I am pondering trying another vanilla extract as I saw good reviews for Penny's Sugar Cookie recipe and it calls for 2 tablespoons of vanilla. Ouch! I have been using McCormick pure vanilla extract, but am I am wondering what you all like. I have seen the large bottles of extract at Cost-Co, but am nervous to try it. Any thoughts on what you like?

Tracy, I use the large bottles of vanilla from Sams in my cookies. in my icing I use McCormick clear vanilla. I am very happy with the flavors in both. I'd be interested to know if you try something else and prefer the taste. Now, one batch of my cookies uses three teaspoons, that makes probably about 15 medium sized cookies.

Thanks, Shiney! Alas, no Sam's Club here. I just left our local cake store and asked the owner what she uses and she only uses the really good Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla (the kind at Williams-Sonoma), but I just can't swing that cost wise in my cookies. A customer said to try the Kirkland brand (Cost-Co) Madagascar vanilla, but I am hoping someone can give the thumbs up or down on it. I don't want to sacrifice taste, but with the cost of vanilla, I thought I'd see what everyone is doing. Thanks for responding, Shiney!

Ah, Tracy, I'll watch this space and see what folks have to say about it.
Shiney

Ah, Tracy, I'll watch this space and see what folks have to say about it.
Shiney

I use the one from costco and I love it. I thought it was going to be way too much vanilla, but I was wrong. I didn't realize how much vanilla I go through in a month.

I have always used the Costco brand vanilla in my cookies and icing. I always meant to buy some of the fancy stuff, just to compare, but since I'm happy with the Costco brand I never got around to it. And I'm definitely very happy with the price . But I would love to hear other people's input too to see if its worth getting the fancier stuff.

neilson-massey vanilla is soooo good. If you go to www.surfas.com they have the best price of vanilla around. The absolutely best vanilla is homemade vanilla using vanilla beans and vodka. The BEST!!!! A great website about all things vanilla is www.vanillareview.com.

HTH
Jessica

I use the one from BJ's (Berkely & Jensen) so far I've had no issues with it..its a great price for the amount that you get.

I use the BJ's brand, too- $6.99/16 oz.

i use the costco brand. it is 100% pure madagascar bourbon vanilla. the price is great ...........

I use the Watkins Double Strength, it contains less alcohol than other brands so the flavor doesn't bake out. It is a awesome mellow flavor. I also use their clear vanilla for times when I need clear, it is great as well!

I've been beholden to whoever (whomever?) I can get to bring back some vanilla extract from the States for me. Last stash I got was the Neilson-Massey brand, that I'd never heard of, and it was really nice!

But to do away with the necessity of troubling every man, woman and child I know coming back from the US, I've begun with making my own brew. I cannot use it yet, but I can't wait!!!

The cost of making it isn't necessarily cheaper, I think, but it will give me a better supply. This is the recipe I bonjovibabe shared with me:

750ml bottle of vodka and steep 18 split fresh vanilla pods for at least 4 months (the longer the better really).

I'll report back how it turns out.

I use Mexican vanilla that I get from a local spice store -- love it! I don't shop at Costco, but I might get someone to pick me up a bottle since so many have had good results.

I'd like to try the Watkins brand. Every Christmas the BH&G cookie magazine has an ad for a free sample. I forget to call about it, but I think I'll write it on my calendar this year.

I have a couple of bottles of the Nielsen-Massey vanilla, but I don't know what to think about it. It has an odd smell -- very, very strong alcohol. I thought it might be old or something so I took it back. This store is a high-end grocery with a good turnover. They were happy to replace my bottle, but it has the same smell. Guess I'm just used to mine. Now I don't know what to do with it.

LOL How funny are you!! I never dreamed they were possibly available over here, so never looked! You can only find vanilla flavored sugar or 'aroma' here...never seen real vanilla ever.

Cool - I'll give them a call tomorrow! Thanks!!

I make my own too! Vodka for most recipes but I made some with bourbon and use that with the chocolate and caramel recipes.

Some one told me there is a good one at Trader Joes...??

I used to use TJ's before I discovered the NM at Surfa's. I think TJ's was...$4 for 4oz?? I don't know if I am remembering that correctly. I know it was roughly the same price as NM but not nearly as good. The ironic thing was figuring out when to use up my TJ's vanilla, as technically it wasn't as good but I felt it was almost more "special" since it actually cost more LOL.

(Of course if you are in Los Angeles the NM vanilla is ridiculously cheap since you don't pay shipping...comes to 80cents an ounce with tax included.)

I am in Los Angeles County... up north in the burbs. Do you mean to go to surfas for the NM? Thanks...

CESHELL... Just realized we have talked before. We were going to try to get together at Portos but I don't think it worked out for you.... We'll have to try again. I am closer to Valencia.... Pat

But if Costco's is 100% pure Madagascar Bourbon vanilla then why NM? Just wondering...

I do mean Surfas for the NM vanilla but in your case it would cost you more in gas than it would cost to pay them shipping.

But if you plan to be in the area (Culver City) it's soooo...worth stopping in...It's a chef's heaven (and I'm not even a chef). Although it is not a cake decorating supply shop, they have a lot of supplies and a lot of food-related items eg. bulk chocolates, flavoring extracts and oils, etc. Then there's the cake pans, cutters, and all sorts of random stuff I can't even begin to list. That still leaves the rest of the store and its restaurant supplies, including the food section: jams and jellies and oils and vinegars and gourmet pantry products, frozen section, I go there from time to time just to window shop and dream! >>sorry everyone else, a little OT here<<<

(ps I don't think that was me but there is at least one other LA CCer with a similar name to mine )

Jopalis: I have not tried the Costco vanilla, I would be interested to know how it stacks up against the NM but I would be surprised if it is as good. As with every type of product, quality differs from manufacturer to manufacturer and oftentimes you really do get what you pay for. According to the NM website (Ok I realize this is a marketing blurb) "Q: Does all vanilla taste the same? A: No, taste depends on a number of factors. The country of origin of the vanilla beans, maturity of the beans when picked, curing method used of the beans and the extraction method used to produce the extract all will influence the final flavor profile."

you're right... it was cshelz...

I want to go there..... Might be worth the trip for the fun factor too....

thanks...

OH...btw.... do you need a vendors license to shop there? Thx...

OK txcat..... spill your vanilla beans... Where do you get that song? LOL! thanks for the education. Although now I feel bad using clear vanilla... yuckkkkkk....