This collection highlights vanilla recipes that celebrate the deep warm flavors of the classic spice. Learn about the differences between pure vanilla extract, paste, and powder.
collection originally published March 11, 2012
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Vanilla spice
Are you one of those people who add more vanilla than what the recipe calls for? Then these recipes are for you!
This collection of recipes highlight the rich warm flavors of vanilla in wonderful presentations of desserts, snacks, dips and smoothies.
Vanilla extract vs vanilla paste
Pure vanilla extract and vanilla bean paste both add delicious vanilla flavor to our recipes. Vanilla extract and paste are similar in strength, and I use them interchangeably in recipes. Here are some differences I have noted with use.
Vanilla bean paste has a gel consistency and seems deeper, richer in flavor. You can see the specks of vanilla, which I love. While pure vanilla extract is not clear in color, it leaves no visible trace of the vanilla bean.
Vanilla paste is my go to when I do not have any actual vanilla bean on hand but want that speckled vanilla to show in my recipe.
Vanilla powder is similar to vanilla bean paste in that the flavor is bolder and richer than a pure vanilla extract liquid. I suspect this is due to the liquid being alcohol based, which can evaporate and decrease the flavors.
I love adding vanilla powder directly to the dry ingredients in baking, and mixing it with coarse sugar for an easy vanilla sugar that is great for dusting and finishing.
Whatever vanilla you prefer, I hope you can find several new recipes to try in our vanilla recipe collection.
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Vanilla Recipes
A delicious collection of recipes that feature the classic warming spice, these vanilla recipes are unique and varied.
These cookie bars bring that classic tangy cinnamon cookie to a rich vanilla blondie. This is a quick and easy, one bowl recipe.
These cut out cookies do not spread! An easy and foolproof sugar cookie recipe that tastes great and rolls easily.
This Blue Majik vanilla milk is a perfect snack or accompaniment to your breakfast pancakes. Brimming with nutrients, flavor and color.
A delicious recipe for a vegan and gluten free version of the classic and decadent dessert.
Have breakfast or a snack ready in minutes with a minute mug muffin. Choose favorite fillings for a tasty single serve muffin.
A delicious way to use up your over ripe bananas. You will love this quick and easy fritter as a dessert or snack.
These crescent cookies bring perfectly sweet buttery richness in an updated, plant based version and are just as tasty as the original!
This naturally sweetened dip is a fiber and protein rich snack. Our version of a dessert hummus, this is a perfect dip for apples!
This recipe is so tasty, and is quick and easy to make. I always add extra vanilla...
Rich vanilla bark is marbled with bright raspberry and deep blue spirulina for a treat that is lovely to look at.
A sweet loaf of sugared vanilla snickerdoodle bread has all the sweet and tangy flavors of our favorite cinnamon cookie.
Juicy fresh pears are infused with rich vanilla bourbon flavors for a fancy dessert.
Cookies and cream pound cake is what sweet dreams are made of! Moist vanilla cake with your favorite cookie throughout.
Tart sweet lemonade gets a flavor boost with vanilla bean. So refreshing and unique!
This easy method gives you a multi purpose sweetener that has rich, deep flavors.
This classic Australian pastry has rich custard between flaky pastry for a truly lovely dessert.
Perfect for both parties and snacking, this cashew based dip has cheesecake vibes.
about Kristina:
Kristina is spabettie! She found cooking at an early age, and created spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. Kristina turned her culinary training into sharing vibrant vegan food! Read more...
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Lindsay @ Lindsay's List says
I've never even SEEN the powder!! Interesting. Must get some!
spabettie says
the powder is great for smoothies and warm drinks - it doesn't evaporate! and it's just fun. 😉
FoodFeud says
Thanks for clearing that up. Vanilla paste (I wrote pasta too) sounds very delectable. Vanilla pasta, maybe not so much.
spabettie says
oh, I don't know... a vanilla pasta sounds kinda good to me! 😉
Lisa says
I had no idea there WAS paste or powder! Is it a straight swap? The same amount of paste for extract?
spabettie says
hi Lisa - yes, vanilla paste is the same as vanilla extract in strength and flavor - so you can easily substitute the same amount of vanilla extract for any recipe with paste.
Angel says
I hadn't heard of vanilla paste or powder either. I, too, LOVE vanilla and they're beautiful little brown specks. 🙂 Gotta get some paste 🙂
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
I've never used paste. I love vanilla, and pretty much always add more than what's called for.
spabettie says
good to know I'm not the only one... I never measure it, just assuming if I add more I will like it more! 🙂
Charlotte says
I always assume every recipe needs at least a few teaspoons more than it calls for! I really love to use the whole beans. Easier than you'd think!
Kristina Sloggett says
hi Charlotte - you sound like me, I sure love my vanilla! I love scraping the bean too, these jars of paste are as close as I have found if I'm not directly using the real thing!
Shannon Roche says
I love vanilla paste. I haven't seen vanilla powder anywhere, but I would definitely be interested in using it.
spabettie says
vanilla powder is harder to find... I have a baking / decorating shop I go to a lot (oooh, it is pure Heaven!) and that is the first time I ever saw it... then I restocked in Mexico! 🙂
Curt says
I use vanilla powder too. I use it in spice rubs. In fact, honey powder and molasses powder is really good too for rubs.
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
The only time I use imitation vanilla is when I am making a buttercream or cream cheese frosting and I need the frosting to stay REALLY white and the imitation is clear whereas real vanilla will make the whole ting tinged a bit brown. I have also bought a baking supply product that couteracts that; basically a white food dye.
I love vanilla. I have done entire posts on it! But crazy..I have never cooked with vanilla bean paste. What am I waiting for!
Rhonda says
I have never used anything but the extract, I really need to branch out.
Marnely Rodriguez says
I love using vanilla paste because not only do I get the vanilla flavor, but the iconic vanilla specks. And the powder is great in smoothies!
spabettie says
yes - I love the specks! 🙂 the powder goes in my smoothies too, and is great in hot drinks, hot recipes - does not evaporate!
Evan Thomas says
The paste is my favorite. It tastes so much more vanilla-y(definitely a word).
spabettie says
my favorite too - and YES, vanilla-y is absolutely a word!