Given, I’m a little more passionate about the spice than most (if it wasn’t apparent enough). Heck, I named my blog after the stuff.
Vanilla Bean Cupcakes are Every Vanilla Lover’s Dream!
I have no less than nine varieties of vanilla beans in my pantry! Not to mention six kinds of vanilla extract — three of them homemade. Vanilla oil, vanilla sugar, chopped up vanilla beans. I even keep a dried bean in the filter of my vacuum so the place smells like vanilla when I clean.
Different Types of Vanilla
Even when we discuss the flavor of vanilla, there’s nothing plain about it. Mexican vanilla has a velvety, sweet, and creamy scent that begs to be made into puddings. Tahitian vanilla has a heady aroma of figs, that reminds me of summers eating the sticky fruits stuffed with cheese and honey. The dark and rummy smell of Madagascar vanilla hints at a slight, musky nose of tobacco. My favorite, the Tonga vanilla bean which, after deep inhale, will bombard you with images of black cherries.
The Best Vanilla Cupcakes Are Made With Real Vanilla
Any of these beans are perfect in this delightful vanilla cupcake recipe, a recipe that I’m very proud of. It’s a fantastic way to show off vanilla, a spice that does love center stage. I like to think of vanilla as my humble, endearing, sweet-smelling obsession. Personally, I feel this particular vanilla cupcake recipe will seduce you to the way of vanilla as well. If you don’t have a vanilla bean you can get away with just the vanilla extract, but this vanilla cupcake recipe is infinitely better with the beans.
Ways to Use the Leftover Vanilla Bean Pod
While they can be expensive (buy online), keep in mind that even after you scrape the seeds out of the pod, you can use the pod many times over. Steeping the pod into cream for ice cream or storing it in a jar of sugar for vanilla sugar are just some suggestions. No matter which way you choose, these homemade vanilla cupcakes will be delicious.
Other Frosting Recipes for Vanilla Cupcakes
This recipe includes a recipe for (you guessed it) vanilla-infused frosting! If you’re looking for something a little different, though, try a cream cheese frosting or even this extra-rich chocolate frosting! If you really want this recipe to shine, though, use vanilla beans. If you only have one vanilla bean, prioritize adding half of it to the frosting, where the taste will come through more than a vanilla bean added to the cake batter.
Buying Whole Vanilla Beans
When you purchase vanilla bean for culinary purchases, what you’re getting is a cured and dried seedpod from a vanilla orchid plant. Producing them is labor intensive, and that’s why they are expensive. When buying vanilla beans look for ones that are plump and flexible, not dry, split or withered. At home, wrap the loosely and keep them in a cool, dry spot in an airtight container. When kept correctly, they will last a very long time, although their potency may fade over time. If your beans develop a white fuzz, they’ve gotten moldy and you should discard them.
How to Store These Cupcakes in the Fridge for Later
These cupcakes will last keep well at room temperature for 2 to 3 days if they’re stored in an airtight container and the kitchen stays under 70°F. If your kitchen is warmer than that or you want to keep them for longer than 2 to 3 days, refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 7 days. Keep in mind that they will slowly dry out in the refrigerator.
More Homemade Cupcake Recipes to Try!
Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Coconut Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting Double Chocolate Cupcakes Carrot Cake Cupcakes Gluten-Free Chocolate Banana Cupcakes
1/2 cup whole milk 1/2 whole vanilla bean (or 1 whole bean if you can spare it) 1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 cup sour cream 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 1 cup sugar 1 large egg 2 egg whites
For the frosting:
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar 1/2 vanilla bean (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
Place the seeds, empty bean, and the milk in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat for a few minutes until the milk is just starting to steam. Be careful not to boil or scald the milk. Remove from heat and allow the milk to cool with the vanilla beans. After it cools, remove the bean pod. (Wash it and then place it out to dry so it can be used again.) Add the egg and beat for 30 seconds. Add the egg whites, one at a time, beating for 30 seconds each. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl.
