If you’re both a baker and Trader Joe’s lover, you’ve probably wondered what the differences are between the various Trader Joe’s vanilla offerings! The grocery store sells a number of different kinds of vanilla, including a few that are only available during the holidays. All of them add vanilla flavor, but there are a few tricks to getting the most out of each. Soon, you’ll know the best way to use Trader Joe’s vanilla beans, vanilla bean paste, and vanilla extracts!
As of September 2024, the current Trader Joe’s vanilla products are:
- Organic pure Bourbon vanilla extract
- Double fold Bourbon vanilla extract (new for fall 2024!)
- Double fold alcohol-free Bourbon vanilla flavoring (new for fall 2024!)
- Bourbon vanilla beans (new for fall 2024!)
- Organic alcohol-free pure vanilla flavor
- Bourbon vanilla bean paste
My most favorite product, Trader Joe’s organic vanilla bean paste, seems to have been discontinued. I kept my overview of it at the very bottom of the page… just in case it comes back. (And I sure hope it does—I liked to stock up on that reasonably-priced vanilla bean paste to use throughout the year!)
What’s the Difference between Vanilla Extract, Vanilla Bean Paste, and Double Fold Vanilla Extract?
Vanilla extract is made by soaking cured vanilla beans in water and ethyl alcohol until the alcohol absorbs the essential oils out of the vanilla bean. The process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the temperature the manufacturer uses for the extraction process. Trader Joe’s vanilla extract is made via cold extraction. That preserves the delicate notes you would otherwise lose via heated extraction!
Double fold vanilla extract is made the same way as regular extract, but with twice as many vanilla beans per gallon. This results in a more concentrated flavor, so you can either use half as much in your recipes, or you can use the same amount as single fold vanilla extract and end up with double the flavor. I was skeptical, but both my husband and I could tell the difference in a blind test taste (more on that in a bit!).
Vanilla bean paste is made of a sugar syrup, vanilla extract, vanilla beans, and thickeners like acacia and xanthan gum. The syrup and thickeners help to suspend the vanilla beans evenly throughout the container; otherwise, they would all sink to the bottom.
Vanilla bean paste can be used as a 1:1 substitution for vanilla extract. It has a slightly stronger vanilla flavor due to both the extract and beans, so the paste is best used in applications where you’ll be able to taste the difference. Think custards, ice creams, and frostings, where you don’t lose all the nuances of the vanilla bean due to high oven temperatures.
Then What Is Alcohol-Free Vanilla Flavor?
Vanilla flavoring is a glycerin-based product. It’s made the same way as vanilla extract, just with glycerin rather than alcohol. You use it just like you would extract, but the flavoring is completely free of alcohol. It’s a great option if you’re looking for real vanilla flavor but can’t use extract due to the alcohol content.
There are now a lot of vanilla options, so this blog post is considerably longer than when I first published it! If you’d rather, you can watch these two short videos from my YouTube channel that cover the basics:
Is There Whiskey in Trader Joe’s Bourbon Vanilla?
People online often ask if TJ’s Bourbon vanilla tastes like whiskey. But no, Bourbon vanilla extract does not have a strong whiskey flavor—there is no bourbon whiskey in Trader Joe’s vanilla!
“Bourbon” in this case refers to the kind of vanilla, not the alcohol, used to make the extract. The region where the vanilla beans grew (now the islands of Madagascar, Réunion, and the Comoros) was originally named after the French Bourbon dynasty, hence “Bourbon vanilla.”
The beans for Trader Joe’s Bourbon vanilla are grown on the island of Réunion; the beans in the organic vanilla bean paste are grown on the neighboring island of Madagascar. They both have fairly similar flavor profiles but different notes.
I’ve found the flavor of the Bourbon vanilla to be richer and a little more smoky than Costco’s pure vanilla extract, which does not specify bean origin. This could be due to Trader Joe’s cold extraction process: Heated extraction (the cheaper option) destroys some of those delicate flavor nuances, while cold extraction preserves them. Those delicate notes tend to bake out around 300°F or 150°C, however, so the flavor is best appreciated in unbaked goods.
