15 Best Substitutes for Vanilla Bean Paste

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In this section, I am going to talk about the best Substitutes of Vanilla Bean Paste you can find in the comfort of your home.

In fact, the following are the exact Substitutes that I use whenever I am out of Vanilla Bean Paste at home, and trust me, they work magic.

Keep reading to know how you can find a perfect substitute for Vanilla Bean Paste at your home too.

Fifteen Best Substitutes for Vanilla Bean Paste

The Best Substitutes for Vanilla Bean Paste are – Maple Syrup, Almond Extract, Vanilla Bean Powder, Honey, Homemade Vanilla Bean Paste, Vanilla Ice Cream, Whole Vanilla Bean, Imitation Vanilla Extract, Vanilla Extract/Essence, Citrus Zest, Bourbon, Rum, Brandy, Cardamom and Cinnamon.

They are discussed in detail here:-

Maple syrup

It makes a tasty coating for Christmas ham. Containers of maple syrup are an ideal choice if you need to pour sweetness over food.

It is a valuable sugar in baking and can be utilized in equivalent proportions to vanilla bean paste. If one has a sweet tooth, add some extra since maple syrup is not as seriously sweet.

How to Substitute

If you have maple syrup, substitute one teaspoon of vanilla bean paste with more than one teaspoon of sweet maple syrup. If you have the fresh raw Maple, utilize the 1:1 proportion. They are quite strong; too much of their contents might hurt your tastebuds.

Watch this video by “BuzzFeed Multiplayer” to find out new ways of how Maple syrup can be used in various recipes here:-

Almond Extract

Another method to enjoy the extract flavor is with almond Extract. Almond extract, like vanilla bean paste, is ordinarily utilized in baking.

Almond Extract will pleasantly blend in with different fixings, yet it may cause a slight change in the flavor of the final dish.

As almond Extract itself is a concentrate, just a little measure is huge compared to different substitutions. It is best for cakes and brownies.

Even though Almond extract acts similar from the viewpoint of being a concentrate, you can not help but see that it causes a little change in the flavor of the result.

How to Substitute

It will be as concentrated as an extract intended to season baked goods and different treats. So, you will not get a huge vanilla bean paste flavor by utilizing it as a 1:1 Almond Extract substitute. Also, you might need to use it to replace all or some of the liquid ingredients in your recipe.

Ever made Almond extract before? Check out this video by “Michigan Tropical Gardener” talking about how to make almond extract at home quickly and easily, here:-

Vanilla bean powder

There are various sorts of vanilla powder; however, all can give a spotless vanilla flavor. Vanilla powder is normally made by crushing vanilla beans to powder or drying a blend of cornstarch and vanilla extract.

The powder produced using the beans is usually more concentrated than the assortment made with the extract.

The benefit of utilizing either sort of vanilla powder to season treats is that it will give flavor with no extra dampness or liquor notes.

It implies that it’s alluring for treats and comparable baked products; however, it isn’t as simple to use in creamier or moister sweets.

How to Substitute

When subbing vanilla bean powder, do it in a proportion of 2:1. On the off chance that a dish calls for one teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, use ½ tsp of vanilla powder.

Confused about how to make vanilla bean powder for any recipe? Check out this video by “Crazy Hacker” showing how to make a fine, pure vanilla bean powder at home easily, here:-

Honey

Honey is an attractive alternative for individuals that can not utilize vanilla bean paste yet at the same time need a comparable common sugar. It’s a sweet, syrupy, golden-colored liquid made of honeybees.

Honeybees store honey in the beehive to use for food and nutrients. It’s a flexible alternative that is magnificent at offsetting salty food.

Use in baking, sweets, and marinades. In certain dishes, you will see a discreet honey undertone, so you should weigh up if this is a dealbreaker or not.

The honey texture is thicker and gooier, making it somewhat more precarious to work with during cooking.

How to Substitute

If you choose to utilize it, add one spoon of honey for each one spoon of vanilla bean paste. Remember, honey and vanilla bean paste are not the same, so you might not get the exact taste even after adding 2 or 3 teaspoons.

