix to double down on the vanilla.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Snacking on a soft, chewy oatmeal cookie is the best way to spend an afternoon — and our recipe will make you seriously nostalgic. But it’s also adaptable: Try using pecans and dried cranberries in place of raisins, or add chocolate chips for a sweeter twist.
Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Cookies
How do you make chocolate chip cookies even better? Add cinnamon, of course! These yummy cookies get a subtle upgrade from cinnamon, adding just a hint of warmth to each bite.
Snickerdoodles
Soft, pillowy cookies topped with a crunchy cinnamon sugar topping? Sign us up! These cookies use vanilla extract to ground the flavour, making these an irresistible treat.
Gingerbread Men Cookies
Vanilla may be a pantry staple year-round, but it really shines at the holidays. It adds satisfying creaminess to these gingerbread men, letting the spices take center stage without feeling overwhelming.
Carrot Cake Swirled Cream Cheese Bars
These cheesecake-inspired bars are oh-so-pretty. And they just wouldn’t be the same without vanilla. Vanilla extract helps sweeten up the cream cheese, creating a rich base to complement the flavours of classic carrot cake.
