Hey wait!!! Just because you have run out of Vanilla Extract in your kitchen, does not mean you’ll have to drop the idea of baking the cake your family and loved ones had been waiting for. As we say every problem has its own solution so does this one. Read on to know what all Vanilla Substitutes you can use to prepare your favorite recipe without altering the flavor too much too much.

Top 10 Vanilla Substitutes

Substitutes That Taste Just Like Vanilla

1.  Fiori di Sicillia: Also known as the essence of sicillian flower, tastes like vanilla ice cream and orange sherbet. If you have this handy, just add a little bit to your recipe to get the desired results.

2. Liqueur or Alcohol: Liqueurs or alcohols like Kahlua, frangellica, brandy etc. can prove to be great vanilla substitutes. Be sure you do not go overboard with them. Just add as much as the actual vanilla extract you would’ve added.

3. Vanilla Bean: You don’t have the vanilla extract, but you have some vanilla beans lying on the top shelf of your kitchen. Put them to use now. Vanilla bean is one of the best Vanilla substitutes. Just scrape half a vanilla bean for every tablespoon of vanilla extract, and you are good to go.

4. Vanilla Powder or Vanilla Essence: If you have any of these handy, they can be brilliant vanilla substitutes. Make sure to add half the quantity if using vanilla powder. Vanilla essence can also provide desired results, however it does not contain alcohol.

5. Vanilla Flavored Milk/Syrup: You can give this recipe a try. Split the vanilla bean and extract the soft centre. In a pan add the bean along with the soft centre and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. You have vanilla milk ready and you can store it in a refrigerator to use as a vanilla bean substitute in cases of emergencies. You can also choose to alter milk with water and sugar in this recipe, to get vanilla syrup. However, if you don't feel like preparing this at home, then store bought vanilla milk/syrup would work eqully well. 

Substitutes That Won’t Let You Miss The Real Thing.

1. Maple Syrup: The first thing you should look out for, in the absence of vanilla extract is the good ol’ maple syrup. Just use it instead of vanilla extract and you won’t find any difference in the taste.

2. Almond Extract: Another very effective extract, which can be used as a vanilla substitute is certainly the almond extract. However just make sure that you use only half the quantity of almond extract vis-à-vis the vanilla extract since the almond extract has a very strong flavor.

3. Spices: Surprising but true, you can be a little experimental with your cooking by using cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg or fennel seeds as vanilla substitutes.

4. Lemon Peel: This is the most easily available vanilla substitute. Add the skin of a fresh lemon to your batter and remove before baking.

5. Coffee: If you are preparing chocolate flavored cookies or cakes, you can easily use a little bit of brewed coffee as a vanilla substitute. However, coffee might not work too well with other desserts like puddings and ice creams.

Well so now, you can complete your recipe, without having to run to a gourmet shop to buy the exotic vanilla extract. Don’t forget to share these tips with your friends and boast of being a champion of vanilla substitutes.

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