The $5 Baking Staple I Stock Up On Every Year Is Finally Back at Trader Joe's
This is the best price I've ever seen it for!
Mike Mozart/Flickr/Allrecipes
When it comes to baking and creating sweet treats in the kitchen, vanilla bean paste is a gourmet ingredient that brings luxury, elegance, and beauty to both your table and palate. Seeing those gorgeous flecks of vanilla bean seeds incorporated throughout a dish, smelling and tasting the warm and powerful aroma of the vanilla bean, and enjoying the distinct rich flavor of the vanilla pod (rather than vanilla extract which has been diffused with alcohol) makes vanilla bean paste a truly special ingredient. It's something all home cooks should have an opportunity to create with in their very own kitchens.
If you’ve ever shopped for vanilla bean paste, you already know that it’s not cheap. While a little may go a long way, it’s probably not going to make the cut on your grocery list if you’re trying to remain budget-conscious. That’s why when I spotted Trader Joe’s Organic Vanilla Bean Paste back on shelves, I was absolutely thrilled and couldn’t wait to spread the word about why we should all be stocking up on this magical baking ingredient from Trader Joe’s while we still can.
What Is Trader Joe’s Organic Vanilla Bean Paste?
Trader Joe's/Allrecipes
Vanilla bean paste is a sweet, thick ingredient that combines the best qualities of pure vanilla extract and vanilla pods. When used in recipes like pound cake, whipped cream, or ice cream, you can see gorgeous flecks of vanilla seeds throughout, because vanilla bean paste incorporates the seeds scraped directly from the vanilla bean pod.
Trader Joe’s Organic Vanilla Bean Paste is made with authentic Madagascar vanilla, and is loaded with these trademark tiny black specks which will add even more of that warm vanilla flavor to your recipe. Add this Organic Vanilla Bean Paste anywhere you’re looking for a very distinct vanilla flavor.
Why You Should Stock Up On Trader Joe’s Organic Vanilla Bean Paste
It’s only available for a limited time: This vanilla bean paste is only available through the holidays, while supplies last, so be sure to grab a few bottles to have on hand before they disappear from the shelves! Trust me—once you try this ingredient, one jar won’t be enough.
The flavor and quality is impressive: Don’t be fooled by the budget-friendly price, this vanilla bean paste does not skimp on quality. It’s highly concentrated, meaning it won’t water down your recipe. Plus, there are tons of vanilla bean seeds per teaspoon, the vanilla aroma is rich and powerful, and it incorporates beautifully when you bake and cook with it. The flavor and texture is ltop notch.
It has a great shelf life: No need to stress about whether or not your Trader Joe’s vanilla bean paste will go to waste if you stock up for months to follow. Sealed, this ingredient will stay good for months in the pantry. I bought mine in October 2023, and the bottle says “Best By February 2025.”
It’s a great deal: This Organic Vanilla Bean Paste costs $4.99 for a 2-ounce bottle. In my experience, this is unheard of! Other brands of quality vanilla paste start at $14.05/2 ounces and prices can reach as hight as $18.48/2 ounces. You can buy about three bottles of the Trader Joe's version for the same price!
How to Use Trader Joe’s Organic Vanilla Bean Paste
Trader Joe’s Organic Vanilla Bean Paste is wonderful in many baked goods, but if you’re trying to preserve your vanilla bean paste (even if you’ve stocked up), I’d suggest saving it for those recipes in which the distinct seeds pop and you can really enjoy that gourmet touch in each bite. This includes recipes like pound cake, sugar cookies, blondies, ice cream, whipped cream, and vanilla pudding.
But don't stop at dessert: This vanilla bean paste is also a wonderful addition to smoothies, oatmeal, homemade tea and coffee beverages, hot chocolate, simple syrups for cocktails like an old fashioned, pancakes and French toast, and more.
How To Substitute Vanilla Extract for Vanilla Bean Paste
There is a 1:1 ratio between vanilla bean paste and vanilla extract, so one teaspoon of Trader Joe's Organic Vanilla Bean Paste is the equivalent of 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. If you are working with a recipe that calls for one whole vanilla bean pod, that is the equivalent of about one tablespoon of this paste.
Read the original article on All Recipes.
