- 1/2 vanilla bean (halved crosswise), halved lengthwise, or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup chilled heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Calvados or other apple brandy
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- Scrape seeds from bean with tip of a knife into a bowl (reserve pod for another use). Add remaining ingredients and beat with a mixer until cream just holds soft peaks.