Baking basics
Substitutes for vanilla extract
Vanilla rounds out sweetness in almost every dessert. In US stores, pure vanilla extract is at least 35 percent alcohol.
-
Vanilla bean paste
- How much
- The same amount
- What changes
- Stronger, with visible vanilla seeds.
- Best in
- Custards, frosting, cookies.
-
Vanilla bean
- How much
- The seeds of 1 bean for each 1 tbsp extract
- What changes
- A deeper, floral flavor and visible seeds.
- Best in
- Custards, ice cream, frosting.
-
Alcohol-free vanilla
- How much
- The same amount
- What changes
- Made with glycerin; a slightly milder taste.
- Best in
- Everything.
-
Imitation vanilla
- How much
- The same amount
- What changes
- Fine in baked goods; flatter in no-bake desserts.
- Best in
- Cookies, cakes.
-
Maple syrup
- How much
- The same amount
- What changes
- A light maple note instead of vanilla. Or just leave vanilla out: chocolate recipes barely notice, plain cakes taste flat.
- Best in
- Pancakes, oatmeal, cookies.
Simmerbee recipes with vanilla extract (62)
- Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
- Bakery-Style Blueberry Streusel Muffins
- Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
- Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies
- Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Brown Sugar Pecan Slice-and-Bake Shortbread
- Buttery Jam Thumbprint Cookies
- Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chewy Spiced Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Walnut Banana Bread
- Chocolate Cupcakes with Fudge Frosting
- Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
- Cinnamon Spiced Hot Chocolate
- Classic Butter Shortbread Wedges
- Classic Buttery Peanut Brittle
- Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Classic Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Classic Cream Scones
- Classic French Crêpes
- Classic One-Bowl Banana Bread
- Classic Pecan Pie
- Classic Skillet French Toast
- Classic Vanilla Butter Pound Cake
- Coconut Rice Pudding with Toasted Coconut
- Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies
- Creamy Stovetop Cinnamon Rice Pudding
- Creamy Vanilla Overnight Oats
- Crisp Classic Waffles
- Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
- Easy Chocolate Fudge
On those recipes, tap Swaps next to the ingredient for the short version.
More baking basics swaps
Baking powderBaking sodaCornstarchYeastCocoa powderChocolate and chocolate chipsCream of tartar
Ingredient guide: Vanilla extract: pick, store and measure