Mexican Vanilla And Regular Vanilla?

Decorating By icingonthecupcake Updated 11 May 2006 , 5:25am by icingonthecupcake

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icingonthecupcake Posted 10 May 2006 , 10:56pm
post #1 of 9

What is the difference and does anyone use one over the other? My mother just came home from a Disney cruise to Mexico and on her return she brought me home a bottle of Mexican vanilla, well I decided to give it a try and the taste was very different with Mexican vanilla in my buttercream then with regular vanilla. I like the taste but it gave my buttercream more of a vanilla ice cream taste over the whip cream taste I get from my regular vanilla. I am not sure if I want to switch. Anyone else have a vanilla dilema?

8 replies
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JoAnnB Posted 10 May 2006 , 11:44pm
post #2 of 9

There has been a ton of discussion on vanilla in the past. It is a matter of personal taste. There are preferences from imitation vanilla (tastes great and much cheaper) to Madagascar vanilla (quite expensive). Each one has their favorites and some choose different vanilla's for different recipes.

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Viks Posted 10 May 2006 , 11:47pm
post #3 of 9

Oooo, I've never heard of Mexican vanilla! A vanilla ice cream taste would be nice, I'll have to see if I can get my hands on some.

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kdhoffert Posted 11 May 2006 , 1:12am
post #4 of 9

I've used Mexican vanilla in my recipes if there is a large amount of Crisco. It's a stronger vanilla and it really helps with the crisco taste. IMO

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fearlessbaker Posted 11 May 2006 , 1:21am
post #5 of 9

Go to www.penzeys.com you will find a list of spices and you can look at the the differences.

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golfgirl1227 Posted 11 May 2006 , 3:08am
post #6 of 9

I have some and I like to use it in icing sometimes. However, I use less than the recipe calls for because it's "different" taste is really strong. For the most part, I use Madagascar Bourbon vanilla- it has a wonderful flavor.

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CakesWithAttitude Posted 11 May 2006 , 3:15am
post #7 of 9

I buy mexican vanilla everytime I go to cozumel on a cruise( about 3 times a year) and just remember that mexican vanilla is very very strong. It is double strength; so you use half the amount. Which is good for icing; b/c it won't color as much for a pure vanilla. But I don't use it in icing for that reason. But it makes baked goods wonderful. I personally think it is better than Madagascar vanilla; part of the reason is b/c it is sooo much cheaper. But it is a wonderful vanilla and will only color icing slightly b/c it only takes half the amount.

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KimAZ Posted 11 May 2006 , 5:08am
post #8 of 9

I recently switched to Mexican vanilla too after picking up some on a cruise I went on earlier this year. I love the taste and the smell is wonderful too. I use the same amount as imitation and think it's just great in my buttercream.

KimAZ

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icingonthecupcake Posted 11 May 2006 , 5:25am
post #9 of 9

Thanks for all the replies. I just whipped up a fresh batch of buttercream with the Mexican vanilla and I am with you Kim I am hooked it is so yummy!!

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