Vanilla Extract Substitutes

Try one of these cheap and easy vanilla extract alternatives the next time you run out of vanilla. They’re perfect for adding flavor to all your favorite baked goods!

Have you noticed that the price of vanilla extract goes up and down (but often stays up)?

That’s because most vanilla beans are grown in one region, it takes over a year for the plants to mature, and natural disasters like cyclones can sometimes wipe out a large portion of the vanilla bean crop.

Add in increased demand for actual vanilla bean pods (not the imitation vanilla flavoring at the store), and you’ve got a recipe for high prices.

With the amount of baking and cooking that we real foodies do (especially around the holiday season), pure vanilla extract can be a massive blow to the budget, even if you make your own vanilla extract.

Fear not! Let me explain what you can use as a substitute for vanilla extract. Guaranteed, you already have at least one of these vanilla extract alternatives in your kitchen!

WHY DO YOU NEED VANILLA EXTRACT ALTERNATIVES?

Why do we even need to sub for vanilla extract – can’t we just skip it? No! Here’s why you need the vanilla (or one of these vanilla extract substitutes):

• Flavor. Vanilla adds depth and complexity to the flavor. You get hints of sweetness, plus floral and aromatic notes. I promise, even if you don’t notice specific flavor profiles like that, you’ll still notice that the flavor isn’t quite as good without the vanilla.
• Helps the OTHER flavors. Like salt, vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors in a dish.
• Sweetness. Vanilla tricks your brain into thinking something is sweeter than it actually is without adding more sugar.
• Balance. Whether you’re trying to mellow out bold or bitter flavors or mask the smell of eggs (really!), vanilla helps.

Skipping vanilla means your baked goods might taste a little bit flat and less rich – you’ll still be able to make good cookies or cakes, but not great.

15 VANILLA EXTRACT SUBSTITUTES

So, what can I use instead of vanilla extract? Try one of these vanilla extract alternatives! You can even us a combination of vanilla extract alternatives if needed. Your next batch of cookies will be so happy!

1. VANILLA POWDER

I’ve purchased this vanilla powder in the past, so don’t let the price deter you. It’s essentially ground vanilla beans. Even when I intentionally make vanilla bean everything (i.e., Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Vanilla Coffee Creamer, and Vanilla Bean Scones), my one bag is STILL halfway full.

When you’re only using ½ to 1 teaspoon at a time, one bag will last a LONG time. Use half of the amount of vanilla called for in a recipe.

2. VANILLA-INFUSED MILK

I like this idea because it’s so versatile AND dairy picks up flavors really well.

• First, combine milk and vanilla beans in a pot on the stove. How much you use of each depends on how strong you want it to be, but remember that you can dilute the milk if the flavor is too strong and balance that against the expiration date too…
• Next, bring the milk and vanilla just to a simmer. As soon as you see bubbles start to foam on top, turn it off and let it sit until it cools.
• Finally, strain out the vanilla beans and dry them off, and you can use them again (store them in the fridge)! Use the infused milk as a 1:1 substitute instead of liquid extract.

3. PLANT-BASED VANILLA MILK

Vanilla almond milk is a great way to get vanilla flavor without jumping through a lot of hoops. You’ll want to use this instead of some of the liquid in a recipe… if a recipe calls for milk or water, use this instead!

4. VANILLA SUGAR

This is probably the most common substitute for vanilla essence, but it’s not my first preference since it’s sugar. But if you already have it on hand, use it! You’ll need 3 times as much vanilla sugar to replace vanilla extract, so be sure to reduce the amount of sugar in your recipe appropriately.

5. ALMOND EXTRACT

You definitely can use a different flavor extract in place of vanilla extract. Almond extract has a stronger flavor, so use half as much as you would of vanilla. Also know that you’re more likely to taste the almond flavor in the end. This may or may not be a big deal, but I wanted to let you know!

6. MAPLE SYRUP

When you’re using only 1 teaspoon in a dozen muffins, no one will notice the difference in taste. Use an equal amount of pure maple syrup if you go this route.

7. HONEY

Similar to maple syrup, you can use honey instead of vanilla extract, too! Add 1 Tablespoon per teaspoon of vanilla called for in the recipe.

