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Vanilla recipes

Vanilla is the fruit of an orchid plant (and no, it’s not one of your five a day). It’s extremely pernickety to grow, which adds to its expense whether you buy it as pods, extract or essence. Happily, a little goes a long way.

It’s also incredibly hard to describe the flavour, without saying it’s vanilla-y or chocolate-y! Either way, make the most of it in these creamy, scent-laden recipes, which include drinks, pannacottas and cakes.

Showing 1-16 of 37 recipes

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Patisserie recipes

Manon Lagrève’s mini canelés

Manon Lagrève shares a family recipe for mini canelés. The wonderful batter is flavoured with vanilla and rum, and caramelises during baking.

Medium

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Bank holiday recipes

Vanilla buttercream

Classic vanilla buttercream is a baking staple. Use it as your base and adapt to suit your needs – a little cocoa powder for chocolate icing or almond extract in place of vanilla.

Freezable Gluten-free

Easy

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Patisserie recipes

Vanilla slice

The hero of many a high street bakery, the vanilla slice is a glorious thing. Like a cross between a custard tart and a mille feuille, it takes you through a whole range of textures and embraces the retro aesthetic better than any other bake.

Easy

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Coffee recipes

Coffee, hazelnut and vanilla tequila

Coffee beans gently infuse into tequila over time, while hazelnuts, vanilla and sugar round out the flavour. Delicious over ice in the sun.

Dairy-free Gluten-free Vegan

Easy

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Make-ahead dessert recipes

Vanilla freezer cookie dough

Vanilla freezer cookie dough is perfect when you need something sweet in under 15 minutes. Keep it in the freezer until ready to bake.

Vegetarian Make-ahead

Easy

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September seasonal recipes

Plum and vanilla jam

This speedy plum preserve with hints of vanilla and cinnamon uses a clever time-saving trick. Delicious plum jam in a hurry? Yes please.

Dairy-free Gluten-free Vegan

Easy

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Non-alcoholic drink recipes

Lemon verbena and vanilla cordial

This homemade cordial for grown-ups uses herbs, lemon verbena and edible flowers to create a sophisticated cooler for spring and summer days.

Dairy-free Gluten-free Vegan Vegetarian

Easy

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Best of British recipes

Proper homemade custard

This easy recipe for proper homemade custard is the perfect finishing touch: pour it over apple pie, steamed pudding, or whatever you fancy.

Gluten-free Vegetarian

Easy

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Biscuit recipes

Vanilla and chocolate shortbread pinwheels

These gorgeous vanilla and chocolate shortbread pinwheels have that extra bit of wow-factor and aren't as tricky to make as you think.

Easy

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Christmas baking recipes

Vanilla fudge

Give our easy vanilla fudge recipe a go! It takes less than an hour to make 20 squares – perfect for a homemade Christmas gift.

Easy

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Apricot recipes

Vanilla tart with poached apricots

The filling for this vanilla tart recipe is made with cream, eggs and fresh vanilla. It's super rich which makes the tangy poached apricots a perfect match.

Easy

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Strawberry recipes

Strawberry and vanilla baked cheesecake

Strawberries are the hero in this beautiful baked strawberry cheesecake recipe – it'd be perfect for a summer dinner party dessert, or even afternoon tea

Easy

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Retro puddings

Granny Brett’s warm vanilla rice pudding with golden syrup

This creamy vanilla rice pudding is inspired by the version chef Roy Brett's granny used to make when he was young. A comfort food classic.

Easy

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Vanilla recipes

Katrya’s baba with vanilla and lovage syrup

Typically made with rum, this baba uses a vanilla and lovage infused vodka syrup for an extra punch of flavour. Serve warm for extra gooiness

Challenge

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Rhubarb recipes

Îles flottantes with marsala and roasted rhubarb

This traditional French recipe consists of smooth vanilla custard topped with fluffy 'floating islands' of meringue, baked rhubarb and amaretti biscuits.