Easy Recipes Using Vanilla Bean Paste

Slofoodgroup Team December 18, 2021

What to do with vanilla bean paste: Simple ways to in incorporate vanilla flavor into meals, snacks, desserts, and beverages

So you have vanilla bean paste and aren’t sure what to do with it—count yourself lucky, that’s a pretty great problem to have! Vanilla bean paste is so versatile and easy to use. It can be slathered for a flavor pop; it blends smoothly into liquids, doughs, or frostings to add an element of comfort and depth; and the intensity of the concentrated flavor means it can easily become the standout ingredient in any dish. So what will you do with yours? Read on to find some of our favorite (and easy) uses for vanilla bean paste.

Maple Vanilla Yogurt with Berries

For this application, we like to start with a plain greek yogurt so we can control the sweetness and flavor, but feel free to use any yogurt you prefer. For 2 cups of yogurt, you’ll want to stir in 1 tablespoon of vanilla paste and 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. If you want it to be sweeter or more flavorful, feel free to mix in a bit more of each. Top your yogurt with fresh berries and a sprinkle of ceylon cinnamon. This healthy use for vanilla bean paste is so decadent you might fool your taste buds into thinking you are eating dessert!

Vanilla Ice Cubes

Want to impress your guests with the details? Try stirring a tablespoon of vanilla bean paste into your water prior to pouring it into your ice cube trays (even better, stir in vanilla paste and drop in a few gold flakes). Add these ice cubes into their cocktails, sit back, and accept the compliments with grace as your guests begin to notice the flecks of vanilla caviar and gold. They’ll love the way the vanilla flavor infuses into their drinks as the ice cubes begin to melt. Try it with our spiced grapefruit gin and tonic or a vanilla old fashioned. 

Stir into Cocktails

Like the idea of incorporating vanilla bean paste into your cocktails but don’t have the time to wait for ice cubes to freeze—no problem. Vanilla bean paste can add a pop of sweetness and flavor to just about any cocktail, whether shaken or stirred. 

Vanilla Cream 

It doesn’t get easier than vanilla cream. Simply stir in a tablespoon of vanilla paste and a couple of tablespoons of powdered sugar to 2 cups of heavy cream and stir it together. Use it for coffee, pour it over stone fruit like peaches or nectarines, or take an extra 5 minutes and make a beautifully vanilla speckled whipped cream to top all of your favorite desserts. 

Vanilla, Mascarpone, and Strawberry Crepes

Vanilla bean paste is incredible on crepes. Spread a thin layer on your crepe and top  with all of your favorite ingredients before rolling it up and indulging or try our favorite trinity of crepe fillings—vanilla, mascarpone, and strawberries. Lay your crepe out on a plate, spread a thin layer of mascarpone over the inside of it, followed by a thin layer of vanilla paste, and thinly-sliced strawberries. At this point, you can either roll your crepe and serve or add a chiffonade of fresh basil or mint leaves.

Vanilla Smoothies

This might just be the easiest use for vanilla bean paste we know of. Just add a tablespoon of your paste to your other smoothie ingredients prior to blending and, voila, you will have the tastiest morning smoothie to start your day!

We hope you enjoyed this list of simple vanilla bean paste applications. If you don’t have enough of this phenomenal ingredient on hand to try them all, you can find our premium Madagascar vanilla paste in our online store (along with a handy product conversion chart) or, if you want to try your hand at making your own, learn how in this 4 minute how-to video for making vanilla bean paste from scratch!