That said, you may still have to show an ID to purchase Bourbon vanilla extract. The cashier carded me in central California when I last bought it, probably because of the 35% ABV.
Trader Joe’s Organic Pure Bourbon Vanilla Extract
The 4-oz (118 ml) glass bottle of Bourbon vanilla extract retails for $9.99 and is made from Bourbon vanilla beans from the island of Réunion (not bourbon whiskey). It’s certified organic and has slightly oaky, almost spiced notes with only a mildly alcoholic scent.
To make things confusing, the flavor of the Bourbon vanilla extract does have some notes reminiscent of bourbon whiskey. Those nuances practically disappear once baked, though, so don’t be worried to use a teaspoon of this extract in a batch of cupcakes for your little ones! It’ll just taste like vanilla once baked.
How to Use Trader Joe’s Bourbon Vanilla Extract
Like all vanilla extracts, Trader Joe’s Bourbon vanilla extract is good anywhere you’d like a little bit of vanilla flavor. However, I much prefer to use extract in my baked goods, like cakes, pies, granola, and cookies. You’ll be able to taste the more delicate nuances in cold drinks, like iced tea, cocktails, or milkshakes. And extract won’t leave vanilla bean seeds in the bottom of your drink (like paste will)!
My favorite recipes to make with this extract are mini cherry pies, lavender chocolate chip cookies, vanilla almond granola, and white chocolate pomegranate layer cake. These are all recipes where vanilla extract adds a pleasant flavor but isn’t the star of the show.
Trader Joe’s Double Fold Bourbon Vanilla Extract
This 3.55-oz (105 ml) bottle of double fold Bourbon vanilla extract with vanilla bean seeds sells for $7.99. It’s a new product for fall 2024, and it’s likely to become my new favorite extract! It has a classic, sweet vanilla flavor, and it really makes your baked goods pop! Because double fold vanilla extract is more concentrated than traditional single fold vanilla, the vanilla flavor is noticeably stronger.
I like the look of the bottle, with the long neck and the cork stopper, but I’m not sure it’s super practical. Each time I used it, I shook the bottle considerably before use (as suggested on the label). Because of the long neck, I got only 2 or 3 vanilla beans in my teaspoon. They all sank to the bottom of the bottle in the second it took me to unstop the cork and pour some out.
I’d hardly consider that a real negative when the flavor is so good, but it’s something to note. If you want to use this and see vanilla beans in your baked goods, I’d recommend adding some paste or beans, too.
How to Use Double Fold Vanilla Extract
I made two identical batches of chocolate chip cookies with TJ’s salted caramel chips. In one batch, I used the double fold vanilla, and in the other, I used the single fold vanilla. There was a huge difference in vanilla flavor in the raw cookie dough and a significant difference in the baked cookies.
I had my husband do a blind taste test, and he could tell the difference between the cookies, too! Use double fold vanilla anywhere you want a really strong vanilla flavor in your baked goods: oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon banana bread, vanilla almond granola, vanilla French macarons, etc. I think it would even be strong enough to use in unbaked goods if you didn’t want to use vanilla bean paste!
Trader Joe’s Double Fold Alcohol-Free Bourbon Vanilla Flavoring
For $7.99, this 3.55-oz (105 ml) bottle of double fold alcohol-free Bourbon vanilla flavoring makes baking a little easier for people with alcohol sensitivities. It’s made from real vanilla bean extractives rather than artificial vanillin, so you still get that classic vanilla flavor.
Glycerin-based flavorings tend to be a little thicker than extract, so I actually got vanilla beans in each spoonful with this vanilla! Both this and the single fold vanilla flavoring are a little darker in color compared to extract.
