I need to get one quick thing out of the way, and then on to the giveaway details! I want to give a special shout out to Amy from the blog, She Wears Many Hats. Amy created this gorgeous Clicks 4 a Cause button for me to use to raise money for my friend Ann. If you haven’t read about Clicks 4 a Cause, please head over HERE. If you haven’t visited Amy’s blog, get over there right now and show her some comment love. You are in for a treat as Amy has a little something for everyone. Her fantastic travel stories, yummy recipes, great antique finds are all wrapped up in a complete package that includes some gorgeous photos. I fell in love with Amy’s blog the first time I read it and now we’ve become fast blogging friends! Thank you, Amy!
OK – now about the vanilla! When I was younger, I think it was around the time I was in Kindergarten, my grandma Sumner was demonstrating to us all how to properly use a sharp knife. I don’t remember much, except all of us kids were standing around watching her when the knife slipped and she cut her finger pretty badly (in my mind, she cut the tip of her finger off, but I don’t fully remember!). That lesson in how to properly use a knife (or not!) stuck with me because I now refuse to cut anything without a cutting board.
Fast forward 30 years later and I am in my kitchen getting ready to make my friend Sandie’s Creme Brulee. I had a couple of really tough vanilla beans that would not slice open. Being the genius that I am, I picked up one of the beans, held it in the palm of my hand and attempted to cut it open that way. That was not a brilliant decision because the knife slipped and cut open the palm of my hand. Ouch!
One good thing came from that experience. I discovered the joy of Vanilla Bean Paste. Vanilla Bean Paste is much easier to use than vanilla beans, it is less expensive, and has a stronger flavor than pure Vanilla Extract. Plus, you get those great little bean specs in everything you make!
Last week the folks from Singing Dog Vanilla and Red Ape Cinnamon contacted me about trying their products. I am currently trying the Singing Dog Vanilla Bean paste and love how strong the vanilla flavor is! I tried it in these cookies and the frosting and the sweet vanilla flavor was really defined.
Now you get the chance to get your own bottle of Singing Dog Vanilla Bean Paste. All you have to do to be entered in the giveaway is to leave a comment on this post. Make sure you complete the form with your email address so that if your name is chosen at random, I can contact you! If we get over 100 unique comments on this post, I’ll throw in a jar of their Red Ape Cinnamon for the winner as well. All comments must be left by 11pm CST on Wednesday, September 16th. Good luck!
Sugar Cookies (from the kitchen of my friend, Jo Ann Emerson)
- ¾ cup butter or margarine, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 t vanilla (I used 1 Tbs Vanilla Bean Paste)
- 2 ¾ cup flour
- 1 t baking powder
- ½ t salt
- Extra Special Buttercream Frosting (recipe follows)
In a mixing bowl, cream butter & sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until light and fluffy. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Chill for 1 hour or until firm.
On a floured surface, roll a 1/3 of dough to ¼ inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutter. Place on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 375o for 8-10 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Repeat with remaining dough. Frost. Yield: 2 dozen large cookies
Extra Special Buttercream Frosting (from the kitchen of my friend, Jo Ann Emerson)
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup vegetable shortening
- 2 lbs. powdered sugar
- ½ t salt
- 2 t clear vanilla (I used 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste)
- 6-8 oz. whipping cream
Cream butter and shortening until fluffy. Add sugar and continue beating until well blended. Add salt, vanilla and whipping cream. Beat on high speed until icing is fluffy. Note: This frosting should be refrigerated. Yield: 7 ½ cups
This recipe makes enough to frost 2 batches of sugar cookies or an extra large cake. Always start with a little whipping cream and gradually add (humidity affects the amount needed).
FAQs
Because vanilla extract contains no physical vanilla, the flavor is slightly lighter and less robust than vanilla paste.
Can you use vanilla bean paste in cookies? ›
Vanilla bean paste can also be used in baked goods! Try using vanilla puree in white and yellow cakes, shortbread, and sugar cookies! The vanilla bean seeds will stand out in these treats and lend a gourmet look.
What is a substitute for vanilla bean paste in baking? ›
If your recipe calls for paste but you only have extract on hand (or vice versa), you can substitute an equal amount of extract for the paste. For example, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract can be substituted for 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste.
Which is better vanilla bean or vanilla bean paste? ›
The overall flavor in vanilla bean paste is slightly less intense than whole vanilla beans (because it spends time on the shelf), but it still packs a powerful punch. How to Use: Like vanilla extract, add 1 to a few teaspoons of vanilla bean paste to your favorite baked goods and pastry recipes.
How much vanilla bean paste equals 1 teaspoon of vanilla? ›
Vanilla Bean, Extract and Paste Equivalencies
So, if you decide to use vanilla bean paste instead, you need to know how much to use in place of the vanilla bean seeds. One tablespoon of paste is equal to one gourmet bean. Vanilla bean paste can also replace extract in a recipe with 1 teaspoon (tsp.) = 1 tsp.
What is the best vanilla paste for baking? ›
Heilala is the good vanilla
Heilala Vanilla is the delicious, joyous, much-loved ingredient added to the great things in life like baking and birthdays. Grown on rich, Pacific soil and dried under the Polynesian sun, in the Kingdom of Tonga.
Can I use vanilla bean paste instead of vanilla extract in cookies? ›
They're interchangeable imo but if you want the little black flecks of vanilla bean, go with paste. I will say that using paste, if mixing into a lighter colored mixture, usually darkens it a noticeable amount. I've never had that problem with extract. They're interchangeable.
What happens if you don't add vanilla extract to cookies? ›
If you don't have any on hand, you can almost always omit the vanilla without impacting the final texture of your baked goods; although the rich flavor extract—or any form of vanilla—brings will certainly be altered. Just remember one thing: flavor comes first.
Does vanilla bean paste go bad? ›
Store it: Vanilla paste can be stored for up to 3 years when kept in a cool, dark environment. Do not refrigerate your paste, or the container will form condensation and spoil the vanilla. Ready to stock up on vanilla paste?
How much vanilla bean paste to use? ›
It's an extremely cost effective alternative to using vanilla bean pods, with one teaspoon providing the equivalent flavour of a whole pod.
Vanilla extracts, flavors, whole beans, pastes and powders should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature, away from direct heat and sunlight. Refrigeration or freezing will speed up the natural separation of the vanilla essence from the liquid base in extracts.
Can I substitute vanilla bean paste for vanilla bean? ›
If you don't have time to scrape vanilla beans, or you won't use them before they dry out, vanilla bean paste is a great alternative. While it's offered by only a few companies, including Nielsen-Massey and the Spice House, our Test Kitchen pros agree it's worth the search.
What is the substitution for 1 vanilla bean? ›
As a general rule, if a recipe calls for vanilla beans, a teaspoon of either vanilla paste or vanilla extract can work as a great substitute. Alternately, you can use the seeds scraped from half a vanilla bean in place of a teaspoon of extract.
Is vanilla bean paste more potent than extract? ›
Consistency: Vanilla paste has a thicker consistency that includes specks from vanilla bean seeds. By contrast, vanilla extract is a liquid tincture without any specks from vanilla beans. Flavor: With the inclusion of ground vanilla bean powder, vanilla paste has a slightly more intense flavor than vanilla extract.
How long is homemade vanilla paste good for? ›
Store it: Vanilla paste can be stored for up to 3 years when kept in a cool, dark environment. Do not refrigerate your paste, or the container will form condensation and spoil the vanilla. Ready to stock up on vanilla paste?
