The Best Time To Use Imitation Vanilla Extract For Baking

If you, too, are an experienced home baker, you know that the amount of vanilla a recipe calls for is usually just a suggestion. There’s nothing that can replace the flavor and boldness of real vanilla extract, except for, well, imitation vanilla extract. The difference between the two is that real vanilla is extracted from the vanilla orchid, while artificial vanilla is made with a synthetic substitute. As such, artificial vanilla tends to be cheaper than real vanilla, and some people argue that real vanilla extract should be avoided altogether. 

That being said, there are some instances when you can (and can’t) substitute synthetic vanilla for real vanilla and vice versa. One of these instances is high-heat baking, in which synthetic vanilla extract is preferred. This includes recipes like cookies and cakes. The flavor compounds inside the real vanilla will break down when exposed to heat, leaving behind vanillin. You’re going to get the same flavor from synthetic vanilla here anyway (and some people even think that the flavor of synthetic vanilla is stronger in cookies than the real stuff), which means that you’ll save yourself money by using imitation vanilla.

Now, don’t take this as a sign to throw out that bottle of high-quality vanilla extract sitting in your pantry (your wallet would not be happy, anyway). There are many uses where real vanilla is the superior product. Although high-heat cooking destroys some of the complex compounds in natural vanilla, cold temperatures do not. As such, you may want to try adding real vanilla extract to treats like homemade ice cream; we recommend pairing a high-quality extract with other forms of vanilla, like paste or pod scrapings, to elevate your dessert even more and to give it those beautiful little black flecks. You can also use real vanilla extract for custards, buttercream frostings, and no-bake desserts, since they will allow the vanilla flavor to shine through. 

Cocktails can also benefit from a little authentic vanilla flavor, too. Try some in our vanilla bean old-fashioned recipe to see what impact the aroma and flavor of pure vanilla extract can have on your libations.