Vanilla, Let Me Count the Ways

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I love Vanilla anything.  Always have, always will.

Here are just a few things I found in my kitchen in a matter of seconds that are vanilla related

Various vanilla products on countertop

I found this Vanilla Sugar in Aruba

Container of Vanilla Sugar

I found this gourmet real vanilla extract on sale at my local Ralph’s grocery store. $12.99 for 8 ounces.  That is insanely cheap for real vanilla extract.  The McCormick’s “non-gourmet” vanilla is about $7.99 for 2 ounces.  The math definitely pencils out on the Rodelle.

Gourmet Vanilla Extract bottle

If you have a TJ’s near you, this is definitely worth the $4.99 for 4 ounces.  Better grab this and some peanut flour.

Pure Bourbon Vanilla Extract Bottle

You can make Vegan Bourbon Vanilla Softserve with it

Vegan Bourbon Vanilla Softserve in blender

Or Vegan Vanilla Chocolate Chip Softserve

Ingredients for Vegan Vanilla Chocolate Chip Softserve in blender
Chocolate chunks added to blended softserve
Side view of ingredients in blender

That’s a bourbon vanilla pool

And Vanilla Stevia is a staple for me

Liquid Vanilla Stevia bottle

Check out my Stevia Recipes Compilation Post for the many ways I use stevia.

And I love Vanilla candles

French Vanilla candleFor grocery store type candles, this Glade one does a good job of really making the air smell vanilla-ey.  Sometimes candles are so “faint”, I find them to be a waste of money.

I also love vanilla lotions, bodyspray, perfumes, and anything vanilla-scented.

And I love vanilla in Drinks.

Vegan Vanilla Hot CocoaGuiltless and fast.

Vegan Vanilla Hot Cocoa in mug

And I love vanilla in Food.  And Desserts.

Raw Vegan Apple Crumble

 

Raw Vegan Apple Crumble
Side view of Raw Vegan Apple Crumble in clear container

That is Vanilla-Agave-Cinnamon “Juice”

Vegan Caramels

Overhead of Vegan Caramels

Only 3 ingredients in these and one of them is vanilla.

Close up of Vegan Caramels

And Vegan Peanut Butter Vanilla Balls

Vegan Peanut Butter Vanilla Balls

 

Close up of Vegan Peanut Butter Vanilla Balls
 
Yes, I love vanilla.
 
From my last post about the discontinuation of Trader Joe’s Peanut Flour, yes, sorry to be the bearer of bad news for anyone who’s a fan who didn’t already know that. Seems many of you were caught off guard.
 
It was good to hear what foods you have tried lately or have tried because of the sphere.  Many of you said Peanut Flour was on your list.   And it was fun to hear what foods you tried but didn’t like.
 
Questions:
1. How’s your Hump Day going?
Mine has been busy.
 
But…Today is the actual day of Skylar’s birthday!
Young girl in pink zip up sweater smiling
She’s officially 4 as of today! And I can’t believe I was in labor 4 years ago and she was 6 pounds back then.
Young girl smiling with head tilted towards shoulder
We celebrated over the weekend, she had a party on Monday with her little friends, and today it’s a Mommy ‘n Skylar afternoon in between juggling work and everything else.
Young girl with arms crossed smiling
2. Are you a fan of vanilla?  What kinds of vanilla items do you love?  How do you use it?
I use vanilla extract in just about every sweet recipe, bakery item, cookie, cake, raw dessert, granola bar, or muffin you can think of.   And slather vanilla lotion, bodywash, and bodyspray on, too!
 
3. Any other scents or flavors you really love?
I did a post on scents and memories and mentioned some of my fave perfumes and scents.   Anything that’s sweet, smells like chocolate, or cookies or bread baking….mmm, good.
 
Time for me to be with the Birthday Girl!

About the Author

Welcome to AverieCooks! Here you’ll find fast and easy recipes that taste amazing and are geared for real life. Nothing fussy or complicated, just awesome tasting dishes everyone loves!

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Comments

  1. I simply want to tell you that I am just very new to blogging and certainly savored this blog site. Almost certainly I’m want to bookmark your blog . You really come with really good posts. Thanks a bunch for sharing your website page.

  2. I enjoy vanilla, as well. I always use it in baking and my oats in the morning. It’s also my favourite ice cream. I don’t like it as much as a scent on my body, but I do love it in candles.

  3. I love vanilla too! The hubby’s aunt was bring us back a bunch of bottles from Mexico and she forgot they were in her carry-on and got them confiscated at the airport security! Booo!!! And she is a VERY experienced traveler! We made fun of her :-)

  4. As far as cooking smells and flavors, vanilla and chocolate are my absolute favorite. I love the smell of sweets baking or the smell as you’re mixing it all together. I also LOVE the smell of soups or stews, mmm. When it comes to body sprays, perfumes or lotions, I tend to lean more towards really fresh scents, like citrus or something that reminds me of crisp air. I don’t like things that make me feel like I’m choking or that make me feel congested of any sort, as some really musky scents do.

  5. Vanilla is awesome, I love adding it to chocolate desserts that do not call for it. I need to order more vanilla stevia, yum.

    1. I went okay, spent a little too much time troubleshooting a script issue on my site, but oh well. :-)
    2. Yes, I always add plenty to nut and seed milks, smoothies, desserts, oatmeal, chia seed pudding and soft serve.
    3. Chocolate, caramel, garlic, ginger, balsamic – this list could go one for ages. :-)

  6. Great photos of Skylar with a wonderful smile on her face. And her hair is looking so long these days.

    I use vanilla extract in my baking, and some of my unbaking too. Don’t like vanilla flavoured drinks though.

  7. im so with you!! i think i put vanilla in EVERYTHING i bake.. or make for that matter! along with vanilla id say i LOVE the smell of gingerbread, cinnamon, and peanut butter hehe!

  8. Happy Birthday Skylar!!!!!! (again :D hehehe)
    Hope she had a really fun day with her mum!
    Mmmmmmm Im also a Vanilla fan!
    Vanilla perfume, vanilla milkshakes, vanilla candles, vanilla ice cream!! Mmm Mmm!