Vanilla Extract
Vanilla Extract is the classic ingredient found in all varieties of vanilla-based desserts. Vanilla extract has a delicate nutty flavor, somewhat similar to brown sugar, making it a popular addition to many baked goods. These vanilla extracts also contains vitamins B and C, which are important for healthy eating. In fact, experts advise that young and old alike should ingest at least five servings of fruit and vegetable per day.
Vanilla Extract comes in two varieties, powder or condensed, depending on how it will be used. For instance, if you're making a recipe calling for either white or dark vanilla essence, you can simply use the type of extract in the bottle, or combine both. In a recipe for hot chocolate, substitute the powder for cocoa powder. If you want to add some flavor, try adding a touch of cinnamon. To make a Marshmallow Pie, add the concentrated extract. In fact, any recipe that calls for baking should first be mixed with the correct amount of extract.
Vanilla Extract is mostly used as a thickener in recipes where there is no need for alcohol. This means desserts such as banana splits, cakes, biscuits, frosting mixes, ice cream mixes, smoothies, lattes, cereal, soups, sauces, or other toppings for a non-alcoholic dessert. In some cases, for those who prefer their coffee and tea sweetened, instead of using the vanilla extract, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of lukewarm (room temperature) milk for about one cup of heavy cream or evaporated milk. Another alternative is to use two tablespoons of evaporated milk instead of three cups of heavy cream or sugar.
Vanilla Extract is not the best uses for the extra sugar. It actually tastes better as a thickener in breads or baked desserts. For breads and cakes, it thickens the bread so that you don't need to use as much bread dough or baking time. For desserts that you bake for entertaining, adding the vanilla extract can give your dessert a more subtle sweetness.
When using it for chocolate chip cookies, it's best to use the concentrated extract, as the chocolate chips tend to have a very strong flavor. You can still use the extracts blended together. One of the best uses for vanilla extract is for baking brownies and cookies. This is because the brownie or cookies will maintain their shape and won't fall apart after being cooked on the stovetop. You may also click here for more about vanilla extracts.
You can get vanilla extract from many sources including health food stores, supermarkets, drugstores and online. You can also buy vanilla beans directly from manufacturers. There are several brands of manufactured vanilla beans including Lord Foods, Yoplait, Slim Fast and Nature's Garlic. You can go to any of these stores in your area and ask for their dried or fresh vanilla beans. You can also go online and order them online; many companies offer free shipping and the product is shipped directly to your door. Check out this post for more detailed information on this topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanilla_extract.
