Louisville Restaurants Forum

Before I start baking and freezing cookies for the holidays I was wondering if any of you real cooks out there have a favorite vanilla. And before someone mentions it...no, I am not going to make my own with vanilla beans and vodka. Just a really good store bought one will do nicely. I usually just buy whatever is on the shelf as long as its real vanilla and not a substitute. Is there one that is particularly good?

Penzey's has been my lovely brides choice for many years.

Available where?

Penzey's is at the Shelbyville Rd Plaza (same plaza as the old Hawley-Cooke and just up the street from the old Sears building) but faces the parking lot, not Shelbyville Rd.


MissChele

Is that the spice store that's in there?

Yes, dear Carla. It is indeed!

Michele Cull wrote:Penzey's is at the Shelbyville Rd Plaza (same plaza as the old Hawley-Cooke and just up the street from the old Sears building) but faces the parking lot, not Shelbyville Rd.


MissChele

And right next door to Jason's and Home Run Burgers!

And right next door to Jason's and Home Run Burgers!

Right! I could remember what was there 20 years ago, but not what I saw there last week...


MissChele

Right! I could remember what was there 20 years ago, but not what I saw there last week...

MissChele

That was the best laught of the day!

I'll give it a try. Thanks everybody!

You won't regret getting the vanilla at Penzey's. I bought some of the expensive stuff at Williams-Sonoma last year and regretted it. Was much better and a bit less at Penzey's. But I can't go in that store very often, it's always a shock to my checkbook before I get out of there!

Nielsen- Massey madagascar bourbon vanilla extract! I've been using it for years and it really makes a huge difference. ( I have never tried the Penzey's).

It used to be a specialty store item, but it's now available much more widely. I swear I saw it at Trader Joes in the large bottle, they carry at WSonoma, and I would guess that they have it at The Cooking Cottage. You can buy it on-line from King Arthur Flour http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/madagascar-bourbon-vanilla-extract & Sur la Table. The company also makes other specialty extracts ( orange, lemon, etc) that are VERY good and alot less expensive than the vanilla.

Deb

Cathy (Webb) Frederick--Cathy's Designer Cookies-- just posted a blurb on her FB page about vanilla. Cathy has taught many cookie making and decorating classes at Cooking at the Cottage and I can attest that her cookies are fabulous! She said she uses the Nielson-Massey vanilla. Also, she talks about a product called vanilla paste available at Cooking at the Cottage. I haven't tried it but certainly will be!

Tried to provide the link? If it doesn't work just search for Cathy's Designer Cookies on FB.
http://www.facebook.com/CathysCookies?ref=stream

I have always used either Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla or Tahitian Vanilla.

Carol C wrote:Cathy (Webb) Frederick--Cathy's Designer Cookies-- just posted a blurb on her FB page about vanilla. Cathy has taught many cookie making and decorating classes at Cooking at the Cottage and I can attest that her cookies are fabulous! She said she uses the Nielson-Massey vanilla. Also, she talks about a product called vanilla paste available at Cooking at the Cottage. I haven't tried it but certainly will be!

Tried to provide the link? If it doesn't work just search for Cathy's Designer Cookies on FB.
http://www.facebook.com/CathysCookies?ref=stream

Carla-
See- told ya!
Deb