Vanilla Bean

ProDough's Vanilla Bean, while scoring a respectable seven, isn't exactly a standalone triumph. The vanilla itself is pleasant enough, but without intervention, you're left with a somewhat icy texture that reminds one more of a budget sorbet than a creamy ice cream. More perplexing, however, is the elusive, coconut-like off-flavor that lingers on the palate. It's not listed in the ingredients, yet it's undeniably present, adding an unexpected tropical note that clashes rather than complements the vanilla.

Frankly, this powder demands a crutch. Its true potential only emerges when paired with something substantial, something that can mask its inherent flaws. The notes explicitly state that the addition of Oreos transforms this into a far more palatable experience. The cookies likely provide the necessary bulk and flavor to overpower the off-notes and rectify the textural shortcomings, lifting it from a mediocre base to something genuinely enjoyable. Without such a robust addition, ProDough Vanilla Bean remains a powder that merely exists, rather than excels.