5 substitutes to replace vanilla extract while baking

Baking has to be one of the most satisfying activities. After all, who does not like to have a sweet treat after a long and tiring day? Whether you are a professional baker or just a beginner, you must be aware of vanilla extract since it is the most commonly used ingredient for baking. Vanilla extract has a sweet flavour and aroma to it which enhances the taste of your bake. A few drops of vanilla extract have the power to take your desserts to the next level. However, have you wondered what can you use instead of vanilla extract in case you run out of it suddenly or it's inaccessible to you? Well, you don’t need to worry. While vanilla extract may be the most popular one to be used in baking, there are extracts as well that you can use as a substitute for vanilla extract and they will give you the same delicious flavour and taste. Here are 5 substitutes to replace vanilla extract in your baking. (Images courtesy: Canva)

Zets of citrus fruits like orange work wonder as a replacement for vanilla extract. It adds a nice tangy flavor to your baking and helps to balance out the sweetness level of the recipe as well. If you are in the mood to add some strong flavor and want to improve the overall taste of your taste, the orange extract is an amazing option. Make sure to use only a few drops as you will not want your sweet dish to turn into a sour one.

Are you someone who loves to have that nutty flavor in their foods? Then get your hands on some almond extract and you will have a different flavored dessert ready for yourself. While vanilla extract adds a sweetness to the recipes, almond has a strong and rich taste to them. Once again be a bit cautious about the amount of almond extract as too much of it can make your bake bitter.

Adding alcohol to your baking does not seem a suitable idea, right? But hold on. You will be surprised to know that your good, old vanilla extract also contains alcohol. So, why not use rum instead of vanilla to give your bake a little bit of twist? Alcohol such as brandy, and bourbon also work great as a replacement for vanilla. These extracts do not alter the texture of the bake, so you can use them without worry. Chocolate cakes and choco chip muffins are some of the popular recipes that often use rum extracts or other alcohol extracts.

Adding rose to a recipe is certainly a delicacy. Many famous recipes use rose water to enhance the fragrance and flavor of the dish. This concentrated extract made out of rose petals has a strong scent to it which can instantly add some new touch to your recipe. Add some rose extract to cookies, brownies, or macarons, and savor your flavored bake.

Lemon is a popular citrus fruit and we all know how a sprinkle of lemon juice can amplify the taste of any dish. Lemon extracts are not sour rather it has a distinct flavour and aroma to them. This citrus fruit is widely available and makes for a great alternative to vanilla extract. Make some lemon tarts, cupcakes, and pies or even use it in the frosting and get a flavoursome dessert.

It’s time to replace the all-time vanilla extract with these amazing substitutes. Use these extracts in your baking recipes to get some extra applause from your friends and family.

By Chef Ashita Baijal & Founder ME:ETTE Atelier and Patisserie, Delhi