Do you not know how to use, process, and preserve honey at home? Check out “Professional Life Hacker” as they share how to process and pasteurize honey at home:-

Vanilla ice cream

Indeed, you can substitute vanilla bean paste for vanilla ice cream. It is a great substitute for milkshakes or frozen sweets. The vanilla ice cream contains cream, vanilla, milk, and it is frozen.

Vanilla ice cream has an inconspicuous vanilla flavor with a Cold sweet taste.

Vanilla Ice-cream, hence, gives your treat all it needs. You can call it an all-in-one substitute fixing. Use as much ice cream as is required for your pastry.

Remember that this time, the substitute is an entire bundle of what you need for your pastry. It is not only the vanilla flavor this time.

How to substitute

Take out an equal proportion of vanilla ice cream to the amount of vanilla bean paste your recipe calls for, but add it gradually. If you continue gradually adding your vanilla ice cream and tasting your food as you add it, you can ensure that the taste of the vanilla ice cream blend does not overpower your finished dish.

Did you know you can make vanilla ice cream in your kitchen? Watch this video by “Hira’s Recipes” showing how easily we can make vanilla ice cream at home, here:-

Whole vanilla beans

Vanilla beans are costly, which implies that you may not generally have them available.

If the cost isn’t an issue for you, they end up being probably the ideal approach to add a concentrated vanilla flavor to your baked product.

They are the wellspring of the flavor in vanilla paste and are consequently the best substitute for it. Like vanilla paste, vanilla beans will give a similar appearance in lighter shaded sweets.

The two items will give the little dark spots generally connected with vanilla bean ice cream, making smooth sweets visually appealing.

How to Substitute

You utilize vanilla beans by dividing the pods with a sharp blade and scratching the seeds out with the blade’s edge. You would then be able to add those seeds to your sweet. Utilize one whole vanilla bean for every teaspoon of vanilla bean paste in your dish.

Want to know how whole vanilla bean can be prepared for a recipe? Watch “Dyann Bakes” step by step showing us how to prepare your favorite whole vanilla beans pod, here:-

Imitation vanilla extract

Imitation Vanilla extract is produced using similar fixings as the pure vanilla bean paste, except it utilizes artificial benzaldehyde made in a lab.

Imitation vanilla extract doesn’t contain any nuts, so it is a safe choice to use if you have got a nut allergy.

Imitation vanilla extract offers a more intense flavor than Vanilla bean paste. Some belief it to exemplify a false flavoring being a better dish than the basic one.

There have been researches to check whether individuals can distinguish between the pure Vanilla Extract and the Imitation Vanilla Extract, and individuals seldom appear to differentiate.

How to substitute

One teaspoon of vanilla bean paste is equal to two teaspoons of imitation vanilla extract, one teaspoon of vanilla powder (optional), and half a teaspoon of almond extract. Make sure to check the taste, as the ratio might depend on the kind of dish you are preparing.

Did you know when you should use imitation vanilla extract in your recipes? Watch this video by “How to DIY & save a dime” explaining when to use imitation vanilla extract in our dishes:-

Vanilla Extract/ Essence

Vanilla Essence or extract, like vanilla bean paste, is ordinarily utilized in Baking. Use twice as much vanilla essence as vanilla bean paste.

Vanilla will easily mix in with different ingredients, yet it may cause a little change in the taste of the final meal.

As Vanilla Essence itself is an extract, even a small amount is huge compared to other replacements. It is best for brownies and cakes.

Even though vanilla essence acts similarly from the viewpoint of being a concentrate, you can not help but see that it causes a little change in the flavor of the result.

How to substitute

Add four parts of the vanilla extract or essence with one part almonds extract for an easy substitute when you are in a rush. This proportion will make a very nice taste for whatever dish you are whipping up. It is also easy to make whatever quantity of extract you need using this ratio.

Confused about how to use Vanilla Essence in a recipe? Check out here:-

Homemade Vanilla Bean Paste

If you would prefer not to waste energy searching for different other options, you can generally make vanilla bean paste at home also.

It requires 30 minutes to get everything ready, and you will have enough to use in your dish.

All you need is 30 vanilla beans, six tablespoons of Extract, and one ⅔ agave nectar. Place the fixings in a blender and mix until you get a smooth surface.

Press on the vanilla bean so the fluid can come out, and place the combination in a container. Store the paste in your refrigerator for future utilization.

How to substitute

As it is almost the same as shop-bought vanilla bean paste, you can substitute homemade Vanilla Bean Paste in an equivalent quantity. Remember to taste the food after adding a very small quantity. You can add more if required.

Never made vanilla bean paste at home to use it for a sweet dessert? Check out this recipe by “Eda Gul” showing how to prepare a vanilla bean paste at home quickly and easily, here:-

Bourbon

Bourbon is a kind of American whiskey, barrel-matured refined alcohol made basically from corn. While Bourbon is an extraordinary Vanilla bean paste elective, it is substantially more potent in flavor.

Very much like with rum, 33% of the measure of bourbon is sufficient.

Fortunately, Bourbon is not challenging to track down; however, ensure that you pick an unflavored one. Bourbon ought to be packaged at 80 proof.

Vanilla bourbon functions admirably, for it has somewhat more of the pleasantness anticipated from Vanilla bean paste. A trace of vanilla concentrate or brown sugar can assist with decreasing how sharp this soul can be.

How to substitute

Use 1 tbsp of bourbon to substitute 1 tbsp of vanilla bean paste. For another quick substitute, use the bourbon, which you are likely to have on hand (to make one tablespoon); combine two 3/4 teaspoons of bourbon with 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste.

Confused about how to use bourbon? Look no further and check this video by “The Bourbonite” talking about how to drink your bourbon in a proper way, here:-

Brandy

Vanilla has a hint of brandy, so it just bodes well that brandy is a great substitute. While it signifies ‘Burnt wine,’ it is a fragile, matured soul.

When filled with a mixed drink, cooked off in a sauce, or sprinkled into a pastry for additional flavor, nobody will see you have exchanged the fixing.

However, please make sure to check the label and ensure it is anything but a seasoned assortment like bourbon or rum, as this may taste strange in your recipe. Brandy is magnificent for deglazing and flambéing.

Check the label to guarantee that the container you are purchasing is 80-proof liquor.

How to Substitute

For proper measurements, one teaspoon of Brandy equals two little spoons of vanilla bean paste. Contingent upon the amount of food, you can compare the necessary vanilla bean paste with the perfect measure of brandy.

Watch “Steve the barman” to know how to prepare some easy, delicious Brandy cocktails to make at home:-

Rum

Rum is an alcohol made by maturing and refining sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice. The distillate, a clear fluid, is generally developed in oak barrels.

It’s an excellent vanilla bean paste substitution. Rum is potent, so utilizing a little at a time will give you the best outcomes.

You should use 33% of rum instead of vanilla bean paste. Rum will, in general, be a touch better than vanilla bean paste, so ensure to discover some harmony between flavors.

Matured and dark are ideal when cooking dishes with intense flavors like hamburger stews or pork, while white rums are regularly utilized for cooking fish or poultry.

How to Substitute

For the replacement, utilize a large portion of a teaspoon of regular Rum for more than two sips of vanilla bean paste. Regular Rum is itself a fantastic drink to replace.

Did you know how you can make rum extract in your kitchen? Watch this video by “SamoesA” showing how easily and quickly we can make DIY Rum at home, here:-

Citrus zest

Citrus zest is the yellow outer part of its strip. It is often used with or without lemon juice to add a tangy flavor to recipes.

Citrus zest is effectively the best vanilla bean paste substitute since it is effectively accessible in the nearby store.

