# This thread is so vanilla **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [January 16, 2026, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760 "2026-01-16T22:37:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/1 "2026-01-16T22:37:10Z")
I want to celebrate all foods and drinks that are authentically vanilla. Sodas, shakes, ice cream, cake, candy, cookies etc. White cake is white cake, but a good vanilla cake is heaven. Your turn.šŸ˜ ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/2 "2026-01-16T23:03:13Z")
Vanilla Ice, Ice baby. šŸ˜„ You can sell it by the gram! You left yourself open for that one! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/3 "2026-01-16T23:12:40Z")
I certainly did! ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/4 "2026-01-16T23:21:49Z")
Are you among those who use only natural and real vanilla, or are you also willing to use artificial vanilla flavor as an ingredient? (Jack Bishop on Americaā€™s Test Kitchen, the arbiter of what you are allowed to eat according to him, has given us all permission to use artificial vanilla flavoring for at least a couple of years now, because a) itā€™s so much less expensive, but even more b) the vanillin is the main thing we taste in any vanilla, and all the floral notes etc. disappear in cooking.) Vanilla ice cream is the main thing for me, with the most intense vanilla flavor. I donā€™t eat ice cream any more, so I canā€™t give you a brand, but I used to eat Haagen Daz (sp?). ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/5 "2026-01-17T00:09:36Z")
I tried the Bourbon Vanilla Extract (itā€™s a variety of vanilla bean, no whiskey involved) from Trader Joeā€™s and nothing else tastes right after it. It is SO good. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/6 "2026-01-17T00:13:13Z")
We just picked up the exact same! When I make a shake with low-carb ice cream I add a spoon of that to it. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/7 "2026-01-17T00:56:08Z")
Recipe for copycat Orange Julius: Orange Julius Servings: 2 INGREDIENTS Ā¾ cup frozen orange juice concentrate 1 cup milk 1 cup water Ā¼ cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 8 ice cubes STEPS 1. WARNING TO MYSELF: Do not attempt to save time by doubling the recipe. There wonā€™t be enough room in the blender to add all the ice. 2. Add the frozen orange juice concentrate, milk, water, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract into your blender. Blend for a few minutes until smooth. 3. Gradually add the ice cubes, 1-2 at a time, blending after each addition until the mixture is frothy and smooth. 4. Serve immediately and enjoy! NOTES Homemade Recipes on Facebook Prep Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 5 minutes Servings: 2 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/8 "2026-01-17T01:01:30Z")
Tastes better(yum that fake umami) with Tang according to my you guns. The Lilā€™wrekker makes a Dirty Julius with Tang and gin and all the rest of your ingredients. She does top it with Cool whip. ā€œWhy mess it up with real whipped cream?ā€, sez she! ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/9 "2026-01-17T01:02:06Z")
I just want to say, I get Mexican vanilla extract and mix it into all kinds of things. Itā€™s awesome stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/10 "2026-01-17T01:03:19Z")
I love the Mexican vanilla, as well. We use it for stuff, a bunch. (Great in breakfast cornbread, that is so popular with the grandkids) We have the real stuff too. (I looked just now, seems my Mexican vanilla is real, just blended) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/11 "2026-01-17T01:21:18Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > or are you also willing to use artificial vanilla flavor as an ingredient? Sacrilege! Pistols at dawn, sir! I have a jug of Nielsen-Massey on the shelf, which is pretty good. I bought some vanilla from [The Vanilla Bean Project](https://vanillabeanproject.com/collections/pure-vanilla-extract). Really good stuff, but expensive ($15/8oz). You can get extract, paste or beans. I ran out at Christmas making cookies and would order more, but I really need to use that big jug mentioned above. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/12 "2026-01-17T01:46:12Z")
Sure, Iā€™ll use artificial vanillaā€¦the day you find a box of 'Nilla Wafers in my house. šŸ˜ ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/13 "2026-01-17T01:54:01Z")
ā€˜Nilla about the only cookie I can eat. I have to say, the dogs like them too. They beg and beg. Donā€™t diss the ā€˜Nilla. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/14 "2026-01-17T02:22:01Z")
I have no problem getting _real_ vanilla wafers, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/15 "2026-01-17T02:56:23Z")
Ok. What brand are they? Iā€™ll try them. If I can. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/16 "2026-01-17T03:02:10Z")
I canā€™t if I donā€™t know where you are, roughly. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/17 "2026-01-17T03:09:04Z")
Oh..I looked already. Trader Joeā€™s is not near me. Whole Foods is in Little Rock. Not here. I could order online. Not sure if the added sugar can be managed. Iā€™d have to look at ingredients lists. I seriously was not aware they were available at all. I figured all grocery store baked goods, cookies and the like had artificial flavorings. Color me educated. And thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/18 "2026-01-17T03:11:48Z")
Vanilla is why I like white chocolate. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/19 "2026-01-17T05:47:30Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Vanilla ice cream is the main thing for me, with the most intense vanilla flavor. I donā€™t eat ice cream any more, so I canā€™t give you a brand, but I used to eat Haagen Daz (sp?). Ahhh, for me it is Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla. Artificial vanilla, but itā€™s still best. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760/20 "2026-01-17T05:52:50Z")
If Iā€™m having hot coffee I add a splash of vanilla and a shake of good true cinnamon to the French press and it makes all the difference in the world between pretty good coffee and fucking awesome coffee. Real whipping cream too. Life is too short to drink blechy coffee. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-thread-is-so-vanilla/1026760.md?page=2)