Now, we all love a nice vanilla cake. It’s a timeless classic that is fairly easy to bake and which can complement a wide range of flavors well. But, let’s be honest, vanilla cakes can sometimes get a but boring especially when it’s your go-to bake. At least for me, sometimes I want some more exciting flavors!
There are actually a lot of things you can do to make your vanilla cakes more exciting as you will see below…
1. Tres Leches Turnover
Remember that dreamy, ultra-moist Tres leche cake that makes you drool just thinking about it? It’s hands down my favorite cake to make. Once your vanilla cake is baked, pour a concoction of evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream (or coconut milk for a tropical twist!) over the cake and let it soak up all the creamy goodness. It’ll be the richest most satisfying vanilla cake of your life!
2. Fruity Fillings
Vanilla cake is great because it goes with just about anything, so a really good way to spice it up, so to speak, is to cut it in half and add some apricot jam or strawberry jelly, or maybe even some fresh cream and winter berries. Adding fruit will add a sharp, sweetness that will ensure your next bake is way more complex in flavor.
3. Nutty Companions
If you’re nuts about nuts (see what I did there?), then go ahead and fold in some chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds into your vanilla cake batter. They add a delightful crunch and richness, making every bite an adventure, and their earthiness complements the sweetness of the vanilla in a unique and satisfying way.
4. Spiced & Everything Nice
Who said vanilla cakes only get to play with… vanilla? You can spice things up significantly if you experiment with adding things like cinnamon, cardamom, or even a dash of nutmeg into your basic bakes. Add a bit of spice and your tastebuds will thank you!
5. Zesty Affair
Spice up your plain ol’ vanilla cake by throwing in a splash of orange, lemon, or even lime zest. Boom! Your cake just got a burst of zesty goodness that’ll make everyone go wild! Get ready for a flavor explosion. It’s time to get zesty in the kitchen!
6. Floral Flair
For the sophisticated palates out there, why not infuse your cake batter with edible floral essences like rose or lavender? Vanilla sweetness goes perfectly with the delicate floral flavors. And you can even add a flourish of edible flowers for decoration!
Bonus tip: Take inspiration from other recipes
One of the best things about cooking and baking is that there is always scope to be creative. Even if you have favorite recipes, you don’t have to stick to the same formula every time. With a vanilla cake, you can be as bold or traditional as you like, taking inspiration from different recipes to include new ingredients or experimenting with different cooking techniques. From a twist based on an indulgent Billy Miner Pie recipe to exotic fruity flavors inspired by far-flung travels, it’s fun to explore a different approach. Search online for recipes, read books, join online foodie communities or ask friends or family members who like to bake to share ideas. It’s also a great idea to get suggestions from TV cooking and baking shows and to use your own experiences, for example, vacations or dining out at restaurants.
Vanilla cakes are basically the perfect blank canvases of the baking world; it is really easy to up the interest factor significantly when you are baking them and get creative. So next time you plan to cook up a storm of the vanilla kind, why not try one of these hacks to make your baking even better?
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