vanilla

Vanilla Cranberry Coffeecake Perfect For Christmas Morning
Breakfast

Come Party With Me: Christmas Brunch — Dessert

A special Christmas brunch should end with a stunning dessert.
by partysugar

A special Christmas brunch should end with a stunning dessert. Instead of serving something that requires last-minute attention, plate slices of a cranberry vanilla coffeecake that can be made on Christmas Eve.

It will fill the house with an enticing aroma and get your family excited for the breakfast. Although vanilla beans are expensive, it's a necessary splurge for this flavorful and moist cake.

A layer of zesty cranberry filling is the pleasant surprise that makes this cake festive and celebratory. To get the recipe, read more

Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe
recipes

The Basics: Vanilla Ice Cream

There's nothing like fresh-churned homemade ice cream.
by partysugar

There's nothing like fresh-churned homemade ice cream. It's cool, but melts in your mouth, creamy and smooth, and when compared to a grocery store variety, has a richer, cleaner, more pure taste. To make ice cream you need an ice cream maker and a little skill, but most of all, it requires patience. Many recipes are egg-based, and one of the steps involves tempering a ribbon-like egg yolk and sugar mixture with warm milk. If you aren't patient, the eggs will scramble. Patience also comes in handy while you're waiting for the ice cream to freeze! When mastering the basic procedure, start with vanilla ice cream. It's a flavor that can be enjoyed in every season, is loved by all, and pairs with a variety of desserts. Once you know how to make vanilla, it's easy to experiment with more complex flavors — you can stir in strawberry puree, or chunks of chocolate, or small pieces of Oreo cookies. To learn how it's done, keep reading.

4th of July Cupcakes
Come Party With Me

Come Party With Me: Independence Day — Dessert

While one could easily serve red, white, and blue parfaits at a 4th of July party, I prefer to give guests a more all-American dessert — in the form of a crowd-pleasing cupcake.
by partysugar

While one could easily serve red, white, and blue parfaits at a 4th of July party, I prefer to give guests a more all-American dessert — in the form of a crowd-pleasing cupcake. When I saw these adorably patriotic cupcakes in the current issue of Martha Stewart Living, I knew they would be on the menu at my Independence Day celebration.

The vanilla cake batter is dotted with fresh blueberries before being baked. Each individual cake is iced with fluffy seven-minute frosting and topped with a single plump raspberry. These pretty cakes are a light sweet treat, ideal for Summer entertaining. If you're interested in reading the recipe, do so after the break

Come Party With Me: Father's Day — Dessert
Come Party With Me

Come Party With Me: Father's Day — Dessert

While planning a Father's Day menu, the most important thing to do is ask dad what he wants.
by partysugar

While planning a Father's Day menu, the most important thing to do is ask dad what he wants. The day will be more special if you involve him in the process. Since my dad is a fan of no-fuss classic cuisine, I originally thought to serve him homemade vanilla ice cream with chocolate fudge sauce for dessert.

Then I came across this recipe for vanilla chocolate popsicles and knew I had to make them! When I was little, my dad and I would often share Klondike bars, so making this variation will recreate the memories. While it's simple, the recipe requires time: get started on Friday at the latest. To look at the technique, read more

Taste Test: Sprinkles Vanilla Cupcake Mix
taste test

Taste Test: Sprinkles Vanilla Cupcake Mix

Last week I got my hands on a container of Sprinkles vanilla cupcake mix ($14).
by partysugar

Last week I got my hands on a container of Sprinkles vanilla cupcake mix ($14). The LA-based bakery boosts a celebrity following and is famous for its rich cupcakes topped with swirled frosting and signature modern dot. Currently, there are six bakeries sprinkled throughout the Western United States, but thanks to Williams-Sonoma, you can experience the sweetness of Sprinkles in the comfort of your kitchen. The mix comes in seven flavors: chocolate, red velvet, vanilla, lemon, pumpkin, chocolate peppermint, and banana. To find out what I thought of the vanilla variation, read more

Do You Cook With Vanilla Beans?
Poll

Do You Cook With Vanilla Beans?

At the Food Fête party this week after the Fancy Foods Show, a representative from Nielsen-Massey Vanillas handed me a kit sealed with a vanilla bean.
by

At the Food Fête party this week after the Fancy Foods Show, a representative from Nielsen-Massey Vanillas handed me a kit sealed with a vanilla bean. She suggested that if I didn't want to cook with it, I could take advantage of its pleasant fragrance.

"Oh, don't worry — I'll cook with it," I reassured her. Although they're rather expensive — pods cost around $5 each — cooking with vanilla pods, in my opinion, imparts a more natural flavor than using vanilla extract. I like to use them in everything from cakes to vanilla-flavored hot chocolate. What about you?

Come Party With Me: Boy's Birthday — Drinks
Come Party With Me

Come Party With Me: Boy's Birthday — Drinks

Both kids and moms love lemonade.
by partysugar

Both kids and moms love lemonade. It's sweet tart taste is pleasing to a child's palette and it's pale yellow color won't stain, making mom happy. For a boy's birthday party on Alcatraz pack two coolers. Take one with you and leave one in the car. Fill the first with fresh lemonade and waters. Pack the second with small cans of soda and waters.

When you return to the car, surprise the boys by offering them a soda! To check out this delicious honey-vanilla lemonade recipe, read more

Happy Hour: Vanilla Rum Colas
recipes

Happy Hour: Vanilla Rum Colas

I've been carrying around a ripped-out page of Martha Stewart Living — with a recipe for vanilla rum colas — since the September issue of the magazine came out.
by partysugar

I've been carrying around a ripped-out page of Martha Stewart Living — with a recipe for vanilla rum colas — since the September issue of the magazine came out. I finally got to mixing the drinks this weekend because they were the perfect cocktail to pair with Oscars!

The recipe is a simple classic — basically it's a rum and coke — with a twist. Vanilla extract and orange wedges pump up the flavor, making for a delightful and refreshing cocktail. Want the recipe? Just, read more

Valentine's Day Beauty, Part III: Alluring Fragrances
Perfume

Valentine's Day Beauty, Part III: Alluring Fragrances

Welcome to my third installation of Valentine's Day beauty products.
by

Welcome to my third installation of Valentine's Day beauty products. Not only is it important to have the perfect pout and sultry bedroom eyes on February 14th, but it's also important to smell good. According to research, men associate the smell of vanilla and cinnamon with love. These scents actually rev up his pheromones, which increases his level of attraction to you. So, if you're looking to pull out all the stops to get your guy, here are three romantic fragrances to help do the trick.

L de Lolita Lempicka ($65) is the second fragrance from the designer. I've smelled a sample of this and it's got a musky, foody sensation that I find quite warm and inviting. Plus, the bottle is a stunning deep sea green adorned with a gold net. The fragrance is made from a blend of orange, cinnamon, vanilla, woods, musk and everlasting flower. Sounds like this is a home run scent for Valentine's Day!

For two Valentine's Day fragrances, read more

Reader Recipe: Homemade Vanilla Extract
recipes

Reader Recipe: Homemade Vanilla Extract

Great vanilla extract is made from fresh vanilla beans and can be rather expensive.
by

Great vanilla extract is made from fresh vanilla beans and can be rather expensive. Sometimes the quality isn't what you expect, and sometimes the flavor is too weak, or too strong. However lucky for us, TeamSugar member Twinkle has shared her recipe for homemade vanilla extract. By making your own extract, you can control all the variables and make it just to your liking. And, the best part? It's super easy, all you need is vanilla beans, vodka and a little time.

To check out her recipe and technique, read more