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vanilla extract

vanilla extract

CondimentsYear-round. Vanilla extract is a shelf-stable processed product derived from cured, dried beans; availability is consistent throughout the year regardless of vanilla bean harvest seasons.

Vanilla extract is used in minimal quantities and provides negligible calories or macronutrients per serving. It contains trace amounts of minerals and antioxidants from vanilla beans but is primarily valued for flavoring rather than nutritional content.

About

Vanilla extract is a liquid flavoring derived from vanilla orchid pods (Vanilla planifolia and related species), native to Mexico. The extraction process involves splitting cured vanilla beans and steeping them in alcohol (typically ethanol) for several months, allowing the flavor compounds—primarily vanillin—to infuse into the liquid. Pure vanilla extract contains at least 35% alcohol by volume and must contain constituents from vanilla beans. Imitation vanilla extract, made from synthetic vanillin, offers similar flavor at a lower cost but lacks the complex aromatic notes of pure extract. The flavor profile ranges from sweet and creamy to slightly floral, with subtle woodsy undertones in quality extracts.

Real vanilla extract's complexity derives from hundreds of volatile compounds present in vanilla beans, not merely vanillin. Different vanilla-producing regions (Madagascar, Tahiti, Mexico) yield extracts with distinct flavor characteristics—Madagascar vanilla is typically bold and creamy, Tahitian vanilla is floral and fruity, and Mexican vanilla offers earthy, spicy notes.

Culinary Uses

Vanilla extract serves as a primary flavoring agent in baking, desserts, and sweet preparations across numerous culinary traditions. It is essential in cakes, cookies, custards, ice cream, and puddings, where it enhances sweetness and provides aromatic depth. Beyond sweets, vanilla extract appears in savory applications—fruit compotes, sauces, and even certain meat preparations—where it adds subtle complexity. The ingredient is typically added near the end of cooking to preserve volatile aromatics, though in baked goods it integrates throughout the batter. A small quantity (½ to 2 teaspoons per recipe) is generally sufficient, as vanilla extract is highly concentrated.

Used In

Recipes Using vanilla extract (618)

RCI-BR.005.0599.001

Sugar Cookies

Sugar Cookies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.003.0297.001

Sugar-free Fudge

Recipe by Kaye Hartley as published in Dec/Jan 95 Taste of Home magazine

RCI-BR.005.0608.001

Sugarless Wheat 'n' Fruit Cookies

* Makes 5 dozen

RCI-DS.001.0535.001

Summer Strawberry Orange Cups

.

RCI-RC.005.0087.001

Swedish Rice Porridge

Makes 6 servings.

RCI-DS.001.0541.001

Swedish Rice Pudding II

Makes 6 servings.

RCI-BR.003.0407.001

Sweet Oatmeal Corn Muffins

Sweet Oatmeal Corn Muffins from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0544.001

Sweet Potato Bread Pudding

Sweet potato Bread Pudding that I perfected in 1982. I loved sweet potatoes and love bread pudding. I experimented with these recipe for 3-4 times before I came up with this version which won second place in a cooking contest in 1999. Enjoy.

RCI-VG.002.0183.001

Sweet Potato Casserole II

Sweet Potatoes Canned by the US Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe

Sweet Potato Pie
RCI-BR.006.0335.001

Sweet Potato Pie

S.

RCI-DS.001.0545.001

Sweet Potato Pudding

Sweet potato pudding is a sweet treat and a great side for Thanksgiving meals.

RCI-BR.005.0616.001

Tasty Tofu Brownie Snacks

Tasty Tofu Brownie Snacks from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0552.001

Tembleque

Tembleque from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0553.001

Tembleque II

Puerto Rican-style coconut pudding. This is one of the recipes that remind me of my childhood. This pudding is a very common Puerto Rican dessert. To describe it I would say that is a creamy coconut pudding, topped with cinnamon and delicious.

