Recipes Ingredients Extracts and Flavoring Recipes Vanilla Extract Recipes Our 25 Best Vanilla Recipes That Are Anything But Boring Vanilla lovers, you've come to the right place. By Corey Williams Corey Williams Corey Williams is a food writer for MyRecipes and Allrecipes. She has a decade of journalism experience. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Published on September 26, 2024 Close Photo: Dotdash Meredith Food Studios Let's face it: Vanilla isn't considered the most exciting flavor in the universe. But we don't think that's fair! Vanilla, when used correctly, is actually quite complex and (dare we say?) sophisticated. That's why we rounded up 25 of our favorite recipes that highlight vanilla, from unique side dishes to crowd-pleasing desserts. 01 of 26 The Best Vanilla Bean Cheesecake ALLRECIPES / ANA CADENA "Enjoy the best vanilla bean cheesecake that tastes very close to The Cheesecake Factory's version. It is incredibly delicious! —littlebit86 View Recipe 02 of 26 Easy Vanilla Cake Dotdash Meredith Food Studios "This vanilla cake recipe is great for all occasions and easy to make. It's the best cake I have ever made. It's not too bland, and it's not too sweet. Slice the cooled cake through the middle to make two layers and frost as desired." —Sapphire Bang View Recipe 03 of 26 Vanilla Milkshake Dotdash Meredith Food Studios "A vanilla milkshake recipe that's very easy to make. Add chocolate, berries, peaches, or whatever you like. My kids like to add root beer instead of milk." —DPULLIAM View Recipe 04 of 26 Strawberry Vanilla Pancakes lutzflcat "These strawberry pancakes are light, fluffy, and packed with flavor. The vanilla makes this breakfast seem like dessert! Serve with butter and real maple syrup." —Kristi View Recipe 05 of 26 Vanilla Frozen Yogurt Dotdash Meredith Food Studios "This frozen yogurt recipe is so much easier than homemade ice cream. Just so you know, this freezes a lot quicker than ice cream. Also, if you want tart frozen yogurt, feel free to decrease the sugar." —TeenChef14 View Recipe 06 of 26 Rum Raisin Bread Pudding with Warm Vanilla Sauce lutzflcat "This easy bread pudding and vanilla sauce recipe combines my favorite things in the world: bread pudding, apples, raisins, vanilla, and rum! The sauce thickens atop the bread pudding, providing an attractive and delicious glaze. We never have leftovers!" —CHICAGOCOOKS22 View Recipe 07 of 26 Michelle Lopez's Pumpkin Pie with Vanilla Meringue Allrecipes / Bahareh Niati "Michelle Lopez uses 'next-level whipped cream' to make her pumpkin pie a showstopper." —Michelle Lopez View Recipe 08 of 26 Vanilla Cupcakes Dotdash Meredith Food Studios "This easy vanilla cupcake recipe is made with simple ingredients. They are very tasty!" —Hanatarou View Recipe 09 of 26 Vanilla Glazed Carrots lutzflcat "I had this at a restaurant, and, as always, I try and duplicate the dishes that I like. This is my version of these steamed baby carrots that are lightly coated in a sweet vanilla glaze." —V Rene Lord View Recipe 10 of 26 Vanilla Wafer Cookies Deb C "This recipe comes from my favorite cookbook from a church. It is simple, easy, inexpensive and delicious! Not to mention it tastes better than the vanilla wafers you can buy at the store!" —usmcwifey View Recipe 11 of 26 Vanilla Rich Chocolate Chip Cookies Trusted Brands "Love this recipe. Haven't baked since I was a kid. This was a major hit with my kids and friends." —arichard View Recipe 12 of 26 Vanilla Chantilly Cream Dotdash Meredith Food Studios "Chantilly cream is a sweeter version of whipped cream. It is smooth and satiny. My family loves it on pancakes, chocolate mousse, and just about anything that needs a sweet touch. Enjoy, from my family to yours!" —MonicaA View Recipe 13 of 26 Vanilla and Chocolate Delight Paula "A layer of pecans, topped with cream cheese and whipped topping, is topped with vanilla-chocolate pudding to make this chocolate delight dessert!" —Brenda Moore View Recipe 14 of 26 Homemade Vanilla Pudding dotdash meredith food studios "I love pudding and this homemade pudding with vanilla is a rich and delectable dessert. There is no substitute for the butter!" —Rosemary View Recipe 15 of 26 Vanilla Crepes julieknag "When I was a little girl, my mother would always make us crepes on Sundays. I also loved the smell of vanilla when my mother would make her cookies. So, I would always ask her to make her cookies, and when she refused, I would take out the vanilla and sit it next to me with the cap open, so that I could breathe the aroma. My mother get a kick out of this, and said, well, if it's that important, we'll add a little vanilla kick, just for you. After the first time she put the vanilla in, there was never a last...it became a tradition." —lelainem10 View Recipe 16 of 26 Hot Vanilla "This hot vanilla milk drink is a nice alternative to hot chocolate. Substitute the 2% milk and sugar for skim milk and a no-calorie sweetener if you prefer." —Penguinchef View Recipe 17 of 26 Frozen Vanilla Custard "This frozen custard recipe makes a rich and creamy, French-style ice cream made with eggs, heavy cream, milk, and vanilla. Although traditionally served soft in cones, I prefer to freeze it until firm, then scoop it." —Chef John View Recipe 18 of 26 Vanilla Bean Pastry Cream Chef John "My first time making pastry cream and it turned out perfectly!" —NJCLARK124 View Recipe 19 of 26 Homemade Vanilla Extract "Homemade vanilla extract! What could be better and cheaper! I use Madagascar vanilla beans." —RE_BEKAH View Recipe 20 of 26 Vanilla Brownies Jamie Justice Yost "I like to include the chocolate chips because I love chocolate, but they can be omitted. I have made them without the chips and they still came out great!" —Stephanie View Recipe 21 of 26 Rainbow Vanilla Cheesecake Cookie Bars Kayla Marie Kurpius "Vanilla cheesecake cookie bars with a swirl of rainbow colors is a perfect dessert to serve for any party or event. It is easy to customize it to any theme. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator." —Kayla Marie Kurpius View Recipe 22 of 26 Vanilla Glaze Dianne "Easy peasy and tastes great!" —bossysaucy View Recipe 23 of 26 Homemade Vanilla Cake "Very moist and dense homemade vanilla cake." —Ann McGavin Stout View Recipe 24 of 26 Vanilla Pear Muffins WaldoP696 "This vanilla and pear muffin recipe results in tender, light, and deliciously moist muffins. Vanilla and pear are a flavor-match made in heaven, and with the added goodness of whole wheat flour, these sweet vanilla pear muffins are great for breakfast or a snack." —Alberta Rose View Recipe 25 of 26 Vanilla Spice Bread Alberta Rose "I used this to make french toast and it was amazing. The bread had wonderful texture and a subtle flavor that we really enjoyed." —mkstevens09 View Recipe 26 of 26 More Inspiration Allrecipes 18 Fun Ways to Use a Tub of Store-Bought Vanilla Ice Cream 20 Dessert Recipes That Always Work 45 Classic American Desserts for the History Books Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit