With the power to impart robust flavor using only a small amount, extracts are essential ingredients for all bakers to have on hand. They are made by infusing a base liquid, typically alcohol, with the oils or compounds from a specific ingredient. This process captures the pure essence of the flavor, resulting in a potent and concentrated product. Flavor extracts are versatile and can be used in various baked goods, from cakes and cookies to frostings and fillings. They add depth and complexity to recipes, enhancing their overall taste and aroma. Extracts are available in a wide range of flavors, allowing you to get creative and experiment with different combinations to customize your baked goods. From classic vanilla and almond to unique options like coffee and citrus, we’ve listed the top 10 best flavor extracts to keep stocked in your pantry with some ideas on how to use them.
Shop All Baking Extracts1. Vanilla Extract
In baking, one flavor extract stands above the rest: vanilla. Its warm, sweet, and comforting flavor profile is a staple in every baker's pantry for good reason. Vanilla extract can enhance everything from tart tropical fruits to rich chocolate and caramel, as well as herbal and floral notes, making it a powerhouse ingredient in an endless number of recipes.
Pure vanilla extract is produced by steeping vanilla beans in alcohol and sometimes water. To be considered "pure," the extract must consist of at least 13.35% vanilla bean solids and 35% alcohol. Vanilla extract adds depth and richness to virtually any baked good and is also ideal for custards and ice creams. Beyond baking, it can be the secret ingredient to elevate sauces, glazes, and beverages like lattes, cold brews, colas, and lemonades. Its ability to balance sweetness, cut acidity, and dampen bitterness in recipes helps achieve the perfect nuanced taste.
- Vanilla extract flavor pairings: Chocolate, coffee, almond, hazelnut, mango, pineapple, lavender
- Vanilla extract applications: Baked goods, pastries, ice creams, frostings, glazes
- Vanilla extract culinary applications: Sauces, marinades, glazes
- Vanilla extract beverage applications: Coffee, hot chocolate, cocktails, colas
2. Almond Extract
Arguably the next most used extract in a baker’s arsenal after vanilla is almond extract. Pure almond extract is commonly made from bitter almonds but, because almonds are technically a stone fruit, it can also be produced from the pits of other stone fruits like peaches or apricots. While often associated with almond-flavored treats, this extract offers more versatility. Its robust, nutty, and subtly fruity taste pairs well with various ingredients like vanilla, chocolate, cherries, and raspberry. Its flavor profile can round out the bitterness in coffee or dark chocolate and elevate dishes featuring pitted fruits.
Almond extract is commonly used in recipes for cookies, cakes, pastries, and even frostings. Use it to bring depth to fruity baked goods like muffins and scones or to add a layer of flavor to chocolate chip and sugar cookies. It can also be added to beverages like coffee or hot chocolate for a delightful twist.
- Almond extract flavor pairings: Vanilla, chocolate, coffee, raspberry, stone fruits
- Almond extract applications: Cookies, cakes, pastries, muffins, biscotti
- Almond extract culinary applications: Sauces, dressings
- Almond extract beverage applications: Lattes, hot chocolate, smoothies
3. Peppermint Extract
Known for its cool minty taste, peppermint extract is an essential winter ingredient to add to your seasonal treats. Pure peppermint extract is typically made by diluting the essential oils with alcohol or steeping peppermint leaves in alcohol and straining them before bottling. Peppermint extract is ideal for pairing with various types of chocolate. Whether you're using dark, milk, or white chocolate, peppermint extract complements them all, adding a burst of freshness to your desserts.
Peppermint extract is ideal for making classic holiday confections, such as candy canes and peppermint bark, as well as cookies, cakes, glazes, and ice creams. Its vibrant flavor can also be incorporated into holiday-inspired mochas, hot chocolate, and cocktails, adding a festive touch to your beverages around Christmastime.
- Peppermint extract flavor pairings: Chocolate, white chocolate, vanilla, matcha
- Peppermint extract baking applications: Cookies, cakes, bark, candies, glazes, ice creams
- Peppermint extract beverage applications: Mochas, hot chocolate, teas, cocktails
4. Lemon Extract
When it comes to adding a burst of citrusy goodness to your baked treats, lemon extract is a must-have for your baking arsenal. Made from the oil of lemon rinds, this flavorful extract packs a punch of bright citrus flavor with zesty notes of peel that can elevate your baked goods to a new level.
Lemon extract is a versatile ingredient that can be used to boost the flavor of lemon loaves, bars, or muffins, giving them that extra kick of lemony goodness. It's also a fantastic addition to frostings, glazes, and sauces, adding a refreshing twist to your culinary creations. Since it has an alcohol base, its acid content is relatively low. This allows you to add authentic lemon flavor to your recipes without overpowering them with tartness. It also means you won't have to worry about your dairy recipes curdling, making it the ideal ingredient for flavoring frostings, whipped cream, and ice creams.
- Lemon extract flavor pairings: Blueberry, honey, vanilla, raspberry, strawberry, lavender
- Lemon extract applications: Loaves, bars, muffins, cookies, glazes, ice creams
- Lemon extract culinary applications: Dressings, glazes, marinades
- Lemon extract beverage applications: Cocktails, teas, lemonades
5. Orange Extract
Made from the zest or peel of oranges, orange extract allows you to infuse your recipes with the essence of oranges without the hassle of zesting and juicing fresh fruit. Whether you're whipping up cakes, cookies, scones, muffins, or custards, a few drops of orange extract can bring citrus flavor to your baked goods. Chocolate and orange is a classic flavor combination that never fails to impress, but orange extract also pairs well with other fruits like cranberry, lemon, strawberry, and pineapple. This makes it a great choice for experimenting with different flavor profiles in your baking.
Not just limited to sweet treats, orange extract can also be used in savory dishes. It's a popular choice for making vinaigrettes, glazes, and marinades, adding a zesty kick to dishes like chicken and fish. You can even use it to create flavorful cocktails or amplify the richness of hot chocolate. With its versatility and vibrant taste, orange extract is the perfect ingredient for any baker looking to add a touch of citrus to their creations.
- Orange extract flavor pairings: Chocolate, vanilla, cranberry, lemon, strawberry, pineapple
- Orange extract baking applications: Loafs, scones, muffins, cookies, cakes, glazes, custards
- Orange extract culinary applications: Vinaigrettes, glazes, sauces, marinades
- Orange extract beverage applications: Hot chocolate, mochas, cocktails
6. Chocolate Extract
Chocolate extract is an ideal ingredient for intensifying the rich, deep chocolate taste in your baked goods, sauces, and fillings. Made by soaking either cacao nibs or cocoa beans in alcohol, pure chocolate extract packs a powerful punch of chocolate flavor and aroma that can add another layer of richness to your sweet treats. Whether you're whipping up a batch of decadent brownies, a velvety chocolate cake, or a luscious chocolate ganache, using chocolate extract can intensify the chocolate notes and create a more robust taste profile.
Chocolate extract pairs beautifully with other flavors like vanilla, coffee, berries, and nuts. Not only does it work wonders in baked goods, but it can also be used to flavor fudge, truffles, and ice creams. Beyond baking, use it as an unexpected ingredient in savory dishes from mole sauce to a rub for your barbecued pork ribs or to craft indulgent mochas and hot chocolates.
- Chocolate extract flavor pairings: Coffee, vanilla, berries, nuts
- Chocolate extract baking applications: Baked goods, glazes, sauces, custards, ice creams
- Chocolate extract culinary applications: Sauces, glazes
- Chocolate extract beverage applications: Hot chocolates, mochas, cocktails
7. Coffee Extract
If you enjoy freshly brewed coffee's bold, aromatic flavor, coffee extract is a must-have ingredient with surprising versatility. This extract allows you to infuse your recipes with the bold taste of coffee without the need to adjust ratios for additional liquid. Pure coffee extract is made by steeping coffee beans in alcohol, so it does contain some caffeine. The amount of caffeine in a serving can vary from brand to brand depending on the production process.
Coffee extract is most commonly used to add a luscious layer of flavor to chocolate-based baked goods, sauces, and frostings. However, it isn't just limited to enhancing chocolate treats. It also pairs exceptionally well with vanilla, berry, nut, and floral flavors. For beverages, you can use coffee extract to deepen the flavor of frappes, milkshakes, and cocktails like an espresso martini or an Old Fashioned. And if you're feeling adventurous, coffee extract can even be used to make glazes and sauces for pork, steak, lamb, and duck.
- Coffee extract flavor pairings: Chocolate, vanilla, rose, lavender, berries, nuts
- Coffee extract baking applications: Baked goods, glazes, sauces, frostings, ice creams
- Coffee extract culinary applications: Sauces, glazes
- Coffee extract beverage applications: Frappes, mochas, milkshakes, cocktails
8. Anise Extract
Crafted by steeping whole or ground star anise in alcohol, pure anise extract is a concentrated essence that brings a unique depth of flavor to sweet treats. Its sweet, aromatic profile features subtle warm licorice notes and is perfect for seasonal and everyday baking.
Anise extract is a key player in traditional Italian cookie recipes, biscotti, and German Pfeffernusse cookies. Its distinctive taste can also be used to enhance fruit-filled muffins and scones, adding a delightful twist to these classic treats. Its compatibility with various flavors makes it a valuable addition to your pantry creating complex and delicious desserts. Classic pairings include vanilla, almond, and chocolate but it also pairs beautifully with cinnamon, cardamom, and other baking spices. In culinary recipes, this flavorful extract can be incorporated into soups, stews, and sauces, where it pairs exceptionally well with beef and lamb dishes.
- Anise extract flavor pairings: Vanilla, almond, coffee, chocolate, cardamom, orange, cranberry
- Anise extract applications: Cookies, muffins, biscotti, scones, tarts, cobblers
- Anise extract culinary applications: Sauces, glazes, stews, soups
- Anise extract beverage applications: Cocktails, liqueurs, teas
9. Maple Extract
Maple extract is especially popular for creating seasonal fall treats that capture the essence of autumn. Its rich, warm flavor pairs beautifully with other fall favorites like apple, cinnamon, vanilla, toffee, and pecan. Whether you're baking a batch of maple pecan muffins or drizzling maple glaze over a cinnamon apple cake, maple extract is the key to unlocking that cozy fall feeling in every bite.
Just a teaspoon or two of maple extract is all you need to infuse your creations with that unmistakable maple taste. It's perfect for adding maple flavor to baked goods, pancake and waffle batters, frostings, and glazes. Use it in tandem with maple syrup in your recipes to boost its taste and aroma. It's also great for adding a burst of maple goodness to your coffee drinks, or for whipping up a decadent maple-infused whipped cream or cold foam.
- Maple extract flavor pairings: Coffee, vanilla, pecan, apple, cinnamon, toffee
- Maple extract baking applications: Baked goods, pancakes, glazes, frostings, ice creams
- Maple extract culinary applications: Dressings, glazes, sauces
- Maple extract beverage applications: Lattes, mochas, cocktails
10. Coconut Extract
Pure coconut extract is crafted by steeping fresh coconut in alcohol, resulting in a concentrated tropical taste and aroma. Its rich, authentic flavor makes it perfect for heightening the coconut taste in macaroons, cakes, and cookies. It can also be incorporated into creams, fillings, glazes, and ice creams, infusing them with a delightful coconut essence. Coconut extract pairs well with other tropical fruit flavors, as well as chocolate, vanilla, coffee, and almond. This opens up a world of flavor combinations that can take your baked goods to the next level.
Coconut extract is useful for bringing a tropical flair to a variety of recipes. Try incorporating it into coffee drinks such as mochas and lattes, as well as cocktails like pina coladas and mojitos. Experiment with savory dishes like curry to intensify their coconut notes.
- Coconut extract flavor pairings: Chocolate, coffee, vanilla, tropical fruit, almond
- Coconut extract baking applications: Cookies, cakes, macaroons, fillings, glazes, ice creams
- Coconut extract culinary applications: Sauces, curries, glazes
- Coconut extract beverage applications: Lattes, mochas, cocktails, smoothies
Baking Extract Brands
Using high-quality flavor extracts is key to elevating the flavors of your culinary creations. Professional bakers worldwide rely on trusted brands like Nielsen-Massey, McCormick Culinary, LorAnn Oils, and Shank's to infuse their recipes with delicious taste. These top brands are known for sourcing only the best ingredients to ensure that every drop of extract delivers maximum flavor impact.
1. Nielsen-Massey
Professional bakers everywhere trust Nielsen-Massey as a go-to brand for all their baking needs. Since 1907, the brand has solidified its reputation as a trusted name in the industry, known for producing high-quality products that consistently deliver exceptional results. Their line of flavorings and extracts are made with pure, natural ingredients that pack a flavorful punch. Nielsen-Massey is particularly renowned for their premium vanilla extracts, pastes, and powders. These products are a staple in many kitchens, adding a rich and robust vanilla flavor to a wide range of baked goods and desserts.
- Sizes Available: 8 fl. oz., 32 fl. oz., and 1 gallon bottles
- All-Natural: Yes
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2. McCormick Culinary
Trusted among professional and home bakers alike for their high-quality baking ingredients, McCormick Culinary offers a diverse line of pure, non-GMO extracts and imitation extracts for those who have a specific preference. Providing both classic and exciting flavor options, their extracts are perfect for adding to both tried-and-true and experimental recipes.
- Sizes Available: 16 fl. oz. and 32 fl. oz. bottles
- All-Natural: All-natural and imitation flavors available
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3. LorAnn Oils
With a mix of traditional and unique flavors available, LorAnn Oils is a reliable brand trusted by cake decorators, bakers, candy makers, and pastry chefs. They offer a wide range of premium concentrated flavors, emulsions, and extracts so you can be sure you have the exact ingredients you need for your recipes. Their commitment to sourcing quality ingredients ensures a natural and authentic taste in every product.
- Sizes Available: 4 fl. oz., 16 fl. oz., and 1 gallon bottles
- All-Natural: Yes
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4. Shank’s
Shank's is a well-established extract and flavoring brand founded in 1899 and headquartered in Lancaster, PA. They offer a line of premium natural and artificial extracts that are a favorite among bakers. Their commitment to quality ingredients ensures that their extracts deliver a flavorful taste that truly shines in baked goods.
- Sizes Available: 8 fl. oz. and 32 fl. oz. bottles
- All-Natural: All-natural and imitation flavors available
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With just a small amount, extracts can effortlessly elevate the flavor of your baked goods. These concentrated liquids are packed with intense flavors that can transform a simple recipe into a culinary masterpiece. Whether you're looking to add a layer of richness to a vanilla cake, infuse a hint of citrus into your cookies, or boost the flavor of your chocolate creations, extracts are the secret ingredient that can take your baking to the next level.
