Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Bean Paste...Featuring Vanilla-Scented Apple Cobbler with Vanilla Bean Hard Sauce #vanillabean #apple #baking

I'm the first to admit that I don't bake a lot. But when I do? I make sure to use the very best ingredients I can get my hands on -- including Nielsen-Massey's amazing vanilla products! For my family's Mother's Day celebration last weekend, I baked a fabulous apple cobbler featuring Nilsen-Massey's Tahitian Pure Vanilla Bean Paste. Tahiti is a South Pacific island in French Polynesia...the island's tropical climate makes it ideal for growing vanilla. Vanilla bean paste is an ingredient that every cook should keep on hand at all times! It provides intense vanilla flavor...with tons of vanilla bean seeds. As an added bonus, the paste has a consistency similar to molasses, so it won't thin out your batters or fillings!

This was my first time to use Tahitian Pure Vanilla Bean Paste, and I loved its delicate flavor. It has a floral/fruity flavor profile that pairs perfectly with fruit desserts -- like my homey Vanilla-Scented Apple Cobbler with Vanilla Bean Hard Sauce! This delicious southern-inspired cobbler features Tahitian Pure Vanilla Bean Paste in the apple filling, cobbler topping, and the simple three-ingredient hard sauce that tops each serving. This recipe received a unanimous thumbs up from everyone who tasted it over the weekend...meaning this recipe's a keeper!

Vanilla-Scented Apple Cobbler with Vanilla Bean Hard Sauce

adapted from My Recipes & Oxmoor House

Ingredients (makes six servings):

For the cobbler:

• 3 baking apples peeled, cored, and chopped (approx. 6-7 cups chopped apples) [NOTE: I used one Envy, one Gala, and one Golden Delicious]
• 1 tbs. + 1 tbs. Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Bean Paste
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup + 3/4 cup AP flour
• 2 tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tbs. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 stick salted butter, melted
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup milk

For the hard sauce:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 stick salted butter, softened
• 1 tbs. Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Bean Paste

Directions:

Step 1: Add the chopped apples, brown sugar, 1/4 cup flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg to a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine and set aside.

Step 2: Add the remaining 3/4 cup flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, and salt to a small bowl. Add the milk and the Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Bean Paste to a measuring cup, whisking to combine. Add the vanilla-milk mixture to the flour mixture and whisk until a thick, uniform batter forms.

Step 3: Preheat oven to 375°. Add melted butter to the apple mixture and stir to completely combline. Spray a 9x9 baking dish with non-stick spray. Evenly spread the apple mixture in the baking pan. Pour the batter on top of the apples. DO NOT STIR! Place the baking pan on a cookie sheet and bake for 40 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly. For even browning, rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking.

Step 4: While the cobbler bakes, make the hard sauce. Add the softened butter, powdered sugar, and Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Bean Paste to a bowl. Use a hand mixer to beat the ingredients on medium speed for approximately 2 minutes, until the ingredients are blended and fluffy. Transfer the hard sauce to a small serving bowl.

Step 5: To serve, scoop a serving of the warm cobbler onto a small plate. Use a small cookie scoop to place a dollop of the vanilla bean hard sauce on top.

This apple cobbler is over-the-top delicious! The apple mixture features a caramel-like filling and plenty of warm spice and vanilla flavors. The topping is crispy on top and fluffy inside -- with a perfect amount of sweetness and vanilla flavor. The hard sauce takes this dessert truly over the top! Since it contains butter, the hard sauce slowly melts as it sits on top of the warm cobbler. I especially love that black flecks of vanilla bean are clearly visible in this dessert...swoon!

This dessert would be a perfect substitute for apple pie at any upcoming Memorial Day or July 4th parties. It transports well...and the hard sauce can be made a day or two before and stored covered in the refrigerator. If you do make this cobbler? Get ready for the compliments to roll in!!