LEXINGTON BAKES & Nielsen-Massey Vanillas

Meet Nielsen-Massey: Our Vanilla Partner

Our ingredient standards are simple. Real, Organic, & Fair.

When sourcing ingredients for our luxury cookies and brownies, we thoroughly evaluate ingredient partners’ standards, ethics, and commitment to people and the planet to ensure they align with our mission and values.

At LEXINGTON BAKES, we value ingredients that contribute depth, warmth, and character to our creations. Few flavors can accomplish this quite like vanilla, and that’s why we’ve chosen Nielsen-Massey Vanillas as our vanilla partner. With over a century of experience and a steadfast dedication to quality, sustainability, and flavor purity, Nielsen-Massey represents the very best of what vanilla can offer.

A Family Legacy of Flavor

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has been crafting fine vanilla extracts since 1907, when the Nielsen family first began exploring the nuances of this exotic bean. Over generations, their meticulous approach to selection, extraction, and quality control has earned them a global reputation among professional bakers, chefs, and home cooks alike. Instead of treating vanilla as a simple sweetener, Nielsen-Massey celebrates its complexity, capturing subtle floral notes, warm undertones, and creamy richness that transform ordinary recipes into extraordinary treats.

For LEXINGTON BAKES, that means infusing our cookies and brownies with a vanilla that’s as thoughtfully produced as it is delicious—one that adds more than just flavor, but also a sense of tradition and artistry to every bite.

Sustainability at the Source

High-quality vanilla starts at the source—the farms where vanilla orchids bloom and careful curing methods transform green pods into aromatic beans. Nielsen-Massey actively supports these communities and cultivators, seeking long-term relationships that emphasize fair pricing and sustainable agricultural practices. Their goal is to help preserve the future of vanilla farming, ensuring that farmers receive the support and resources needed to protect their crops from climate challenges and market fluctuations.

This alignment with farmers and their local environments resonates with our core values at LEXINGTON BAKES. By choosing a vanilla partner who invests in the well-being of producers and ecosystems, we’re ensuring that our desserts not only taste fantastic but also reflect a conscious, community-driven approach to sourcing.

Pure Extraction, Authentic Flavor

Nielsen-Massey’s proprietary cold-extraction process sets them apart in the world of vanilla. Instead of relying on high heat, which can degrade delicate flavor compounds, they gently coax out the bean’s full range of subtleties over time. This method preserves the complexity of the vanilla, allowing it to bloom fully in our baked goods. The result is a depth of flavor that’s both comforting and intriguing, with notes that complement chocolate, nuts, fruits, and more.

In our cookies and brownies, Nielsen-Massey vanilla lends a smooth, lingering sweetness that elevates each ingredient it touches. Whether it’s a classic chocolate chip cookie or a decadent brownie swirl, the presence of genuine vanilla can transform the ordinary into something truly memorable.

A Culture of Responsibility

Nielsen-Massey is a company that understands the broader implications of its work. As a B Corp™ Certified organization, they undergo rigorous, transparent assessments of their social and environmental impact. From advocating responsible sourcing practices to supporting global nonprofits, their commitment extends well beyond the flavor wheel. They invest in the communities where their vanilla is grown and champion positive change in the industry, uplifting people and nurturing the land on which their crops rely.

At LEXINGTON BAKES, we appreciate how Nielsen-Massey’s values mirror our own ethos of Real, Organic, & Fair. By aligning ourselves with partners who exemplify responsible business practices, we can confidently serve desserts that not only delight the palate but honor the planet and its diverse communities.

Sweet, Subtle, and Soulful

In every cookie and brownie we bake, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas offers a note of gentleness, a calm complexity that makes you slow down and savor the moment. It’s the kind of flavor that reminds you just how far a single bean can travel, from a tropical farm halfway around the world to your plate, bringing with it stories of careful cultivation and passionate craftsmanship.

This is the essence of what we do at LEXINGTON BAKES: transforming simple ingredients into meaningful culinary experiences. With Nielsen-Massey Vanillas as our vanilla partner, we’re ensuring that every dessert we create is rooted in integrity, tradition, and a love for the sweetness that unites us all.