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25 Recipes That Prove Vanilla Bean Is Worth The Splurge

Some recipes just yearn for the subtle flavors that only a vanilla bean can offer.
By 

Taste Senior Editor, HuffPost

There's a pretty steep price difference between vanilla extract (especially if you make your own) and a whole vanilla bean -- pod and all. An ounce of extract costs roughly 80 cents where a bean is closer to to three dollars. In many cases where vanilla is called for, opting for the less expensive of the two is a wise choice. Vanilla beans would be almost wasted on chocolate chip cookies. And pancakes don't really deserve them. But in a batch of homemade ice cream real vanilla beans can make a world of difference.

Some recipes just yearn for the subtle flavors that only a vanilla bean can offer -- and the pretty black specks that let people know this is something extra special. Those are the recipes we've gathered here for you below. From homemade donut glazes to panna cottas to French madeleines, here are 25 times vanilla bean was worth the splurge.

1
Vanilla Cake With Vanilla Bean Browned Butter Glaze
Averie Cooks
Get the Vanilla Cake with Vanilla Bean Browned Butter Glaze recipe from Averie Cooks
2
Vanilla Bean Blueberry Lemon And Cream Cheese Swirl Sticky Buns
Half Baked Harvest
Get the Vanilla Bean Blueberry Lemon and Cream Cheese Swirl Sticky Buns recipe from Half Baked Harvest
3
Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream
Half Baked Harvest
Get the Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream recipe from Half Baked Harvest
4
Bacon Almond Vanilla Bean Brittle
How Sweet It Is
Get the Bacon Almond Vanilla Bean Brittle recipe from How Sweet It Is
5
Coconut-Vanilla Bean Cake With Coconut Meringue Buttercream Frosting
Brown Eyed Baker
Get the Coconut-Vanilla Bean Cake with Coconut Meringue Buttercream Frosting recipe from Brown Eyed Baker
6
Vanilla Bean Baked Donuts
The Faux Martha
Get the Vanilla Bean Baked Donuts recipe from The Faux Martha
7
Mini Vanilla Bean Cupcakes With Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Damn Delicious
Get the Mini Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting recipe from Damn Delicious
8
Vanilla Bean Olive Oil Ice Cream
Completely Delicious
Get the Vanilla Bean Olive Oil Ice Cream recipe from Completely Delicious
9
Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee Cheesecake Bars
Handle The Heat
Get the Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee Cheesecake Bars recipe from Handle The Heat
10
Vanilla Bean Coconut Quinoa Pudding
Half Baked Harvest
Get the Vanilla Bean Coconut Quinoa Pudding recipe from Half Baked Harvest
11
Vanilla Bean Coffee Syrup
How Sweet It Is
Get the Vanilla Bean Coffee Syrup recipe from How Sweet It Is
12
Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Blueberry Pie
Damn Delicious
Get the Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Blueberry Pie recipe from Damn Delicious
13
Vanilla Bean And Brown Sugar Caramelized Banana Jam
Averie Cooks
Get the Vanilla Bean and Brown Sugar Caramelized Banana Jam recipe from Averie Cooks
14
Pear Vanilla Bean Cupcakes
Annie's Eats
Get the Pear Vanilla Bean Cupcakes recipe from Annie's Eats
15
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Mountain Mama Cooks
Get the Vanilla Bean Ice Cream recipe from Mountain Mama Cooks
16
Rhubarb Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta Tart
Hummingbird High
Get the Rhubarb Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta Tart recipe from Hummingbird High
17
Roasted Strawberry Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt
Completely Delicious
Get the Roasted Strawberry Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt recipe from Completely Delicious
18
Vanilla Bean Madeleines
Completely Delicious
Get the Vanilla Bean Madeleines recipe from Completely Delicious
19
Pear Vanilla Bean Jam
Mountain Mama Cooks
Get the Pear Vanilla Bean Jam recipe from Mountain Mama Cooks
20
Vanilla Bean Cream Pie
A Southern Grace
Get the Vanilla Bean Cream Pie recipe from A Southern Grace
21
Healthy Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting
Desserts With Benefits
Get the Healthy Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting recipe from Desserts With Benefits
22
Maple Glazed Vanilla Bean Donuts
Sugary and Buttery
Get the Maple Glazed Vanilla Bean Donuts recipe from Sugary and Buttery
23
Brown Butter Vanilla Bean Rice Krispie Treats
Mountain Mama Cooks
Get the Brown Butter Vanilla Bean Rice Krispie Treats recipe from Mountain Mama Cooks
24
Vanilla Bean Shortbread Tea Cookies
The View From The Great Island
Get the Vanilla Bean Shortbread Tea Cookies recipe from The View From The Great Island
25
Vanilla Bean Scones
Mountain Mama Cooks
Get the Vanilla Bean Scones recipe from Mountain Mama Cooks

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