RCI-DS.001.0556.001

Teresa's pavlova

Teresa's pavlova from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0624.001

Thick & Chewy Double-Chocolate Cookies

Makes about 42 cookies This recipe and the others from my week o' cookies (Gingered Sugar Cookies, Chewy Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies, and Peanut Butter Cookies) are all from Baking Illustrated.

RCI-DS.001.0561.001

Tiakri

This is an Cameroonian snack similar to rice pudding.

RCI-DS.001.0563.001

Tiger Lilly Rice Pudding

Always check the ingredients to make sure the product is vegan.

RCI-BR.005.0629.001

Toffee-topped Cheesecake Bars

Toffee-topped Cheesecake Bars from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0418.001

Tofu Banana Bread

.

RCI-BR.004.0527.001

Tofu Cheesecake

Tofu Cheesecake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0529.001

Torta de Jojoto

8 Servings

RCI-BR.004.0530.001

Total Chocolate Eclipse Cake

.

Traditional Pavlova
RCI-DS.001.0573.001

Traditional Pavlova

Pavolva dressed with cream and strawberries. In 1935, the chef of the Hotel Esplanade in Perth, Western Australia, Herbert Sachse, created the pavlova to celebrate the visit of the great Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova.

RCI-BR.004.0532.001

Tres Leches Cake

Tres leches cake is a popular Latin American dessert using 3 types of milk. This simple recipe was found in a recipe book unfortunately the author is now unknown.

RCI-BR.003.0420.001

Trinidad Sweet Bread

*

RCI-BR.005.0632.001

Triple-chocolate Biscotti

Italian cookie good with coffee or vanilla ice cream.

RCI-DS.003.0307.001

Triple-chocolate Fudge

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: Taste of t

RCI-DS.001.0575.001

Triple-layer Cheesecake

Triple-layer Cheesecake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0576.001

Tropcial Rice Pudding

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

RCI-DS.001.0577.001

Tropical Tofu-Rice Pudding

Makes 10 servings.

RCI-DS.003.0312.001

Turron de Vino

300px| Turron de Vino Wine meringue This recipe is for 8 to 10 serving

RCI-BR.005.0637.001

Turtle Cookies

Purchased from Betik Estate in Waxahachie, Texas in 1998. Dated 1922. Indicates this was a $25,000 winner in the Pillsbury Cookoff in 1953.

RCI-DS.001.0579.001

Tutti-Fruitti Rice Custard

Makes 8 servings.

RCI-BR.005.0638.001

Ultimate Brownies

Makes about 36 brownies.

RCI-BR.004.0540.001

Ultra-Rich Chocolate Cake

.

RCI-DS.002.0192.001

Valentine Meringue Hearts

Valentine Meringue Hearts from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0642.001

Vanilla Crescents (Vanilkove rohlicky)

Vanilla Crescents (Vanilkove rohlicky) from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0585.001

Vanilla Custard Cups

Contributed by Jenn B aka Mom2Sam and Tiny at World Re

RCI-DS.003.0315.001

Vanilla Fudge

The delicious treat from heaven made easy for you to make at home.

RCI-DS.002.0196.001

Vanilla Pecan Ice Cream

This is a recipe I obtained from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Hager estate in Canton, Texas in 1982.

RCI-DS.002.0197.001

Vanilla Rice Custard Freeze

Makes 8 servings.

RCI-BR.005.0648.001

Vegan Brownies

Vegan Brownies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0543.001

Vegan Chocolate Cake

Try With Vegan Chocolate Frosting or even better Vegan Peanut Butter Frosting

RCI-BR.004.0544.001

Vegetarian Cake

Vegetarian Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0588.001

Velvet Rice Pudding with Strawberry Sauce

Makes 8 servings.

RCI-DS.004.0301.001

Venus Bananas Foster

Always check the ingredients to make sure the product is vegan.

RCI-DS.004.0303.001

Very Berry Meringues

Fruit & Vegetable Recipes II by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe : 6

RCI-BR.004.0549.001

Wacky cake

Wacky cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.005.0094.001

Warming Quinoa Porridge

This is a great (gluten-free) alternative to oatmeal — you’ll get an extra kick of protein from the quinoa!