Madagascar Vanilla Beans Archives %%

Blueberry Lemon Poppy Seed Energy Balls

thumbnail for the poppy-seed energy balls recipe

Who else needs a quick fix on the way out of the door or after a workout? These Energy Balls are packed with goodness, and easy to grab! I adapted this recipe from Ashley Fehr over at The Recipe Rebel, adding my own twist and of course our Blue Bird Poppy Seeds™! These are easily customizable,…

Honey Poppy Seed Cookies

You probably won’t be surprised that the way to my heart has always been through soft, chewy cookies. One of my earliest memories involving cookies revolves around one that my friends’ mom used to make. They were fluffy and chewy and oh so delectable! While I could never figure out what gave them the unique…

Madagascar Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cookies

chocolate chip cookies with vanilla beans and chocolate chips

Hello, again my Blue Birds, it’s great to see you! You’ve probably had a crazy couple of weeks (haven’t we all), so I thought you might enjoy some tasty recipes! Hopefully, you have as much fun as we do baking, and it helps relieve stress in a delicious way. You’ve come to the right place…

Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting

I have always loved frosting! But one thing I don’t love is overpowering sweetness. Most frostings get too sweet, too quickly, BUT… never fear! I have mastered a perfectly balanced frosting that is sure to please even the pickiest dessert connoiseseur. This frosting is incredibly versatile, but we always love it on top of our…

Vanilla Bean Carrot Cake

Carrot cake has always held a special place in my heart and tummy! I have always favored dense cakes that are jam-packed with beautiful textures and flavors. This cake checks all of those boxes! Before you lose your mind, I have chosen to use pecans in the variation because I hate walnuts. Feel free to substitute…

Irish Delight Cupcakes Recipe

Irish Delight Cupcakes Stacked on Plates

What could be better than an ice-cold Guinness with a side of Jameson at the end of the day? Having an excuse to enjoy it in the middle of the day!! These cupcakes are a delightful blend of all the best Ireland has given us. A simple, creamy buttercream perfectly tops off the rich, chocolatey…

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Frosting

Holy cupcakes! I personally have never met a cupcake that I didn’t like, but let me tell you; these cupcakes are next level!! I think that red velvet can be easily lost in the sea of cupcake flavors and I am telling you they deserve some love. Don’t know whether your guest likes chocolate or…

Best Vanilla Beans for Extract

Vanilla Extract is a wonderful way to add the unique taste of vanilla to your food or beverage. Many of you are looking into creating your own, and you’re searching for the best vanilla beans for extract. This is an important choice; quality vanilla beans will greatly improve the ultimate flavor. You’ve come to the…

Best Alcohol for Vanilla Extract

Have you decided to create your own vanilla extract? It’s a great idea, but you will want to ensure you are using quality ingredients. The two primary ingredients in any extract are the vanilla beans and the alcohol. The alcohol is responsible for extracting the complex vanilla flavor. The best options will actually enhance the…

Aging Vanilla Extract

Properly aging vanilla extract is very important, but it is often overlooked and/or misunderstood. It has become even more relevant as the market has transitioned from synthetic vanilla domination to natural vanilla bean extracts. A focus on quality means that many consumers have started their own vanilla bean extracts, whether from scratch or by purchasing…