It likewise has the most similar taste profile. To utilize it in the recipe, you need to grind the citrus zest (an external piece of fruit) and blend it as indicated by the measure of food inside to have a decent flavor.

While the fragrance is not as intense and complex, citrus zest is the closest common ingredient to vanilla bean paste.

How to substitute

For proper measurements, one teaspoon of citrus zest equals two little spoons of vanilla bean paste. Contingent upon the amount of food, you can compare the necessary vanilla bean paste with the perfect measure of citrus zest.

Want to know how you can zest citrus for different recipes? Watch “Cakes and more! Baking for beginners” telling us about tips and tricks on how to zest citrus fruits like Orange, lemon, and lime:-

Cardamom

Cardamom is an exceptionally unique flavor, for the most part, utilized in Indian food and, surprisingly, in other heavenly European desserts.

You can utilize cardamom as a substitute for the exceptional taste and smell of vanilla bean paste.

The seeds of cardamom are gathered and afterward dried before being devoured. It’s more phenomenal to use on exquisite dishes to help its fragrance and flavor. It’s relatively somewhat costly.

It is worth the replacement because of its capacity to duplicate the vanilla bean paste’s novel attributes like flavor. Different sorts of cooking utilize their entire units and seeds when cooking.

How to Substitute

Follow the 1:1 proportion while substituting cardamom for vanilla bean paste. If you are making a huge batch, change the substance and taste before adding more to it.

Want to know how you can use cardamom in different recipes? Watch “Anastasia at kind earth” telling us about how to use cardamom pods in recipes that can be easily made:-

Cinnamon

Cinnamon sticks don’t resemble vanilla bean paste in every manner. If you search for a fragrant marginally seasoned zest for your prepared dishes, look no farther than Cinnamon.

Whether in vegetables or cakes, you can never turn out badly with an old Cinnamon stick. It helps to remember the heat perfect for using during autumn and wintertime.

You can use cinnamon with curries or nut-based baked goods rather than fruit ones. It is ideal for non-fruity treats as it doesn’t contend with fruit when combined as one. It’s one of the ingredients added in Garam masala.

How to Substitute

For the replacement, utilize a large portion of a Cinnamon leaf for more than two spoons of vanilla bean paste. If you like the appearance and fragrance, you can add more.

Not sure if the cinnamon leaf is the right choice for your dish? Check out this video by “Yum” telling you all about Cinnamon, here:-

FAQ’s

Is vanilla bean paste the same as vanilla extract?

Vanilla bean paste is a thicker type of vanilla extract which likewise contains a portion of the seeds from the vanilla pod (bean). The paste is generally thickened with a characteristic thickener called gum tragacanth, so it is nothing but fundamentally more focused than a fluid concentrate.

What is the difference between vanilla bean paste and vanilla powder?

Vanilla powder is a liquor-free item that is just vanilla concentrate dried with a characteristic cornstarch base. Vanilla paste is a sweet blend made of both vanilla concentrate and beans blended in with sugar, water, and a characteristic thickener.

What is the difference between vanilla bean paste and vanilla bean?

Vanilla bean paste comprises of genuine seeds that come from a vanilla bean unit. It is comprised of a mix of vanilla bean powder and vanilla bean separate and has a consistency like that of paste. Be that as it may, most organizations add sugar or corn syrup as a folio (which is somewhat of a major issue).

Bottom Line

I hope this detailed guide helped you in finding substitutes for Vanilla Bean Paste with ease.

Attempt these Vanilla Bean Paste substitutes and let us know the outcomes in the remark area beneath. Which one replacement worked out to be the awesome you? If you think about some other unimaginable substitute, do let us know.

If you think these substitutes would be helpful for your family and friends, do share them with them.

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About Marie Thomas

Marie is a food enthusiast who has always wanted to have her own food blog. She loves cooking and experimenting with new recipes, and she can't wait to share them with the world when she finally launches her blog! When Marie isn't in the kitchen cooking up something delicious or writing about her adventures at home or on vacation, you might find Marie taking care of her family and enjoying time with friends.