Vanilla bean paste is a thick, syrupy paste made from vanilla beans, sugar, and water. It’s intensely flavorful and can be used in place of vanilla extract or vanilla beans in any recipe. Plus, it’s easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients!
A small jar can cost upwards of $10, which is a lot to spend on something that you may not use very often. But what if I told you that you could make vanilla bean paste at home for a fraction of the cost? And it’s really easy to make, too!
All you need is some vanilla beans, alcohol (vodka or rum work well), and a little bit of time. Keep reading for the full recipe.
What is Vanilla Bean Paste?
Vanilla bean paste is a thick, syrupy paste made from vanilla beans, sugar, and water. It’s intensely flavorful and can be used in place of vanilla extract or vanilla beans in any recipe. Plus, it’s easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients!
Vanilla bean paste is perfect for baking because it doesn’t add any additional liquid to your recipe like vanilla extract does. That means it won’t throw off the delicate balance of wet to dry ingredients. And because it’s so concentrated, a little goes a long way so you don’t need to use as much as you would if you were using extract.
1 TABLESPOON VANILLA BEAN PASTE = 1 TABLESPOON VANILLA EXTRACT = 1 WHOLE VANILLA BEAN = 1/2 TABLESPOON GROUND VANILLA BEAN POWDER
*The potency of vanilla bean pastes and powders vary depending on the product. If you’re using a store-bought version, be sure to check how potent it is before using it in a recipe.
What recipes go well with Vanilla Bean Paste?
Vanilla bean paste is great for adding flavor and richness to any baked good, but it’s particularly well-suited for baking cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and quick breads. It would also be a delicious addition to ice cream or custard recipes. You can even use it in savory dishes like mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables for an extra layer of flavor. Some popular vanilla bean paste recipes include:
- Classic Vanilla Cupcakes
- Easy Homemade Ice Cream
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Vanilla Bean Cream Sauce
- Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Bars
- Maple Glazed Carrots with Vanilla Bean Buttercream Frosting
Why you should love it
- Intense, rich & indulgent flavor
- Doesn’t evaporate when heated
- Zero boozy afterburn
- Instagram ready – Beautiful specks of vanilla bean!
- Mixes really well – no clumping
- Minimal waste – and the pod has tons of flavor!
- No nasties – chemical additives
Before you get started
You’ll need some utensils such as a sharp paring knife, a cutting board, a measuring cup, and a small saucepan. You’ll also need some vanilla beans (either real or infused), vodka or rum, and a jar to store your paste in.
Also cheese cloth and a good jar is useful for storage.
How to Make Vanilla Bean Paste
Ingredients:
3-4 vanilla beans
1/2 cup vodka or rum
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cooking Steps
Making your own vanilla bean paste at home is really easy! All you need is some vanilla beans, sugar, water, and a little bit of time.
Start by splitting the vanilla beans down the center with a sharp knife. Then scrape out the tiny seeds inside with the back of the knife.
Run through a food processor, and pulse until you have a consistent mixture.
Add the seeds and pod halves to a small saucepan along with the sugar and water.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Carefully transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 months.
This homemade vanilla bean paste recipe is so easy to make and tastes so much better than store-bought! It’s perfect for baking because it doesn’t add any additional liquid to your recipe like vanilla extract does. Plus, it’s concentrated so a little goes a long way! Give this recipe a try the next time you’re whipping up something sweet in the kitchen. Enjoy!
