Vanilla Tips and Tricks

Baking Tip of the Day

Vanilla can be used for purposes other than baking and cooking. The lovely scent can even be used to sell a home. Here are some tips when using vanilla.

Vanilla can be used as an extract or the original vanilla bean pod.

Vanilla sugar can be made by putting a scraped vanilla bean pod into a canister of sugar.

To retain the most flavor, vanilla should be added to cooked items, such as pudding, after the boiling is done.

Many home bakers double the amount of vanilla called for in a recipe to obtain the taste of professionally made desserts. This is acceptable but is not comparable to double-strength vanilla used by professional bakers.

To sweeten coffee without sugar or sugar substitutes, add one-fourth teaspoon of vanilla extract to coffee. Start with a drop or 2 and adjust. Too much vanilla will create a bitter taste.

Besides preparing foods, vanilla can make a house smell wonderful. Place a half-teaspoon of vanilla into a small baking ramekin and heat in a 300 degree F. oven for an hour. This is especially helpful for those wanting to sell their home. It can also be done before a party or other get-together.

For more information on using vanilla read:

Vanilla Extract to Remove Odor
What Can Vanilla Be Used For
Vanilla Hints and Tips
Will Vanilla Extract Kill Yeast
How to Freshen the Refrigerator
Tips to Freshen a Microwave Oven
Using Vanilla as an Air Freshener
Vanilla Extract to Flavor Coffee
Vanilla for Weight Loss
Vanilla Eases Sugar Cravings