The holiday season is upon us, and kitchens everywhere are gearing up for that special time of year when baking becomes a cherished tradition. Moms, especially, find joy in filling their homes with the warm aroma of delightful desserts that bring family and friends together. At Maison Vanilla, we have just the right ingredient to elevate your holiday treats: high-quality Indonesian vanilla beans. 

These beans, enriched by Indonesia's lush tropical climate, infuse desserts with a uniquely aromatic depth, transforming even the simplest of recipes into luxurious delights. We’re thrilled to share some irresistible holiday desserts featuring our exceptional Planifolia Vanilla Beans that moms and everyone else are sure to love.

Holiday Dessert Recipes with Maison Vanilla Beans

In this section, we invite you to explore our curated list of holiday dessert recipes that will surely be the highlight of your festive gatherings.

1. Classic Vanilla Sugar Cookies

These cookies are a staple for the holidays. Using our Planifolia Vanilla Beans Gourmet Grade, you can achieve a heightened level of flavor. The infusion of vanilla bean seeds elevates the humble sugar cookie to gourmet status.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 Indonesian vanilla bean, seeds scraped
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the egg, vanilla seeds, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture until a dough forms.
6. Roll out the dough, cut into shapes, bake for 8-10 minutes, and allow to cool.

2. Vanilla Cheesecake

For a show-stopping dessert, this rich and creamy cheesecake uses our Vanilla Beans to perfection.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/4 cups white sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 Indonesian vanilla beans, seeds scraped

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Combine crumbs, sugar, and butter. Press into a springform pan.
3. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, then sour cream, heavy cream, and vanilla seeds.
4. Pour over crust and bake for about 1 hour.
5. Turn off oven, crack the door, and let cheesecake cool in the oven for 1 hour before chilling.

3. Vanilla Yule Log

A festive tradition, this dessert is a light, fluffy homage to vanilla's elegance.

Ingredients:

For the Sponge Cake:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 Indonesian vanilla bean, seeds scraped

For the Filling:

• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• Seeds from 1 Indonesian vanilla bean

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
2. Whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt together.
3. Beat eggs and sugar until thick. Fold in vanilla seeds and extract.
4. Incorporate dry mixture gently and pour into the prepared pan.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes; then invert onto a towel, rolling up tightly.
6. Whip cream, sugar, and vanilla seeds for the filling, unroll cake, spread the filling, and roll back.
7. Chill before serving.

4. Vanilla Bean Eggnog

Elevate your traditional eggnog with the deep, rich flavor of Indonesian vanilla.

Ingredients:

• 6 large eggs
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup Bourbon, optional
• 1 Indonesian vanilla bean, scraped seeds
• Fresh nutmeg for topping

Instructions:

1. Beat eggs until light in color. Gradually add sugar until dissolved.
2. Stir in milk, cream, bourbon, and vanilla seeds.
3. Chill for several hours; serve with grated nutmeg.

5. Vanilla Custard Tart

Rich, creamy, and lush, this custard tart is simplicity at its most indulgent.

Ingredients:

• Pastry for a 9-inch tart shell
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2/3 cup whole milk
• Seeds from 1 Indonesian vanilla bean

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the pastry shell and blind bake until golden.
3. Whisk yolks and sugar until pale. Heat milk, cream, and vanilla seeds until steaming.
4. Gradually whisk into the yolk mixture, return to the pan, thicken over gentle heat.
5. Pour into the tart shell, bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool before slicing.

6. Vanilla Macarons

French elegance with an Indonesian twist; these macarons are a labour of love.

Ingredients:

• 200g powdered sugar
• 100g almond flour
• 120g egg whites (about 4 large eggs)
• 30g granulated sugar
• Seeds from 1 Indonesian vanilla bean

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Sift together powdered sugar and almond flour.
3. Beat egg whites until frothy; add granulated sugar and vanilla seeds. Beat until stiff.
4. Fold in dry ingredients gently; pipe onto parchment-lined sheets.
5. Rest for an hour, bake 18-20 minutes. Cool before removing.

7. Spiced Vanilla Gingerbread

Indonesian vanilla adds warmth to the spices of traditional gingerbread.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 Indonesian vanilla bean, seeds scraped
• 1 egg

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix dry ingredients. Beat butter and sugar, add molasses, vanilla seeds, and egg.
3. Gradually incorporate dry mixture.
4. Roll, cut out, and bake for 8-10 minutes.

8. Creamy Vanilla Panna Cotta

This Italian treat is made dreamy with our vanilla beans.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 Indonesian vanilla bean, seeds scraped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons gelatin
• 3 tablespoons cold water

Instructions:

1. Heat cream, sugar, and vanilla until sugar dissolves.
2. Soften gelatin in water, then stir into the warm cream until dissolved.
3. Pour into molds, chill until set.

9. Vanilla Bread Pudding

A comforting classic, made even better with the sophisticated touch of vanilla.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups cubed brioche or challah
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• Seeds from 1 Indonesian vanilla bean

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Arrange the bread cubes in a baking dish.
3. Mix milk, cream, eggs, sugar, and vanilla seeds.
4. Pour over the bread, pressing gently.
5. Bake 40-45 minutes until custardy and golden.

10. Homemade Vanilla Marshmallows

Perfect for hot chocolate or gifting, these marshmallows are fluff epitomized.

Ingredients:

• 3 packs gelatin
• 1 cup cold water, divided
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• Seeds from 1 Indonesian vanilla bean
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

1. Dissolve gelatin in 1/2 cup water.
2. Heat sugar, corn syrup, and remaining water to 240°F.
3. Combine with gelatin, beat until thick. Add vanilla seeds.
4. Pour into an oiled pan, dust with sugar, set overnight.
5. Slice and dust again before serving.

These desserts, featuring our Planifolia Vanilla Beans, bring together tradition and novelty for a holiday spread that’s sure to impress. As you embark on this culinary adventure, remember that each recipe is more than just a delicious treat; it’s a connection to the rich tradition of vanilla cultivation in Indonesia, crafted with care and sustainability. We invite you to explore our full catalog and see how Maison Vanilla can sweeten your festive season.

Happy Baking from all of us at Maison Vanilla!