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What Is Vanilla Bean Powder?

If you're an avid home baker, it might be time to stock vanilla bean powder in your pantry. Also known as vanilla powder, ground vanilla is essentially whole vanilla beans that have been dried and processed into a powder. The ingredient might seem elusive at first, but with a bit of practice and creativity, it might be just what you need to add warmth and flavor to your baked goods and desserts.

When to Use Vanilla Bean Powder?

Since vanilla bean powder isn't carried in a medium that easily evaporates, it's ideal for high-heat recipes. "When you cook or bake with pure ground vanilla, you don't need to worry about losing flavor [through heat and evaporation].For example, if you were to heat it in a dairy (or dairy alternative) ingredient for something like an ice cream base, pudding, or custard, the heat will infuse the dairy with vanilla's flavor compounds rather than making them evaporate. Or if you add vanilla bean powder to a cake batter or cookie dough, "its flavor is incorporated throughout in the same way any other ground spice would be

Vanilla bean powder is also excellent if you want to visually emphasize the ingredient in a recipe. Typically, this approach will manifest in the form of toppings or coatings, such as doughnuts tossed with a sugar and vanilla powder mixture,  Similarly, if you're making vanilla bean marshmallows or vanilla ice cream, adding ground vanilla will visually highlight the flavor and effort of the recipe, she explains. In turn, those enjoying the treat will be able to "taste with their eyes" and anticipate how wonderful the flavor will be.

Vanilla powder can also be added to a spice mix to help round out other flavors, adds Palmer. "It can play a lovely background role of balancing sharper notes like ginger and cardamom,". Finally, if you simply want to elevate the vanilla notes of your creations, the ingredient might be just what you need. Try combining the powder and extract to amplify the warmth of vanilla in your favorite recipes.






How to Use Vanilla Bean Powder in Recipes

Naturally, sweets like frosting and cookies are prime candidates for ground vanilla. Again, you can use it with vanilla extract or as a substitute, depending on the flavor profile you'd like to achieve. To use it as a vanilla extract substitute, use about half by volume to start, suggests Palmer. If possible, do a test batch so you can determine the best ratio for your specific recipe. Don't limit yourself to desserts, though—the ingredient is wonderfully versatile. "Because it's dry and doesn't contain alcohol or sweetener,  . For example, you can use it as a topping for simple preparations like oatmeal or yogurt. Another option is to mix it into jams, smoothies, chia pudding, granola, or applesauce,.

You might be surprised to learn that vanilla bean powder has a place in savory dishes, too. I usually enjoys using it for recipes that call for other warm spices like cinnamon, coriander, cardamom, cumin, or mustard. The ingredient pairs particularly well with sweet potatoes and pumpkins, he adds, "and a little bit can create depth in stews and sauces." Additionally, if you eat meat, you can add ground vanilla to your favorite dry rub. One idea is to rub salt, black pepper, cinnamon, cayenne, and a bit of pure ground vanilla onto pork chops the night before you're planning to prepare them.