Vanilla Cookies & Bars

In a cookie, vanilla is what makes butter and sugar taste like more than butter and sugar. Pick one you'd happily taste on its own.

Which vanilla to use

• Extract is the workhorse for cookie dough: it mixes evenly and holds up through a short bake.
• Madagascar Bourbon: classic sugar cookies and chocolate chip.
• Ugandan vanilla: bold and cocoa-forward, great with chocolate, espresso and brown butter.
• Tahitian vanilla: floral and fruity, for shortbread, citrus and berry cookies. Vanilla powder works well in shortbread too.

Recipes to start with

Vanilla Cardamom Cinnamon Cookies35 min · Easy Gluten-Free Coconut Vanilla Cookies27 min · Easy Dairy-Free Citrus Vanilla Cookies27 min · Easy Vegan Brown Butter Vanilla Cookies42 min · Easy Vanilla Cinnamon Cookies35 min · Easy Gluten-Free Honey Lavender Vanilla Cookies27 min · Easy Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Vanilla Cookies27 min · Easy Vanilla Ginger Cookies35 min · Easy Gluten-Free Chai Vanilla Cookies27 min · Easy Dairy-Free Berry Vanilla Cookies27 min · Easy Vanilla Orange Cardamom Cookies35 min · Easy Gluten-Free Maple Vanilla Cookies27 min · Easy Vegan Salted Caramel Vanilla Cookies32 min · Easy Vanilla Lemon Cookies35 min · Easy Dairy-Free Vanilla Cookies27 min · Easy Vegan Lavender Vanilla Cookies32 min · Easy Vegan Almond Vanilla Cookies32 min · Easy Gluten-Free Espresso Vanilla Cookies27 min · Easy Vegan Pistachio Vanilla Cookies32 min · Easy Vanilla Brown Sugar Cookies35 min · Easy Gluten-Free Citrus Vanilla Cookies27 min · Easy Honey Lavender Vanilla Cookies27 min · Easy Gluten-Free Brown Butter Vanilla Cookies37 min · Easy Salted Caramel Vanilla Cookies27 min · Easy

All cookie recipes

Tips

• Add vanilla when you cream the butter and sugar, so it spreads through the dough.
• Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes; the flavor deepens and cookies spread less.
• For bake sales, bars travel better than cookies and cut cleanly once fully cool.

Questions

Can I use vanilla powder instead of extract in cookies?

Yes. Powder adds no liquid and holds up to heat, which suits shortbread and crisp cookies.

Why do my cookies taste flat?

Usually too little salt or vanilla, or they baked a minute too long. A pinch more salt and a good vanilla fix most flat cookies.

Should I use beans in cookies?

You can; the seeds give specks. For most cookie doughs, extract or powder is simpler and just as flavorful.

The vanilla we'd use

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

Explore more

Recipe collections: Dairy-Free & Vegan Vanilla Baking · Gluten-Free Vanilla Baking · Vanilla Custards, Puddings & Crème Brûlée · 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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