Flavor Extracts and Emulsions Are Essential Baking Flavoring Solutions
Flavor extracts, essences and emulsions are alcohol-based flavoring solutions that work well in baked goods. They withstand high temperatures and don’t ‘bake-out’ like many other flavoring methods.
These products are ideal for adding a hint of flavor to baked goods, especially when you want the flavor to play a supporting role. They are strong so a little goes a long way!
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is an essential baking ingredient. It’s a solution made by macerating and percolating vanilla pods in a solution of water and ethanol (an alcohol). It is the most common flavoring used to make Western desserts such as cakes, cookies, brownies, cupcakes and custards. You can also add a little vanilla extract to hot drinks such as coffee or tea. There are a lot of benefits to making your own vanilla extract at home rather than purchasing store-bought varieties. For one thing, you have control over the type of alcohol used and the quality of vanilla beans. For example, using bourbon- or brandy-infused vanilla can give your baked goods a richer flavor.
You can use other liquids in place of alcohol in vanilla extract, such as honey. Adding honey can help your baked goods retain moisture and also impart a sweetness similar to vanilla. A tablespoon of honey can replace 1 teaspoon (tsp) of vanilla extract.
Vanilla is a popular ingredient for baking and plays well with other flavors, but you might not know that there are different vanilla products available at your local grocery store. Pure vanilla extract is made by steeping vanilla pods in water and ethyl alcohol and is more expensive than vanilla essence. It is ideal for recipes where the vanilla is meant to be a supporting flavor and for cooking with heat that might damage the volatile vanillin flavor compounds.
Almond Extract
Almond extract is a baker’s essential, enhancing recipes for cookies, cakes, pies and pastries with its warm, toasty, baking flavoring nutty flavor. It’s also a natural complement for vanilla, chocolate, maple or butterscotch. It’s also a perfect ingredient for making homemade cocktails like the Amaretto Sour or Almond Old Fashioned.
Like other extracts, it’s a mixture of just three ingredients (if pure): alcohol, bitter almond oil and water. The oil is derived from the pits of whole bitter almonds, or it can come from closely related botanical friends like peach, apricot or cherries, since they belong to the drupe family along with almonds. It can also be distilled from cassia bark or synthesized in labs. Because of this, most products labeled as “pure” almond extract will only contain oil from bitter almonds and ethyl alcohol, not the actual nuts themselves, so they are safe for people with tree nut allergies.
Almond extract is potent and adds a lot of flavor with just a few drops, so it’s important to use it sparingly. When substituting for other flavors, remember that different ingredients have varying intensities, so start with a small amount and taste as you go to ensure your recipe has the right balance. Experimenting with flavors is great, but maintaining consistency will help ensure you get the best results each time you bake.
Coffee Extract
Coffee syrup is the perfect addition to sweet or savory recipes. It’s like a concentrated shot of espresso goodness that elevates your favorite beverages and desserts. Coffee extract is another great option for adding a deep coffee flavor to your recipes. It’s a potent, shelf-stable ingredient that is ideal for baking or cooking. It’s also a delicious substitute for instant coffee in recipes that call for it.
You can find a variety of brands that sell fragrance oils coffee extract online or in stores. Many of them are made with high-quality ingredients that you can trust to deliver a true coffee flavor. Look for a non-GMO option that is organic and free of artificial flavors and colors. You can also find products that are vegan, kosher, and gluten-free.
You can also make your own coffee extract at home using whole coffee beans and alcohol. The process takes a little bit of patience, but it’s well worth the effort. The final product is an excellent substitute for vanilla extract in any recipe and it can even be used in recipes for ice cream and cocktails. You can also use it in marinades for meats.
Coconut Extract
Coconut extract adds a tropical flavor to desserts, baking recipes, and savory dishes. It can also be added to drinks and smoothies for a hint of coconut taste. However, the ingredient can be difficult to find and can be expensive if you are not willing to purchase it in large quantities. Luckily, there are many good substitutes that can be used in place of coconut extract. These include coconut oil, coconut milk, coconut rum, and imitation coconut extract.
You can also try making your own homemade coconut extract. This simple recipe requires just two ingredients: rum and coconut flakes. The alcohol in the rum will extract the coconut flavor. The alcohol will also serve as a preservative, so the extract will last longer than store-bought varieties. The process is relatively quick and easy, and the coconut extract will have a more intense flavor than store-bought varieties.
You can also use a homemade almond extract in place of coconut extract if you prefer. Almond extract is made by extracting natural oils from crushed almonds. This process is similar to that of making vanilla extract, and it can be done at home. The main difference is that almond extract contains fat, whereas coconut extract does not. Depending on the recipe you are using, this may make an insignificant difference. However, if you are using the substitution for a drink or baked item that calls for coconut extract, you will need to consider the fat content of the dish.
