We all need to admit the fact that vanilla walked so other flavors could run. Think about it, could you have chocolate, strawberry, or even rocky road without that delicious, vanilla base? And some flavor purists prefer just vanilla, indulging in its sweet, creamy notes without the need for other flavors muddying up the profile. For those people, we created this guide to our all-time favorite vanilla cannabis strains. 

These strains all have a few things in common: their sweet, confectionery flavors are both unexpected and utterly indulgent to enjoy. Some of them can lean extra sweet, like frosting, while others are much more like a cake or cookie. Even if vanilla isn’t your favorite flavor, you can still appreciate just how yummy these strains are to consume. 
 

You might be wondering just how cannabis, a notoriously “stinky” plant, can taste or smell as good as birthday cake. The science behind it is actually quite interesting, and it involves the marijuana plant’s terpenes. Terpenes, contained in the plant’s trichomes, are the compounds that give cannabis its unique flavor and aroma profile. These unique profiles are prized by both growers and cannabis connoisseurs and are one of the many reasons why certain plants are bred with others.

Learn more about cannabis plant anatomy with our guide, What are Trichomes?  

So which strains are the best? In no particular order, these are the vanilla cannabis strains we always keep in our personal stock to ensure we have that creamy, sugary goodness ready when we feel a flavor craving:

Indica-Dominant Hybrid

Remember how we mentioned that growers will pair certain plants to create yummy new strains? Ice Cream Cake is a perfect example of this—it was created when Gelato 33 was crossed with Wedding Cake. Ice Cream Cake is for fans of sweet, cream cheese frosting with nutty undertones reminiscent of the many layers of the confection its named after. It leans more toward indica at 75%, and it can contain up to 25% THC, making it a strain for more advanced cannabis consumers. 

Indica-Dominant Hybrid

Vanilla Kush hails from one of the most popular landraces: Afghani aka Afghani Kush, making it unique and highly coveted. This strain boasts up to 20% THC levels, and it contains low levels of CBD, which may create a more balanced experience. It also has subtle lavender undertones, creating an almost gourmet-like experience for those interested in complex flavor profiles. 

Indica-Dominant Hybrid

There are some strains out there where you question how they got their name—this is not one of those. Vanilla Frosting tastes almost exactly like its namesake, but don’t let that fool you into overindulging. This strain has a whopping 25% THC in it (and some people believe that’s the bottom of its THC levels), so you should definitely be careful not to over indulge. 

Indica-Dominant Hybrid

If you’re a fan of confetti cake, then this is a great strain for you. Sure, it’s got those vanilla notes you’re expecting, but there’s just a little bit of fruity, nutty flavor. Birthday Cake Kush owes that flavor—and maybe its THC potency of 24%—to its parents: Girl Scout Cookies and Cherry Pie.

Indica-Dominant Hybrid

Who doesn’t like to dip cookies in their favorite type of milk? This strain embodies that universal enjoyment with its creamy, nutty flavor that’s both sweet with the tiniest hint of spice, too. Not only is this indica dominant (70%) strain delicious, Milk & Cookies packs a punch at 20% THC potency, so be sure to start slow and go easy when consuming it.  

Wondering 'What is THC'? We have a guide for that too!

If you’re looking to scratch that vanilla itch, these strains are all a great place to start. Be sure to visit your local dispensary and show their cannabis experts this list. They may be able to find all five, and then the hardest part will be choosing which cannabis products to bring home.