An aromatic and richly flavored vanilla paste made in under 10 minutes—combining pure vanilla beans, sugar, and a touch of alcohol to enhance natural vanilla flavor, perfect for baking and desserts.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Vanilla Bean Paste is a must-have for any baker! It’s rich, aromatic, and packed with natural vanilla flavor, offering a depth of taste that pure vanilla extract simply can’t match. Made in just a few minutes, it’s perfect for elevating your favorite desserts like cakes, cookies, ice cream, and even coffee drinks. The blend of vanilla beans, sugar, and corn syrup creates the perfect consistency for adding to any recipe. Best of all, it lasts for up to 3 months in the fridge, so you’ll always have this flavorful ingredient on hand!
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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2 vanilla beans, split lengthwise, seeds scraped
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½ cup granulated sugar
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2 tbsp light corn syrup (or agave syrup)
Directions
Step 1: Dissolve Sugar
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In a small saucepan, combine sugar and corn syrup over low heat, stirring until the sugar just dissolves. Avoid boiling the mixture.
Step 2: Infuse Vanilla Flavor
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Add the vanilla bean seeds and pods into the syrup. Warm gently for 2 minutes to infuse the syrup with the vanilla flavor.
Step 4: Cool and Store
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Remove from heat and let it cool slightly. Transfer everything (pods and syrup) to a small jar.
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Let the paste sit overnight to deepen the flavor. You can remove the pods before using or leave them in for a beautiful presentation.
Step 5: Store
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Store in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Notes
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Consistency Tip: The syrup will thicken slightly as it cools. For a more liquid consistency, simply add a tiny bit more syrup or water.
Servings and Timing
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
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Total Time: ~5 minutes + resting
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Servings: Makes about ½ cup paste
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Kcal: ~180 kcal per 2 tablespoons
FAQs
Can I use vanilla bean paste in place of vanilla extract?
Yes! Vanilla bean paste is a great substitute for vanilla extract in most recipes. Simply swap it out 1:1 for the extract called for in the recipe.
How long will vanilla bean paste last?
Stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator, your vanilla bean paste will last up to 3 months.
Conclusion
This Vanilla Bean Paste is a great way to elevate your baking and desserts with a deeper, more authentic vanilla flavor. It’s easy to make, and the rich taste it adds to your creations will be worth the effort! You’ll never want to go back to store-bought vanilla extract again!
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Vanilla Bean Paste
- Total Time: ~5 minutes + resting
- Yield: Makes about ½ cup paste
Description
An aromatic and richly flavored vanilla paste made in under 10 minutes—combining pure vanilla beans, sugar, and a touch of alcohol to enhance natural vanilla flavor, perfect for baking and desserts.
Ingredients
2 vanilla beans, split lengthwise, seeds scraped
½ cup granulated sugar
2 Tbsp light corn syrup (or agave syrup)
1 Tbsp vodka or bourbon (optional, for preservation and depth)
Instructions
In a small saucepan, combine sugar and corn syrup over low heat, stirring until sugar just dissolves—avoid boiling.
Add vanilla bean seeds and pods; warm gently for 2 minutes to infuse the syrup.
Optional: stir in vodka or bourbon for flavor complexity and preservation.
Remove from heat; let cool slightly. Transfer everything (pods and syrup) to a small jar.
Let sit overnight to deepen flavor. Remove pods before using or leave them in for appearance.
Store in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
