Trader Joe's Pure Bourbon Vanilla Extract
On the Bottle: Bourbon Vanilla is a term for vanilla planifolia. Mexico is vanilla's birthplace, but cuttings were taken to other tropical countries beginning in the 1700s. In the 1800s, the French developed large plantations on the Ile de Bourbon, which is how the name Bourbon came into being. Use Trader Joe's Bourbon Vanilla Extract in baked goods when a smooth vanilla flavor is desired.
So what did I make? None other than red velvet cupcakes. As of lately, I love adding a layer of cheesecake to my red velvet cupcakes. I remember when I was first introduced to layering cheesecake with cake. I thought... huh? What? But when I tasted it...wow... just wow! Cheesecake layers honestly pair so well with both red velvet and carrot cake. I never even tried carrot cake until I decided to make it for my mom one Mother's Day, and now it is one of my favorite cakes. Moral of the story: keep your mind open.
Am I really the only one that thought bourbon vanilla actually had bourbon liquor in it? I love to add bourbon to my cream cheese frosting. Such a nice layer of flavor to a red velvet cupcake.
