What is the difference between French vanilla and regular vanilla?

French vanilla refers not to the type of bean, but the preparation style. It originates from French-style ice cream, where egg yolks are added to create a custard base. When used in baking, “French vanilla” typically means a richer, creamier vanilla flavor—often achieved with vanilla sugar, vanilla bean seeds, or concentrated vanilla extracts.

How to enhance vanilla flavor in cookies?

To intensify the vanilla flavor in your cookies, try using real vanilla beans or vanilla bean paste in addition to extract. For an extra touch, make your own vanilla sugar by storing spent vanilla pods in granulated sugar—it adds subtle depth. Chilling the cookie dough overnight in the fridge also allows the vanilla to develop more fully as the flavors come together and mature.

What are those little French cookies called?

France is known for delicate cookies like madeleines, sablés, and macarons. These French vanilla cookies are closest in style to sablés—classic butter cookies with refined ingredients. They blend the richness of French tradition with a simple, home-baked approach.

What are the vanilla cookies in Lunchables?

The vanilla cookies found in Lunchables are simple, processed shortbread-style rounds with a light vanilla taste, often boosted by artificial flavorings. In contrast, these homemade French Vanilla Cookies deliver a deeper, more authentic vanilla flavor—thanks to real butter, vanilla beans, and a home-baked touch that elevates every bite.

French Vanilla Cookies – 7 Steps to Irresistible Soft Cookies

Name: French Vanilla Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 24 cookies
Cuisine: French-inspired
Ingredients: 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, sifted; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ⅔ cup (80 g) icing sugar; 1 sachet (9 g) vanilla sugar; 1 vanilla bean; 1 large egg; 4.4 oz. (125 g) unsalted butter, softened; 1 egg yolk; 1 tablespoon milk; 1 ½ tablespoon (20 g) brown sugar; ½ teaspoon vanilla bean powder

Description

These French vanilla cookies are buttery, tender, and full of rich vanilla flavor from real vanilla bean and vanilla sugar.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, sifted

1 teaspoon baking powder

⅔ cup (80 g) icing sugar

1 sachet (9 g) vanilla sugar

1 vanilla bean

1 large egg

4.4 oz. (125 g) unsalted butter, softened

1 egg yolk

1 tablespoon milk

1 ½ tablespoon (20 g) brown sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla bean powder

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Instructions

1. Heat oven to 355°F (180°C). Line cookie sheets with parchment.

2. Split vanilla bean lengthwise, scrape seeds.

3. Sift flour and baking powder into a large bowl.

4. Make a well, add sugar, vanilla sugar, egg, and seeds.

5. Mix with spatula, then add softened butter and combine by hand.

6. Roll dough between parchment to ¼ inch thick, cut shapes.

7. Brush with egg yolk-milk mixture, sprinkle sugar and vanilla bean powder.

8. Bake for 10 mins. Cool on tray for 10 mins, then wire rack.

Notes

Chill dough briefly if it becomes too soft to handle.

Store in airtight container up to 5 days or freeze.

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Category: Cookies
Method: Baking
Cuisine: French-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 cookies
Calories: 120
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 25mg
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 1.5g
Cholesterol: 25mg