Vanilla bean paste is pure vanilla with natural vanilla bean seeds in a unique, convenient, paste form. Use this paste in any recipe that calls for vanilla extract. Vanilla extract and paste can be used interchangeably along with vanilla beans. Vanilla sugar is NOT a good substitute for any of these ingredients.
We are fans of Nielsen Massey vanilla products because they are high quality and consistently reliable. You can find their products in kitchen shops like Willilams Sonoma and Sur La Table. Some well-stocked grocery stores sell the Nielsen Massey products as does Amazon.com: Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Bean Paste
To replace vanilla bean paste in a recipe: