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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.005.0345.001

Healthy Cut-out Cookies

Healthy Cut-out Cookies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0346.001

Healthy Honey Wheat Cookies

Healthy Honey Wheat Cookies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0274.001

Heavenly Chocolate Delight

Makes 8 servings

RCI-BR.005.0351.001

Hermits

are chewy molasses spice cookies. This version is on the strong side of the spectrum so those who prefer less hot-tasting food should hold back on the cloves and ginger.

RCI-BR.004.0267.001

Hershey's Chocolate Peppermint Log

Hershey's Chocolate Peppermint Log from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0268.001

Hershey's German Chocolate Cake

Makes 1 cake and about 2⅔ cups frosting

RCI-BR.003.0228.001

Holiday Fruit Bread

Holiday Fruit Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.003.0169.001

Holiday Pecan Logs

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

RCI-EG.004.0049.001

Homemade Advocaat

This is the Dutch equivalent of eggnog and literally translated means "lawyer". This traditional Dutch beverage is always served during the Christmas season.

RCI-BV.005.0037.001

Homemade Bailey's Irish Cream

This recipe is for all of you who enjoy Bailey's. This recipe tastes just as good, if not even better. Try it and let me know what you think.

RCI-BR.004.0271.001

Homemade Cake Mix

This wonderful mix can be substituted for any purchased cake mix. Unlike other homemade cake mix recipes, this one has less fat, so it can be substituted for the purchased cake mix recipes, which often add oil or butter.

RCI-DS.001.0277.001

Homemade Instant Pudding Mixes

These are homemade replacements for the instant pudding mixes found in a number of North American recipes.

RCI-BV.002.0041.001

Homemade Kahlua Coffee Liqueur

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group This Y-group is

RCI-DS.003.0170.001

Homemade Nougat

Homemade Nougat from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0279.001

Honey Almond Custard

Contributed by Jenn B aka Mom2Sam and Tiny at

RCI-SN.001.0216.001

Honey-sweet Pineapple Dip

Source: Lean and Luscious and Meatless, Volume 3 in the series, by Bobbie Hinman and Millie Snyder

RCI-BR.005.0360.001

Hot 'n' Nutty Cookies

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 2 dozen cook

RCI-BR.004.0276.001

Huckleberry Coffeecake

Purchased from Tibbenham Estate in Anna, Texas in 1997. This one is marked as a family favorite. The notation on the ledger indicates this came from an old Metropolitan Cookbook in the 1940s.

RCI-BR.004.0278.001

Iced Chocolate Cupcakes

Iced Chocolate Cupcakes from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.003.0175.001

Incredibly Rich Buttermilk Candy

Purchased from the Reinhart Estate in Ida, Oklahoma in 1992. Dated 1961. Notation on paper indicates this recipe is easy and very well received at cookouts.

RCI-BR.004.0284.001

Innkeeper Pie

Innkeeper Pie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BV.008.0047.001

Irish Coffee with Creamy Topping

Yield: 8 servings

RCI-BV.005.0040.001

Irish Cream Liqueur

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Williams Estate in Tyler, Texas in 1994.

RCI-BR.004.0291.001

Italian Love Cake

Contributed by Tina at World Recipes Y-Group * Makes

RCI-BR.005.0368.001

Jumbo Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Cookie

Jumbo Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Cookie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.004.0019.001

Jus de Bissap

Made from the dried red flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa, a kind of hibiscus plant, Jus de Bissap (Beesap) seems to be more of a tea than a "juice". It is often called the "national drink of Senegal".

RCI-BR.005.0373.001

Kal kals

are a fried sweet traditionally made during Christmas in Christian communities of India.

RCI-BR.005.0374.001

Kifli

are Hungarian pastries.

RCI-BR.003.0251.001

Kingman's Vegan Zucchini Bread à la GrauFrau

Kingman's Vegan Zucchini Bread à la GrauFrau from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.003.0188.001

Koba

Koba from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0377.001

Kyrgyz Chocolate Chip Cookies

Kyrgyz Chocolate Chip Cookies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0379.001

Lavender Cookies

.

RCI-VG.004.0766.001

Lavender Ice Cream

.

RCI-BR.005.0381.001

Layers of Love Chocolate Brownies

Contributed by Lindas Busy Kitchen Dess

RCI-BR.008.0109.001

Lemon Blueberry Pancakes

American cuisine Breakfast Cuisine Vegetarian Cuisine Bread

RCI-BR.008.0110.001

Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes

American cuisine Breakfast Cuisine Vegetarian Cuisine Bread

RCI-VG.004.0781.001

Lentil Cookies

Contributed by Gloria at

RCI-VG.004.0805.001

Lentils with a Cowboy Twist

Lentils with a Cowboy Twist from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0313.001

Light and Easy Chocolate Cheese-filled Angel Cake

Light and Easy Chocolate Cheese-filled Angel Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.008.0112.001

Light Fluffy Pancakes

American cuisine Breakfast Cuisine Vegetarian Cuisine

RCI-DS.003.0193.001

Louisiana Creamy Pralines

Louisiana Creamy Pralines from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.006.0176.001

Louisiana Roasted Pecan Pie

I first tried this at Cajun Connection in Utica, IL and immediately decided that I needed to master the recipe.

RCI-SN.002.0191.002

Loukoumas

Loukoumas is a Greek fried pastry, similar to a doughnut.

RCI-SN.002.0191.001

Loukoumas

Loukoumas is a Greek fried pastry, similar to a doughnut.

RCI-BR.006.0177.001

Low-calorie and Low-fat Cheesecake

This recipe is not the real thing but when I'm taking in 1200 calories/day and working out 2 – 3 hours/day training for competitions, I have to watch my calories! To even be able to have cheesecake is a rare treat!

RCI-DS.001.0309.001

Low-calorie Eggnog

Makes 10 one half cup servings

RCI-BR.006.0180.001

Low-cal Pumpkin Cheese Pie

Source: Diabetic Dessert Cookbook

RCI-DS.003.0194.001

Low-carb Chocolate Drops

This is a nice option to candy while following a low-carb diet. There are 2 carbs a piece. These don't keep well, so eat them up!

RCI-BR.005.0388.001

Lower-Fat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Contributed by purity control Uploaded by You ate my cat I have seen lots of cooking threads, but h

RCI-BR.005.0389.001

Low-fat Applesauce Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * This recipe makes: