Last year I attended a doughnut making class, The Classic American Doughnut Shop class at The Pantry at Delancey in Seattle, WA. Our teacher mentioned that night that she only bakes with vanilla beans because there is simply nothing better when it comes to taste. Now, I don’t know about you but I don’t always have vanilla beans on hand.
And let’s be honest here, it’s easier and more convenient to have vanilla extract. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor or taste.
I’m here to tell you about 
Gotta love that.
So what’s so special about Lágrima? They believe vanilla extract can be a beautiful conversation piece, not just an ingredient. At Lágrima, they believe you should only put pure, whole foods into your body. As the creators of a premium artisan vanilla extract, Lágrima brings you the ultimate vanilla experience, from the field to your table.
I really want to encourage anyone who cooks or bakes with vanilla extract to try Lágrima. You can purchase Lágrima 
Now, when I first tried this delicious pure vanilla extract, I baked cookies. Then, brownies, banana bread, sticky buns, a bundt cake. . and more cookies. I’ve basically been using this vanilla since the end of September, when I was first introduced to Lágrima.
So, for today, I wanted to make something else. Something special. Something a little festive. So, I made this.
Chocolate Cream Pie. The only thing that’s baked here is the crust. This is a biscoff cookie crust. Absolutely divine. Oh so good.
Once you have the crust made and baking in the oven, you can start on the filling. Over medium heat, simply whisk together sugar, cornstarch, salt, and egg yolks until well combined. Then you slowly add in milk, whisking. Bring the whole thing to a boil, still whisking, then reduce the heat and simmer, whisking some more for about a minute. The filling will be thick.
Then, some more magic happens. You whisk in chocolate, butter, and your Lágrima vanilla.
You have to allow this to cool completely, for about 2 -3 hours. And then you pour it into your crust and chill the pie. . for . . don’t hate me. . at least 6 hours or overnight.
But it’s worth it.
Because Christmas is next week and we had candy canes, I added some on top. My daughters went crazy. . “Ah, candy canes!!”
Needless to say, this chocolate cream pie was absolutely delicious! I hope this one makes her way into your life soon. Enjoy!
Chocolate Cream Pie
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 package Biscoff cookies; about 32-36 cookies
- 1 stick unsalted butter melted
For the filling:
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 large egg yolks
- 3 cups whole milk
- 8 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate; chopped finely
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 1 teaspoon Lágrima vanilla
For the topping:
- 2 cups chilled heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- chocolate shavings or chocolate sprinkles
Instructions
For the crust:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Using your food processor, pulse together the cookies and melted butter until it resembles wet sand. Press the crumb mixture on the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Bake until crisp, for about 10-15 minutes, and cool on a rack.
For the filling:
- Over medium heat, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, salt, and yolks in a 3-quart heavy saucepan until well combined. Then slowly add in the milk, whisking. Bring to a boil over moderate heat, still whisking, then reduce heat and simmer, whisking some more for about 1 minute (filling will be thick).
- If you're up for this: Force filling through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, then whisk in chocolate, butter, and vanilla. Cover and allow to cool completely, for about 2 hours. Spoon filling into your baked crust and chill the pie, loosely covered, for at least 6 hours.
For the topping:
- Using your stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the cold heavy cream with the sugar until it just holds stiff peaks, after 3-4 minutes. Spread on top of the chocolate pie, sprinkle on chocolate shavings or chocolate sprinkles and serve.
Recipe from 
THE GIVEAWAY
(open to residents within the United States only)
Good luck! You want to win this vanilla!
Disclosure: Lágrima provided the same pure vanilla extract for recipe development and review purposes. All opinions expressed here are 100% my own.
I like to put vanilla in my coffee.
I use vanilla with topo chico (mineral water). It’s so good!
Gorgeous pie Alice, and one that’s been on my list forever! Love the name of the vanilla extract, it means ‘teardrop’ in spanish, and it even has the accent.
Hi Paula! yes!!! I probably should have put a little more of Lagrima’s back story. . but here it is: http://lagrima.com/pages/about . . I also love the name!!
I like to use extra vanilla in cookies…yum!
Decadence at its best.
I love the taste and flavor of vanilla in my baking. I have a recipe for zucchini bread that I must must put vanilla in .
Pretty pie! I would use some of the vanilla for fresh whipped cream for homemade pancakes and also for cookies. Love the label design too.
I like using vanilla in all sorts of baking, and I also like adding it to eggy French toast batter!
I use real vanilla in all my baking – love to use vanilla in my homemade pudding
Vanilla in my coffee daily. Also homemade ice cream, vanilla is my favorite flavor.
Girl, this is a feast for the stomach and for the eyes. Your chocolate cream pie is truly a masterpiece! I love the festive touch the crushed candy cane gives it. As soon as my kitchen is set up, I’m baking and eating this baby all by myself!
Vanilla Bean cupcakes and Vanilla Bean Frosting!
I use vanilla in my cheesecakes so yummy
I like to put a little vanilla on my vanilla ice cream I bet this would be super good.
I love making vanilla ice cream for my husband. But really, I use vanilla in just about all my baking!
I love to make vanilla bean marshmallows!
In French Toast! MMM!!
I’m loving vanilla in eggnog lately!
I add a little bit of good vanilla to fresh whipped cream. One of my favorite desserts is fresh fruit with fresh vanilla whipped cream on top!
I like vanilla in granola 🙂
I like to make vanilla buttercream
Yum! I’m very curious about this! I put vanilla in EVERYTHING, so this definitely intrigues me!
I love vanilla and bake with it often–especially when I’m making cookies!
cteeobrien{at}cox[dot]net
Nothing to fancy, just the baked goods.
Lately, it’s been in making fudge. Normally – cookies.
I actually add a little vanilla extract to my limeade. It’s delicious!!
I use it in all my baked goods, plus I like to add a little to plain yogurt.
I love baking with it.
I use vanilla every time I bake! I’ve been thinking about making my own vanilla extract lately (saw a recipe on Pinterest) but this one looks wonderful!
I love to use vanilla in muddy buddies, oatmeal, and cheesecake!
I love using it in a good chocolate chip cookie
I don’t waist any time and want to have that chocolate cream pie now, looks so DELICIOUS, I can’t stand it
haha, thank you!!