Recipes That All Vanilla Lovers Need To Try

Vanilla. It's a word that's often used to describe things that are boring, bland, or just plain. But those who use the word that way have clearly never tried a top-notch vanilla dessert. Vanilla adds an incredible flavor to a variety of dishes, and it can be incorporated into so many different desserts, drinks, and confections. Just because a dish includes vanilla, that doesn't mean it's boring or not worth your time to make — especially when you consider the list of the best Mashed vanilla recipes.

Our recipe developers have gone all out when it comes to their vanilla creations, and the end results are downright impressive. Don't be intimidated, though. You can make all these vanilla dishes in the comfort of your own home. Just get some high-quality vanilla extract (or even make some from vanilla pods if you feel like being fancy), and whip up these vanilla recipes. You may just be surprised at how good this common flavoring can be.

Don't have real vanilla in your home? Vanilla can be expensive, so that's totally understandable. For some of these recipes, you may be able to use artificial vanilla flavoring. Just experiment around and see what works best for you.

Sometimes, you don't need to do something too different or out of the ordinary to please all the guests around your table. More often than not, people just want to dig into something that tastes delicious and familiar. That's just what they'll get when you serve them this classic vanilla cake recipe. Yes, it may be simple, but that doesn't mean it's not going to make one of the tastiest cakes you've ever tried. If you're in the mood to do some baking this weekend, give it a try -– you may just be surprised at how amazing it turns out. Plus, it will certainly look pretty in the middle of your table.

If you live in an area where it snows, you may have thought about eating freshly fallen snow before. Or maybe you've done it only to realize that it's not very flavorful. Well, if you're ready to give it a try and actually enjoy it this time, try our recipe for snow ice cream. Yes, you can actually make ice cream from snow, and it's probably a lot easier than you're expecting. The vanilla is a key ingredient here, as it transforms plain old boring snow into something really special. Give it a try with your kiddos for some snow day fun.

Sticking with the theme of painfully easy desserts you can throw together in no time at all, you should also check out our 3-ingredient vanilla cake recipe. Before you get started, pick up some white cake box mix, a few eggs, and some vanilla ice cream. Combine that all together, and you've got the cake you've been dreaming of. Perhaps the best part is that your cake will be ready in under an hour, and most of that time, it's just hanging out in the oven. Who doesn't love a simple dessert?

Taking a trip to Costco is always fun. You never know what good deals you're going to find. But if you have a sweet tooth, then you know where to start looking for treats: the bakery. The cakes at Costco are out of this world. Wondering how you can make the same kind of cake at home? Well, you just have to give our copycat Costco sheet cake a try. This vanilla cake tastes just like the real thing, and it's not too difficult to make. The next time you have a birthday in the family to plan, you know this is what you should make.

When was the last time you made your way through the Starbucks drive-thru? If it's a place you visit often, you may be interested in how you can make the same kinds of sweet treats in the comfort of your own home. You may be surprised to find out that this 3-ingredient copycat Starbucks Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino seriously tastes like the real thing. And since it's so easy to make, why wouldn't you try it out before spending your hard-earned money on an expensive drink? Give it a try with the ingredients you currently have in your kitchen.

You know those times when you're dying for a good dessert but don't seem to have anything in the house to make it? If you're like us, you know that's the worst feeling ever. That's why we came up with this recipe for 2-ingredient no-churn ice cream. Technically, all you really need is some sweetened condensed milk and a few cups of heavy cream, but adding the optional vanilla extract really takes the flavor to the next level. This ice cream recipe is incredibly easy to make, and you'll have a delectable dessert ready in no time at all. What's sweeter than that?