
vanilla extract
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)
Healthy Cut-out Cookies
Healthy Cut-out Cookies from the Recidemia collection
Healthy Honey Wheat Cookies
Healthy Honey Wheat Cookies from the Recidemia collection
Heavenly Chocolate Delight
Makes 8 servings
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.
Hershey's Chocolate Peppermint Log
Hershey's Chocolate Peppermint Log from the Recidemia collection
Hershey's German Chocolate Cake
Makes 1 cake and about 2⅔ cups frosting
Holiday Fruit Bread
Holiday Fruit Bread from the Recidemia collection
Holiday Pecan Logs
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
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.
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.
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.
Homemade Instant Pudding Mixes
These are homemade replacements for the instant pudding mixes found in a number of North American recipes.
Homemade Kahlua Coffee Liqueur
Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group This Y-group is
Homemade Nougat
Homemade Nougat from the Recidemia collection
Honey Almond Custard
Contributed by Jenn B aka Mom2Sam and Tiny at
Honey-sweet Pineapple Dip
Source: Lean and Luscious and Meatless, Volume 3 in the series, by Bobbie Hinman and Millie Snyder
Hot 'n' Nutty Cookies
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 2 dozen cook
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.
Iced Chocolate Cupcakes
Iced Chocolate Cupcakes from the Recidemia collection
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.
Innkeeper Pie
Innkeeper Pie from the Recidemia collection
Irish Coffee with Creamy Topping
Yield: 8 servings
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.
Italian Love Cake
Contributed by Tina at World Recipes Y-Group * Makes
Jumbo Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Cookie
Jumbo Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Cookie from the Recidemia collection
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".
Kal kals
are a fried sweet traditionally made during Christmas in Christian communities of India.
Kifli
are Hungarian pastries.
Kingman's Vegan Zucchini Bread à la GrauFrau
Kingman's Vegan Zucchini Bread à la GrauFrau from the Recidemia collection
Koba
Koba from the Recidemia collection
Kyrgyz Chocolate Chip Cookies
Kyrgyz Chocolate Chip Cookies from the Recidemia collection
Lavender Cookies
.
Lavender Ice Cream
.
Layers of Love Chocolate Brownies
Contributed by Lindas Busy Kitchen Dess
Lemon Blueberry Pancakes
American cuisine Breakfast Cuisine Vegetarian Cuisine Bread
Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes
American cuisine Breakfast Cuisine Vegetarian Cuisine Bread
Lentil Cookies
Contributed by Gloria at
Lentils with a Cowboy Twist
Lentils with a Cowboy Twist from the Recidemia collection
Light and Easy Chocolate Cheese-filled Angel Cake
Light and Easy Chocolate Cheese-filled Angel Cake from the Recidemia collection
Light Fluffy Pancakes
American cuisine Breakfast Cuisine Vegetarian Cuisine
Louisiana Creamy Pralines
Louisiana Creamy Pralines from the Recidemia collection
Louisiana Roasted Pecan Pie
I first tried this at Cajun Connection in Utica, IL and immediately decided that I needed to master the recipe.
Loukoumas
Loukoumas is a Greek fried pastry, similar to a doughnut.
Loukoumas
Loukoumas is a Greek fried pastry, similar to a doughnut.
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!
Low-calorie Eggnog
Makes 10 one half cup servings
Low-cal Pumpkin Cheese Pie
Source: Diabetic Dessert Cookbook
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!
Lower-Fat Chocolate Chip Cookies
Contributed by purity control Uploaded by You ate my cat I have seen lots of cooking threads, but h
Low-fat Applesauce Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * This recipe makes: