Vanilla recipes

Vanilla is the fruit of an orchid plant (and no, it’s not one of your five a day). It’s extremely pernickety to grow, which adds to its expense whether you buy it as pods, extract or essence. Happily, a little goes a long way.

It’s also incredibly hard to describe the flavour, without saying it’s vanilla-y or chocolate-y! Either way, make the most of it in these creamy, scent-laden recipes, which include drinks, pannacottas and cakes.

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Manon Lagrève’s mini canelés

Patisserie

Manon Lagrève’s mini canelés

Manon Lagrève shares a family recipe for mini canelés. The wonderful batter is flavoured with vanilla and rum, and caramelises during baking.

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Vanilla buttercream

Bank holiday recipes

Vanilla buttercream

Classic vanilla buttercream is a baking staple. Use it as your base and adapt to suit your needs – a little cocoa powder for chocolate icing or almond extract in place of vanilla.

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Vanilla slice

Patisserie

Vanilla slice

The hero of many a high street bakery, the vanilla slice is a glorious thing. Like a cross between a custard tart and a mille feuille, it takes you through a whole range of textures and embraces the retro aesthetic better than any other bake.

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Coffee, hazelnut and vanilla tequila

Coffee

Coffee, hazelnut and vanilla tequila

Coffee beans gently infuse into tequila over time, while hazelnuts, vanilla and sugar round out the flavour. Delicious over ice in the sun.

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Vanilla freezer cookie dough

Make-ahead desserts

Vanilla freezer cookie dough

Vanilla freezer cookie dough is perfect when you need something sweet in under 15 minutes. Keep it in the freezer until ready to bake.

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Plum and vanilla jam

September seasonal

Plum and vanilla jam

This speedy plum preserve with hints of vanilla and cinnamon uses a clever time-saving trick. Delicious plum jam in a hurry? Yes please.

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Lemon verbena and vanilla cordial

Non-alcoholic drinks

Lemon verbena and vanilla cordial

This homemade cordial for grown-ups uses herbs, lemon verbena and edible flowers to create a sophisticated cooler for spring and summer days.

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Proper homemade custard

Best of British

Proper homemade custard

This easy recipe for proper homemade custard is the perfect finishing touch: pour it over apple pie, steamed pudding, or whatever you fancy.

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Vanilla and chocolate shortbread pinwheels

Biscuits

Vanilla and chocolate shortbread pinwheels

These gorgeous vanilla and chocolate shortbread pinwheels have that extra bit of wow-factor and aren't as tricky to make as you think. 

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Vanilla fudge

Christmas baking

Vanilla fudge

Give our easy vanilla fudge recipe a go! It takes less than an hour to make 20 squares – perfect for a homemade Christmas gift.  

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Vanilla tart with poached apricots

Apricots

Vanilla tart with poached apricots

The filling for this vanilla tart recipe is made with cream, eggs and fresh vanilla. It's super rich which makes the tangy poached apricots a perfect match.

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Strawberry and vanilla baked cheesecake

Strawberries

Strawberry and vanilla baked cheesecake

Strawberries are the hero in this beautiful baked strawberry cheesecake recipe – it'd be perfect for a summer dinner party dessert, or even afternoon tea

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Granny Brett’s warm vanilla rice pudding with golden syrup

Retro puddings

Granny Brett’s warm vanilla rice pudding with golden syrup

This creamy vanilla rice pudding is inspired by the version chef Roy Brett's granny used to make when he was young. A comfort food classic.

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Katrya’s baba with vanilla and lovage syrup

Vanilla

Katrya’s baba with vanilla and lovage syrup

Typically made with rum, this baba uses a vanilla and lovage infused vodka syrup for an extra punch of flavour. Serve warm for extra gooiness

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Îles flottantes with marsala and roasted rhubarb

Rhubarb

Îles flottantes with marsala and roasted rhubarb

This traditional French recipe consists of smooth vanilla custard topped with fluffy 'floating islands' of meringue, baked rhubarb and amaretti biscuits.

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Pecan and cinnamon streusel coffee cake

Coffee

Pecan and cinnamon streusel coffee cake

Debbie Major's version is a butter-rich vanilla cake with cinnamon and pecan streusel running through the centre and scattered on top.

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