Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting

madagascar vanilla bean cream cheese frosting on vanilla cupcakes

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…

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Vanilla Bean Carrot Cake

Vanilla Bean Carrot Cake next to Vanilla Beans and Extract

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…

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Red Velvet Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Frosting

picture featuring red velvet cupcakes

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…

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Best Vanilla Beans for Extract

dozens of bottles of vanilla 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…

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Vanilla vs. Vanilla Bean vs. French Vanilla

french vanilla latte with vanilla beans in kitchen

By Kristie | January 1, 2026 (Updated) If you’ve ever stood in a grocery aisle staring at “vanilla,” “vanilla bean,” and “French vanilla,” you’re not alone. These labels get used on ice cream, creamers, coffee syrups, and even protein drinks, and they do not all mean the same thing.

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Lemon Poppy Seed Ricotta Cookies Recipe

Lemon Poppy Seed Ricotta Cookies

It’s Father’s Day weekend and if you are looking for the perfect gift for the man who has everything, look no further! These Lemon Poppy Seed Ricotta Cookies have an unexpected ingredient that guarantees the fluffiest cookie you could ever imagine! Whip your dad up a batch of his new favorite cookie and maybe sneak…

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Cherry Poppy Seed Streusel Cake Recipe

thumbnail for the poppy-seed struesel cake recipe

Cherry season is in full swing, which made this recipe irresistible as I was walking through cherry-filled isles at the store this weekend! I have never been a fan of cherry flavored anything, it all just tasted exactly the same as the cough syrup I had to choke down as a kid. Then at the…

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