10 Best Vanilla Extract Substitutes When You’re in a Pinch

We’re not shy about vanilla extract around here—we know just how good a glug will do when added to any sweet recipe! But what happens if you’re in the middle of baking your favorite cookies and realize that you’re out of vanilla? Don’t worry—while the flavor of vanilla is one of a kind, there are some other ingredients you can use as a vanilla extract substitute in a pinch.

Vanilla extract is kind of an amazing product. It’s made from vanilla beans or pods, which grow off certain species of orchids. The pods are picked when they’re green and then dried for up to six months. At this point, the beans get that familiar long shape and dark, wrinkly skin. Vanilla extract is then made when the pods are steeped in a mixture of water and alcohol to preserve their warm, sweet flavor. You can actually make your own extract at home with Ree Drummond’s formula: Fill a quart-size mason jar with about 16 vanilla beans, then fill the jar with brandy, and let it sit for about a month. This won’t save you in a pinch, but it’s a fun project and a great DIY gift idea!

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So, if you’re out of extract and you can’t wait a month to make your own, what do you do? The good news is that vanilla flavoring comes in lots of different forms nowadays, and there are many other ways to flavor recipes. Find some of the best vanilla extract substitutes here, then try them in desserts like Ree’s Favorite Sugar Cookies, Cookies ’n’ Creme Cupcakes, and Pumpkin Spice Muffins.

Vanilla Bean Paste

Ree is obsessed with this stuff! It comes in a small jar and it’s sweet, thick, and packed with tiny little vanilla seeds. It’s probably the best alternative on the list, especially when vanilla is a prominent flavor in the recipe like vanilla buttercream frosting. Plus, those little flecks will really stand out! Use it as a one-for-one swap.

Bourbon

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Many bourbons have a warm vanilla-like flavor. In fact, bourbon is often used to make vanilla extract. Try substituting it for vanilla in a recipe, one for one. You can also give brandy a try, too!

Vanilla Powder

You may have seen this powder as an add-in at your local coffee shop. Vanilla powder is just dried vanilla extract mixed with cornstarch, so its flavor is a little more mellow than the extract. You can use this as an even swap, though the vanilla flavor won’t be as pronounced.

Maple Syrup

Maple syrup doesn’t exactly taste like vanilla, but it’s warm and sweet, so it’s not a bad swap. Just don’t add too much or you’ll make your dish overly sweet, and it may mess up the recipe ratios.

Coffee

When making a chocolate treat that calls for vanilla extract like Ree’s Best Chocolate Sheet Cake, consider substituting instant coffee, espresso powder, or a little strongly brewed coffee. The coffee flavor will enhance the chocolate and make it taste richer and even more chocolatey.

Vanilla Rum

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Check your liquor cabinet: If you happen to have vanilla-flavored rum, it might just be the next best thing to extract. Use the same amount of rum as you would of vanilla extract.

Almond Extract

Though this won’t give you the flavor of vanilla, it will give your dessert some deliciously nutty notes, so you won’t miss the vanilla at all! Just remember to use a little—almond extract has a much stronger flavor than vanilla extract.

Honey

Of course, honey doesn’t taste much like vanilla, but a good honey will add a slight floral sweetness to baked goods in the same way that vanilla would. It’s a decent option if you want just a hint of flavor.

Vanilla-Flavored Milk

Vanilla-flavored almond, soy, or coconut milk can often replace the milk in a recipe and add those vanilla notes you would otherwise be missing. If the recipe doesn’t call for milk, you can still add it in place of the extract, but the flavor will be very subtle.

Vanilla Sugar

Much like making vanilla extract yourself, infusing sugar with vanilla is done in advance. But if you have it on hand, simply substitute the regular white sugar in your recipe with vanilla sugar to get right amount of flavor.

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