Last year, I found the greatest line of vanilla, available from Nielsen-Massey.  I had no idea that a specific brand really made that big of a difference, but I tell you, I love their products.  I have become a devout user of their vanillas--available in all varieties.  I love their vanilla bean paste, it is unbelievable! 

I got to try out something new this fall, the Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Powder.  I had never tried a vanilla powder before, but it is really great.  So easy to mix into everything, including  dry mixes, drinks, fruits and food that is color sensitive.  It is so great!

One very lucky Macaroni Kid reader is going to win a 2.5 ounce jar of Nielsen-Massey's Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Powder! To enter, email me at maryannj@macaronikid.com with Vanilla in the subject line.  Tell me why you want to win it!  MUST be a NW Jersey Macaroni Kid subscriber to be eligible to enter.  Winner will be picked at random on or about October 3, 2011, at which time this giveaway will be closed.  Good luck!

In the meantime, here is a perfect recipe for fall, courtesy of Nielsen-Massey, using my favorite Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste!

Vanilla Cinnamon Apples

Serves 4

4 baking apples
3 tbsp. butter
¾ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 tsp. Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste
1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. allspice
1 tbsp. brandy
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup walnuts
Pinch of salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat the bottom of a shallow baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cut a thin slice from the bottom of each apple so it will stand upright. Scoop out the core of each apple from the top down with the small end of a melon ball cutter, making sure not to core all the way through the apple.

Combine the butter, brown sugar and vanilla paste in a medium saucepan and cook over low heat until the butter is melted, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and stir in the cinnamon, allspice, brandy, raisins, walnuts and salt. Fill the apples with equal amounts of the filling using a teaspoon. Place the apples in the prepared baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes or until caramelized and fork tender.