8. VANILLA-FLAVORED LIQUEUR

Think of the flavor shots that you’d see when a bartender makes a drink from scratch. There are a handful of brands out there, but with the cost of vanilla so high, it might be worth it to keep a bottle of vanilla-flavored liqueur in the liquor cabinet.

Vanilla extract is made from liquor anyway (usually vodka, rum, or brandy), so the alcohol content is a moot point. Plus, most of the alcohol evaporates out during the baking process.

If you use vanilla-flavored liqueur as a vanilla extract substitute, use the same amount that is called for in the recipe.

9. VANILLA-FLAVORED SYRUPS

These are more like the sweetened coffee flavoring syrups you’d see at Starbucks. They are really condensed vanilla-flavored sugar, so you’ll want to lower the sweetener in the recipe – possibly significantly. These would probably be better suited for recipes where the wet/dry ratio isn’t so volatile, like in Black Bean Brownies or No-Bake Cookies, or in any liquid recipe where the texture won’t be affected.

10. VANILLA ICE CREAM

If you’re using vanilla extract to make frozen desserts anyway (i.e., milkshakes or floats or frozen yogurt), then just use vanilla ice cream instead!

11. BOURBON

Bourbon has a dark, smoky flavor that’s very similar to vanilla and would complement rich baked goods like pecan pie, chocolate cake (made from Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix), Ginger Snaps, or Molasses Breakfast Cookies. Use twice as much bourbon as the amount of vanilla called for in recipes.

12. BRANDY

Brandy is sweeter than bourbon and would lend itself well to baked goods like Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins or Pumpkin Bread. You could even try it instead of vanilla in homemade buttercream frosting!

Use twice the amount called for in recipes and, like bourbon, I’d only use this in recipes that call for a small amount of vanilla extract!

13. OTHER SPICES

The whole point of using vanilla is to impart a flavor, but there are other spices that would work well as a vanilla extract substitute. Instead of using vanilla, try adding cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or a chai spice mix. Don’t let the need for vanilla extract get in the way – use it as an avenue to try something different!

14. VANILLA TEA

The best results will come from using the tea powder itself, but you can also brew really strong tea. This probably won’t work in every baking situation, but like using other spices, it will work in a pinch, and you might create something you really love!

15. MAKE RECIPES THAT DON’T REQUIRE VANILLA

This isn’t easy, since vanilla seems to be in EVERYTHING, but be mindful as you try recipes and aim for ones that use very little, if any, vanilla extract if you don’t have much vanilla on hand.

WHAT NOT TO SUB FOR VANILLA EXTRACT

Although there are plenty of options to swap for vanilla extract, there are two big DON’TS when it comes to vanilla alternatives:

Don’t buy imitation vanilla.

The main ingredient for imitation vanilla is synthetic vanillin, which is a cheap vanilla-like flavor derived from a petrochemical process. It’s much better to stick with the real thing!

Don’t start omitting vanilla.

Vanilla is to baked goods as coffee is to chocolate – it brings out the best in the other flavors. If you omit it entirely, your end result might not turn out too tasty, and you’ll waste more money than you would have if you had just used the vanilla in the first place. It’s best to try one of the many alternative vanilla extract ideas above rather than omitting it altogether.

ALTERNATIVE VANILLA EXTRACT TIPS AND TRICKS

Looking for more alternative vanilla extract ideas? Try making vanilla extract (or vanilla substitutes) yourself!

• Did you know that you can save up to 77% by making homemade vanilla extract? Here’s the full tutorial on how to make Homemade Vanilla Extract. You only need three things: vanilla beans, liquor, and a jar. Set it in the pantry and voila, vanilla extract!
• If you happen to have any spare vanilla beans (from making homemade vanilla extract), you can make your own vanilla bean powder! Here’s how:
  • Grind up used vanilla beans in a cheap coffee grinder like this one and BOOM. Homemade vanilla bean powder, ready to substitute for vanilla extract using HALF the amount. That means if your recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, you’ll use ½ teaspoon of vanilla powder.
• You can also make your own homemade vanilla syrup if you have vanilla beans.
  • Add ½ cup water and ½ cup sugar to a small saucepan.
  • Split a vanilla bean in half and add it to the mixture.
  • Let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, and you can use it as a 1:1 substitution for vanilla extract!

SUBSTITUTE FOR VANILLA ESSENCE FAQS

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