My Top Vanilla Bean Paste Recipes
Vanilla Bean Paste is one of the most versatile baking ingredients, offering deep vanilla flavor and the visual appeal of real vanilla beans specks or “caviar”. In this post, I’m sharing my top recipes using vanilla bean paste, along with practical ideas for where it shines most: from everyday baking to special desserts to just a stir into your coffee. These recipes I return to again and again because vanilla bean paste adds both flavor and consistency in a wide range of culinary applications.
What is Vanilla Bean Paste?
Vanilla bean paste is a thick, aromatic vanilla product made from real vanilla beans, spirits, and an inert sugar like granulated sugar or honey. This paste combinies the intense flavor of vanilla extract with the visual appeal of vanilla bean seeds. Unlike extract, vanilla bean paste has a syrup-like consistency and contains visible specks of ground vanilla beans, making it especially useful in baking and desserts where both flavor and appearance matter.
Because vanilla bean paste is concentrated and stable, it can be used in a wide range of recipes—from cakes and cookies to custards, frostings, ice cream, and beverages—typically as a one-to-one substitute for vanilla extract. The result is deeper vanilla flavor and the signature flecked look traditionally associated with scraped vanilla beans, without the need to split and seed whole pods.
It is shelf stable only requiring a cool dark place to store just like any other extract or seasoning in your pantry.
How to use vanilla bean paste:
Vanilla bean paste is ideal for:
• Custards and puddings
• Ice cream and frozen desserts
• Pastry cream and cream-based fillings
• Whipped cream and frostings
• Cakes, cookies, and simple glazes
• Soufflés and baked desserts where vanilla is the primary flavor
Other ways to use vanilla bean paste:
• Stir into half-and-half or cream to make homemade vanilla coffee creamer
• Add to yogurt, oatmeal, or pancakes for extra vanilla flavor
• Use in beverages where vanilla should be visible and aromatic– milkshakes, floats, cocktails with vanilla notes
How to measure Vanilla Bean Paste vs Vanilla Extract
In most recipes, vanilla bean paste can be substituted for vanilla extract at a one-to-one ratio. If a recipe calls for one teaspoon of vanilla extract, use one teaspoon of vanilla bean paste.
Because vanilla bean paste is slightly thicker and more concentrated, it’s best measured with a spoon rather than poured. This ensures accuracy and helps distribute the vanilla evenly throughout the recipe.
Vanilla bean paste works especially well as a direct substitute in baked goods, custards, frostings, and beverages where both flavor and visible vanilla bean specks are desired.
Large 6oz jars for local pastry chefs 
Plumb oily vanilla beans from Madagascar
What kinds of beans are used in our Vanilla Bean Paste
- Madagascar Bourbon Cure V. planifolia– the world’s most plentiful bean is rich with cream, butter and caramel notes. It is a very “vanilla” vanilla aroma. These beans are at least 13cm in length. We also use these beans in our vanilla extract. Grade A only. “Bourbon Cure” is a drying process and refers to the Bourbon Islands. These beans do not contain bourbon. Moisture content- 30-35%.
- New Guinea V. planifolia– This is a very pliable bean perfect for processing in paste with cream, cherry and caramel notes. We use Grade A beans. Moisture content 15-25%.
- Uganda V. planifolia- Strong creamy and chocolate notes and loads of caviar make this a perfect bean for vanilla paste. Grade A only. Moisture content 30-35%.
Vanilla Bean Paste Recipes
Cookies and Cakes using Vanilla Bean Paste
- 1..Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- 2. Oatmeal Pecan Pumpkin Scotchies
- 3. Salted Brown Butter Pecan Cookies
- 4. Bourbon Maple Pecan Bars
- 5. The Met Market Copy Cat Double Chocolate Chip Cookie
Cookies and Cakes con’t.
- 6. Vanilla Pound Cake
- 7. Vanilla Bean Sheet Cake ( Our Famous Farmers’ Market Cake)
- 8. Pistachio Cake
- 9. Ricotta Cake
- 10. Pumpkin Spice Bars/ Cake with Maple Glaze
Vanilla Bean Paste in custards, puddings and cream desserts
- 11. Easy Plum Galette with Luxurious Créme Fraîche Topping
- 12. Rustic Apricot Galette with Vanilla Bean Mascarpone Cream
- 13. The Very Best Southern Banana Pudding
- 14. Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
- 15. Vanilla Sauce for Soufflé’s, Bread Pudding or Ice Cream
- 16. Banana Pots de Créme
- 17. Chocolate Cream Pie
Vanilla Bean Paste Breakfast Recipes
- 18. Banana & Oat Breakfast Muffins
- 19. Buckwheat Pancakes
- 20. Ultimate Banana Bread
- 21. Banana Custard French Toast
- 22. Make -Ahead Pumpkin French Toast Strata
- 23. Pumpkin Scones
- 24. Apple Coffee Cake
Beverages using Vanilla Bean Paste
- 25. 5 Ingredient Sugar Free Vanilla Almond Milk
- 26. Homemade Vanilla Coffee Creamer
- 27. Money’s Egg Nog
Bonus:
- 28. Gasparilla Pirate Milk Punch
- 29. Homemade Irish Cream
- 30. Boozy Celtic Coffee with Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream
Where to Find our Vanilla Bean Paste
How to Order
About our Organic Vanilla Beans
Vanilla beans are grown in conditions where chemicals and fertilizers are not needed, but our beans are USDA certified organic. They are all hand pollenated. These beans are hand selected for their superior flavor components. Our supplier uses vanilla beans that are traditionally cured using the Bourbon curing method to develop the full, complex vanilla flavor made of over 200 organic compounds that artificial vanilla (labels read: Natural Vanilla Flavor) cannot properly replicate.