I recently tried this vanilla flavoring for the first time, and my vanilla buttercream and cookies came out like normal with a pleasant vanilla flavor. It is stronger than the alcohol-free single fold vanilla extract (as you would expect). Personally, I still prefer the double fold extract, but this flavoring is a great option for those trying to avoid alcohol entirely.
How to Use Double Fold Alcohol Free Vanilla
Use double fold vanilla flavoring anywhere you’d use vanilla extract. The more intense flavor makes it possible to use half as much as a recipe calls for, or you can use the full amount for a super strong vanilla flavor. I would not recommend measuring with your heart unless you want an overpowering vanilla flavor.
Trader Joe’s Bourbon Vanilla Beans
Trader Joe’s Bourbon vanilla beans retail for a practically unheard-of price: $2.99 for two vanilla beans. The beans were vacuum-sealed and smelled strongly of vanilla when I cut it open. Both beans were in tact (not split open), and they felt appropriately moist (not dried out at all).
In full transparency, I had never purchased vanilla beans before this, so I cannot objectively compare quality. That said, I was able to scrape a lot of vanilla beans out of each pod, and just a little bit flavored my vanilla buttercream for vanilla macarons really nicely.
I’m pretty practical when it comes to baking (that’s why all my recipes have a cleanup rating), so I wasn’t a huge fan of having to wash a knife and cutting board to get vanilla flavor. It was fun for the novelty, though! I plan to buy more vanilla beans from Trader Joe’s for special occasions, but using vanilla bean paste will suffice for me in most cases.
How to Use Trader Joe’s Vanilla Beans
Vanilla bean is best used in unbaked goods or vanilla-forward baked goods so you can really taste the nuances (just like with vanilla bean paste). I’d recommend using fresh vanilla beans in vanilla macarons, French vanilla ice cream, and vanilla French buttercream.
Trader Joe’s Organic Alcohol-Free Pure Vanilla Flavor
The 4-oz (118 ml) bottle of alcohol-free vanilla flavor costs $8.99, but it’s not on Trader Joe’s website, for whatever reason. It’s a great alternative to organic vanilla extract if you’re sensitive to alcohol, though I preferred the stronger flavor of the double fold vanilla flavoring. However, this single fold variety is organic, and the double fold is not. I thought this vanilla was pretty mild and had a slight aftertaste by itself.
In baked goods, I couldn’t tell a significant difference between this and the Bourbon vanilla extract. I could tell a difference between the single fold and the double fold flavorings, though. If both are available, I’d recommend the double fold with vanilla beans over this one every time.
How to Use Alcohol-Free Vanilla
Use alcohol-free vanilla flavoring in baked goods especially, just like you would vanilla extract. You can still use this product in unbaked goods, but you won’t have quite as strong of a flavor compared to vanilla beans, vanilla bean paste, or double fold vanilla.
Trader Joe’s Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste
This 4-oz (113 g) glass jar of Bourbon vanilla bean paste retails for $4.99. Just like the extract, it’s made from Bourbon vanilla beans from the island of Réunion and ethyl alcohol, not whiskey. Interestingly, the paste is not certified organic, even though the extract—made with the same vanilla beans—is.
Much like the extract, the Bourbon vanilla bean paste has a mildly oaky undernote. With only xanthan gum as a thickener, the paste acts more like a syrup: It’s thinner and more elastic than other pastes on the market. This makes quickly pouring a dollop into your whipped cream or yogurt a little messy, as long strings of paste can hang onto your spoon or the side of the jar.
There also appear to be fewer vanilla beans per teaspoon than others on the market (even compared to TJ’s organic vanilla bean paste). That combined with the lighter color of the syrup results in a fairly mild vanilla flavor. That’s a good thing if you don’t want to change the color of your buttercream too much and also likely why it’s so affordable. There’s still good flavor, but it’s not overwhelming or overpowering by any means.
How to Use Trader Joe’s Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste
Like most vanilla bean pastes, you want to be able to taste the nuances of the vanilla. To best do that, you’ll want to use Trader Joe’s Bourbon vanilla bean paste in unbaked goods. Think frostings, ice cream, custards, whipped cream, and marshmallows, where you want a strong vanilla flavor and can actually see the vanilla beans in every bite.
Some vanilla-forward baked goods, like mini turtle cheesecakes, a custardy buttercream, birthday cake macarons, or even a mini vanilla confetti cake, will still allow vanilla bean paste to shine!
Check The Bottom of Your Jar!
While starting to take photos for this post, I noticed that the contents at the bottom of my second jar of Bourbon vanilla bean paste had crystallized. After opening, some crystallization on the rim of the jar is normal. Crystallization on the inside of the jar (especially when unopened!) is not.
I didn’t want to take an unnecessary risk, so I didn’t use it. I exchanged it for a new, non-crystallized jar the next time I went to Trader Joe’s. If your nearest Trader Joe’s is a bit of a commute, I’d recommend a quick check of the bottom to be safe.
Trader Joe’s Organic Vanilla Bean Paste
The 2-oz (59 ml) plastic bottle of organic vanilla bean paste used to retail for $4.99. It was sold only during the holidays, but it has not yet made an appearance in fall 2024.
This vanilla bean paste has a strong and sweet vanilla flavor, and it was my favorite vanilla from Trader Joe’s by far! It’s made with vanilla grown and harvested on Madagascar, right next to Réunion.
The paste is dark, thick, and loaded with vanilla beans and flavor. It’s twice as expensive as the Bourbon vanilla bean paste, but it has a much stronger flavor. It’s also far easier to pour right out of the bottle (so you don’t waste any of it in measuring spoons!). Because of that, this paste will darken your buttercream slightly.
How to Use Trader Joe’s Organic Vanilla Bean Paste
Like I mentioned above, vanilla bean paste is best used in unbaked goods. Light-colored buttercreams and custards will allow you to both taste the stronger vanilla flavor and see the beans. This paste will definitely darken your buttercream and add specks, so keep that in mind if you are decorating with it!
My absolute favorite recipe with Trader Joe’s vanilla bean paste is homemade French vanilla ice cream. (It uses a full Tablespoon!) Other honorable mentions include vanilla macarons and vanilla whipped cream.
I sometimes break the “best in unbaked goods” rule and add the vanilla bean paste to my mini cheesecakes. Cheesecakes are really rich, and you can still taste and see the difference in some of them, especially with my mini Biscoff cheesecakes.
Crystallization on the Lid is Normal!
After opening your vanilla bean paste, it’s normal for the sugar to crystallize around the screw-top portion of the jar. It’s especially common if you routinely pour the extract out of the bottle rather than dipping a teaspoon into it. That’s really my only complaint for this organic vanilla bean paste.
Which Trader Joe’s Vanilla Is Best?
When I wrote this originally, my favorite vanilla from Trader Joe’s was their organic vanilla bean paste. I loved the sweet and prominent vanilla flavor over the oakier Bourbon vanilla bean paste.
However, seeing that the organic vanilla bean paste is no longer available… My new favorite is the double fold Bourbon vanilla extract. I have never had such a strong vanilla flavor in my baked goods before, and I can’t wait to test more recipes with it!
To get the most out of this release, I plan to buy a few more bottles of the double fold vanilla and more vanilla beans. In addition to praying that they bring back the organic vanilla bean paste, of course.
Are you a baker like me with similarly strong opinions on vanilla extract? Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and feel free to pin this article for easy reference!
thanks for this comparison. I’ll be getting some double fold vanilla next time. I really liked the organic VB paste and still have 1 bottle left. It has way more flavor than their new paste. one of my open bottles crystallized pretty terribly, so my new hack is to mix 1 of those into their new VB paste. boosts the flavor tremendously and won’t crystallize. I’ll probably end up making my own paste after I run out of the organic one! Neilson massey paste is delicious but too pricey.
Oh, that’s a great idea to mix the two, Kari! I’m glad this article was helpful for you. Thanks for leaving a comment 🙂