Dairy-Free & Vegan Vanilla Baking

Butter and cream carry a lot of vanilla's aroma. When they're missing, a little more vanilla, and a vanilla with its own depth, makes the difference between a bake that tastes plant-based and one that just tastes good.

Which vanilla to use

• Madagascar Bourbon beans: rich, creamy and classic. They round out plant-based custards and cakes the way butter usually would.
• Tahitian vanilla: floral, with cherry and anise notes. Lovely with coconut milk, berries and citrus.
• Ugandan vanilla: bold and cocoa-forward. It holds its own next to dark chocolate and espresso.
• Whole-bean seeds and paste bring visible specks and body; extract mixes evenly into batters and doughs.

Recipes to start with

Coconut Snow Smoothie5 min · Easy Dairy-Free Berry Vanilla Cake55 min · Medium Dairy-Free Pistachio Vanilla Cheesecake10 hr 30 min · Medium Dairy-Free Citrus Vanilla Cookies27 min · Easy Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Vanilla Crème Brûlée3 hr 55 min · Medium Dairy-Free Bourbon Vanilla Ice Cream8 hr 35 min · Medium Vegan Brown Butter Vanilla Muffins52 min · Easy Dairy-Free Espresso Vanilla Panna Cotta4 hr 25 min · Easy Vegan Vanilla Pudding2 hr 25 min · Easy Dairy-Free Honey Lavender Vanilla Scones38 min · Easy Passion Fruit Lemonade5 min · Easy Pineapple Iced Tea8 min · Easy Blackberry Fruit Jellies2 hr 35 min · Advanced Chicory Coffee5 min · Easy Cinnamon Hard Candy1 hr 20 min · Advanced Vegan Chocolate Buttercream Frosting10 min · Easy Iced Americano5 min · Easy Vegan Vanilla Protein Shake5 min · Easy Traditional Matcha5 min · Easy Coconut Cream Dip10 min · Easy Chocolate Hazelnut Spread32 min · Medium Vegan Strawberry Banana Smoothie7 min · Easy Dairy-Free Salted Caramel Vanilla Cake55 min · Medium Dairy-Free Chai Vanilla Cheesecake10 hr 30 min · Medium

All dairy-free recipes · All vegan recipes

Tips

• Full-fat coconut milk carries vanilla best in custards and ice cream. With lighter plant milks, use a little more vanilla.
• Add extract after the pan comes off the heat, so less of the aroma cooks away.
• Don't throw out a scraped pod: dry it and bury it in a jar of sugar for vanilla sugar.
• Our recipe labels describe the recipe, not your ingredients. If you're baking for someone who has to avoid dairy or eggs, check every label.

Questions

Is vanilla extract vegan?

Vanilla extract is made from vanilla beans and alcohol, both from plants. Some brands add sugar or other ingredients, so check the label on the bottle you use.

Which vanilla should I use for a vegan custard or pudding?

Whole beans or paste. Steep a split bean in the warm plant milk, then scrape the seeds in; you get deeper flavor and the classic specks.

Can I swap vanilla paste for extract?

Yes, one for one. Paste adds specks and a little body, which helps in plant-based custards and frostings.

The vanilla we'd use

Madagascar Vanilla Beans, Grade A, 5 Beans Madagascar Vanilla Extract, 2 oz Bottle Tahitian Vanilla Beans, Grade B, 5 Beans Tahitian Vanilla Extract, 2 oz Bottle

Explore more

Recipe collections: Gluten-Free Vanilla Baking · Vanilla Custards, Puddings & Crème Brûlée · Vanilla Cookies & Bars · Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream · Vanilla Cakes & Cheesecakes · Holiday & Fall Vanilla Baking

Vanilla guides: Make Your Own Vanilla Extract · Find Your Vanilla Origin · Vanilla for Baking · Make Your Own Vanilla Extract · Oak-Aged Vanilla Extract

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