Vanilla extract vs Vanilla essence 2023

Welcome to our baking blog!

Today, we're going to be talking about the differences between vanilla extract and vanilla essence, and why vanilla essence might just be the secret ingredient to take your cakes and ice cream to the next level.

What is Vanilla Extract?

First, let's define the two ingredients. Vanilla extract is made by soaking vanilla beans in a mixture of water and alcohol. This creates a strong, aromatic flavor that is often used in baking. Vanilla essence, on the other hand, is made from a blend of artificial flavors and is not derived from real vanilla beans.

Now, you might be wondering why you would choose vanilla essence over the real deal. Here's where things get interesting. While vanilla extract definitely has its place in baking, vanilla essence has a few key advantages that make it a great choice for certain recipes.

Why Vanilla Essence is Potent

For one, vanilla essence is much more potent than vanilla extract. A little goes a long way, so you won't need to use as much to achieve the same flavor impact. This can be especially useful in recipes where you want the vanilla flavor to stand out, but don't want to overpower other ingredients.

Vanilla essence is also more versatile than vanilla extract. Because it is made from artificial flavors, it can hold up to higher cooking temperatures and won't "bake off" or lose its flavor when exposed to heat. This makes it perfect for use in cakes, ice cream, and other baked goods where the vanilla flavor needs to be strong and consistent throughout the cooking process.

So, if you're looking to give your cakes and ice cream an extra boost of vanilla flavor, try using vanilla essence instead of vanilla extract. We think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the difference it makes!

Here's a delicious vanilla essence-based recipe for a classic vanilla cake:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tsp vanilla essence

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x9 inch square baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and eggs until well combined. Add the milk and vanilla essence and mix until smooth.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Serve and enjoy!

We hope you give this vanilla essence-based recipe a try and see for yourself just how delicious it can be. Happy baking!