Vanilla Cakes & Cheesecakes

A cake uses vanilla in more than one place: the batter, the filling and the frosting. Using the right form in each is an easy upgrade.

Which vanilla to use

• Extract in the batter: it mixes evenly and holds up in the oven.
• Beans or paste in cheesecake filling and buttercream, where the specks show.
• Madagascar Bourbon for classic vanilla cake; Tahitian with berries and lemon; Ugandan with chocolate.

Recipes to start with

Vanilla Peach Maple Cake1 hr 40 min · Medium Dairy-Free Pistachio Vanilla Cheesecake10 hr 30 min · Medium Gluten-Free Brown Butter Vanilla Cake1 hr 5 min · Medium Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Vanilla Cheesecake10 hr 30 min · Medium Vanilla Orange Cinnamon Cake1 hr 40 min · Medium Gluten-Free Bourbon Vanilla Cheesecake10 hr 30 min · Medium Vegan Coconut Vanilla Cake1 hr · Medium Espresso Vanilla Cheesecake10 hr 30 min · Medium Gluten-Free Chai Vanilla Cake55 min · Medium Dairy-Free Citrus Vanilla Cheesecake10 hr 30 min · Medium Vanilla Banana Butter Cake1 hr 40 min · Medium Vegan Almond Vanilla Cheesecake10 hr 35 min · Medium Vanilla Lemon Lavender Cake1 hr 40 min · Medium Gluten-Free Cardamom Vanilla Cheesecake10 hr 30 min · Medium Vanilla Matcha Maple Cake1 hr 40 min · Medium Vegan Maple Vanilla Cheesecake10 hr 35 min · Medium Dairy-Free Berry Vanilla Cake55 min · Medium Gluten-Free Honey Lavender Vanilla Cheesecake10 hr 30 min · Medium Vanilla Lavender Cardamom Cake1 hr 40 min · Medium Salted Caramel Vanilla Cheesecake10 hr 30 min · Medium Vanilla Mango Layer Cake1 hr 40 min · Medium Vanilla Cheesecake10 hr 30 min · Medium Vanilla Cinnamon Roll Cardamom Cake1 hr 40 min · Medium Gluten-Free Coconut Vanilla Cheesecake10 hr 30 min · Medium

All cake recipes · All cheesecakes

Tips

• Bring butter, eggs and cream cheese to room temperature for a smooth batter and filling.
• Cool cheesecake slowly, in the turned-off oven with the door ajar, to help prevent cracks.
• Most cheesecakes are better made a day ahead; the flavor settles overnight.

Questions

Why did my cheesecake crack?

Usually overbaking or cooling too fast. Pull it while the center still wobbles and let it cool slowly.

Extract or beans in cake batter?

Extract for the batter; save beans or paste for the filling and frosting, where you can see them.

Can I make these ahead?

Cheesecakes keep well for several days in the fridge; unfrosted cake layers freeze well, wrapped tightly.

The vanilla we'd use

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

Explore more

Recipe collections: Dairy-Free & Vegan Vanilla Baking · Gluten-Free Vanilla Baking · Vanilla Custards, Puddings & Crème Brûlée · Vanilla Cookies & Bars · Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream · 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

Looking for something else? Search all our recipes.