Vanilla Bean

Whether you own a baking business or you are making cupcakes for a friend, Vanilla Bean is one of the best places in Madison to find everything you need. Their selection is better than any big box store (including the nearby Joann) and they have the boxes/packing for all your needs.I started my baking company a year ago and Vanilla Bean has been everything I wanted and needed. They keep a stock for all the upcoming holidays and have a wall of cookie cutters of everything you could possibly imagine. Then they have cake and cupcake toppers and plastic characters for parties and milestones also ok that wall. They have a huge selection of flavors and food coloring -- both are highest quality. Their gel colors have been my saving grace! Also, all of their tools, accessories, little things you can use are available. It makes this an awesome place to explore for any baking enthusiast. When I was in the State fair, Vanilla Bean had the cake dummies (styrofoam) I needed and at cheaper prices than Joann or online. They also have all the boxes and cake rounds for the bases that you could need. They also have pans for shaped cakes and characters.It's one of my favorite places in Madison -- go visit!

Usually, I like Vanilla Bean as they have a large variety of products. I called to inquire if they carry hot chocolate bomb molds. I was informed, yes - but due to high demand they are limiting to one per CUSTOMER. Great - no problem. My mother-in-law drove over and purchased one and the clerk informed her it was one per FAMILY. I met her there in order to purchase one for myself. The clerk then changed her mind and said one per GROUP and demanded my name to write in a book as they are tracking purchases of the molds. We don't even live in the same house. I'm very DISAPPOINTED and won't be going back anytime soon.I have no problem with the limit. It is the manner in which the "rules" constantly changed and the tone in which it was conveyed. Also, you can purchase the same item as 2-pack of molds for $6 on amazon versus $8.95 each at Vanilla Bean.

I can honestly say that this store is great and has everything/anything you would need for baking on any level! I'm just starting out, but the people in here know their stuff and have been super helpful with questions and inquiries. Now I'm thinking that I can't live without it, but I guess I don't have to. It's also close to home. Win-win!!

I really like this store! I have purchased several unique baking items at Vanilla Bean that I haven't been able to find at the grocery store, craft stores or Amazon. Because I've now found so many unique items at Vanilla Bean, I now only purchase baking-type items at Vanilla Bean. I don't even look at other retailers. Vanilla Bean is my go-to place for purchasing cellophane treat bags and foldable treat boxes. Because my parents and most relatives live outside of Wisconsin, I do lots of baking for their birthdays and for Christmas and ship them treats. The bags and boxes at Vanilla Bean are perfect for packaging up my treats. I've also purchased some unique colors of food coloring as well as melting chocolates at Vanilla Bean.The staff people are always helpful and know the answers to my questions. The credit card machine at Vanilla Bean is a little slow, so you won't have the speediest transaction at the register. But you're buying sprinkles, so you're in a good mood. I recommend Vanilla Bean for anything and everything you might need baking!

We visited in mid-February 2021. Half empty shelves. No effort whatsoever to limit the number of people allowed inside the store to shop at one time, never mind any encouragement for customers to socially distance in the store's narrow aisles. This is a store design that screams for one way only aisles. Clearly unhappy, bordering on surly, cashier. The pandemic has hit this formerly beloved store hard, and they aren't rolling with the punches as they could and should be. We found about half of the things we went in for, and left feeling very stressed out by the whole experience. Very sad to have to give a much lower rating than usual. The bright spot was the high school age girl who was very smiling, friendly, and earnestly trying her best to get us what we needed, but unfortunately also seemingly unaware that unrelated people cannot stand right next to each other during a pandemic. Felt so bad for her. I hope she stays well. I won't shop in the store again until the danger has well passed.

Love this place. I took a few advanced decorating classes and they were well taught. It is a bit on the expensive side but they have a good selection of cake decorating supplies.

The Vanilla Bean now carries high quality gel paste colors! They are called Americolor and provide more vibrant and "true" color shades than the Wilton ones. They also now have Sugar Art brand petal and luster dusts!I'm so excited by this and I don't even live in Madison :) Happy cake decorating!

The selection is incredible - I've yet to leave empty-handed, no matter how esoteric my search. They cram an unbelievable amount of inventory into a very small space, so the layout of the store takes some getting used to. Pricing is reasonable, slightly more than on-line sources, but a good value considering the expertise of the staff. They also have a decent selection of kitchen gadgets, though not to the level of Orange Tree Imports or the Kitchen Gallery.While the staff members are not over-the-top friendly, they are incredibly knowledgeable. I also like the fact that they will let my daughter and I browse freely when we have the time to explore. The store also offers a variety of baking and cake decorating classes for all skill levels.Finding a parking spot in front of the store is a breeze, but navigating the congested Odana Road corridor to get to the store - not so much fun.If you are in need of baking supplies, I encourage you to check out the Vanilla Bean.

Great service and products for over Twenty five years!!! Jane,Cindy( no longer there),Joycethey are all awesome.They will help you bring your cake/dessert vision to life!!!

Vanilla Bean is a nice store, with plenty of hard-to-find (in Madison) products and helpful people. But you should know that they DO NOT stand behind their merchandise. I wanted to return two of the same item and, though the clerk and manager agreed that the items were poorly made, they suggested I call the manufacturer. Sure, I think I'll do that. i can't afford that kind of waste and I will be shopping somewhere else now.