Vanilla: Boring or the Best? with Claire Saffitz

Vanilla: Boring or the Best? with Claire Saffitz

From Things Bakers Know: The King Arthur Baking Podcast by King Arthur Baking Company

April 13, 2026 · 45 min · Season 3 · Episode 4

About this episode

The episode discusses the merits of vanilla in baking with guest Claire Saffitz, addressing common misconceptions and answering listener questions.

We think vanilla has gotten a bad reputation, so we’re here to correct the record: Vanilla is anything but boring. To prove our point, we invited one of the country’s biggest vanilla fans (and all-around star baker) Claire Saffitz to come on the pod and argue why we should all be giving vanilla its due. Then we answer your baking questions in Ask the Bakers, covering everything from how to substitute different extracts to the real difference between vanilla extract and vanilla paste. J...

People in this episode

Guest: Claire Saffitz

Topics covered

  • vanilla
  • baking
  • extracts
  • cooking

Keywords

  • vanilla extract
  • vanilla paste
  • baking questions

Mentioned in this episode

Products: vanilla extract, vanilla paste

Books & works: Ask the Bakers

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