Some of you may want to use a real vanilla bean instead of vanilla extract. Doing so adds a more complex flavor and the little tiny vanilla seeds look really nice.
Vanilla beans are quite expensive, but I buy them for a fair price at Costco. Amazon sells them too. But as of today, they are still about $2-3 a piece or more.
With it being so expensive, you really want to get all the seeds out of it. Simply cut the top layer along its length. Then open it up so it lays flat on your work surface. Use your knife to gently scrape along that flat surface from one end to the other. Bingo! All done.
As a bonus, you can throw the used bean into a pot you are cooking vanilla in (eg custard) for even more flavor. Just remove it before finishing your creation.
I use vanilla seeds for adding into mousses and other pastry creams, but also for Pandoro and sweet breads. Try it once and you’ll have a hard time going back to extracts.