Vanilla is one of America's most popular flavorings. It's derived from the seed pods of orchids and is used frequently in baked goods. Most often, bakers use vanilla in the form of vanilla extract.
But what do you do if you don't have any of those cute little brown bottles on your shelf? Substitute a bigger brown bottle of something else.
In a pinch, you can use maple syrup in place of vanilla extract. The difference in flavor will be slight, you might be more likely to have it on hand, and it's cheaper.
You're best off using pure maple syrup, but if you don't have that, the more common pancake syrups will work as well.
According to Buzzle.com, you should use equal parts maple syrup to vanilla extract (1 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon). But if your recipe also calls for sugar, consider decreasing the amount of sugar you use in the recipe since the maple syrup contains a lot of sugar already.
If you don't have maple syrup, you can also substitute vanilla extract by using half the amount of either almond extract or maple extract (½ teaspoon almond or maple extract for every teaspoon of vanilla extract).
Tracy Briggs has more than 35 years of experience, in broadcast, print, and digital journalism.
FAQs
In a pinch, you can use maple syrup in place of vanilla extract. The difference in flavor will be slight, you might be more likely to have it on hand, and it's cheaper. You're best off using pure maple syrup, but if you don't have that, the more common pancake syrups will work as well.
Is maple syrup a good substitute for vanilla extract? ›
Pure maple syrup has a rich, sweet flavor profile that makes it an excellent vanilla extract alternative. It can also add moisture and binding properties to baked goods. Be sure to use pure maple syrup instead of imitation syrup.
How much maple syrup for 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract? ›
Since the flavor of maple syrup is slightly different than vanilla, start with a 1:1 swap. To up the maple flavor, try 2:1 instead.
What happens if I don't use vanilla extract? ›
If you don't have any on hand, you can almost always omit the vanilla without impacting the final texture of your baked goods; although the rich flavor extract—or any form of vanilla—brings will certainly be altered.
Does maple syrup taste like vanilla extract? ›
Vanilla extract and maple syrup differ primarily in flavor; vanilla has a warm, floral aroma while maple syrup offers a rich, caramel-like sweetness.
Can I use cinnamon instead of vanilla extract? ›
If vanilla isn't the star of your recipe, it's likely added to create depth of flavor. Try swapping in another spice, like cinnamon, cardamom or nutmeg. These spices can be strong, so we recommend starting with a pinch.
Does vanilla extract go bad? ›
What is the shelf life of my vanilla extract? When stored properly, vanilla extract will keep indefinitely, but using it within five years will allow for best flavor and aroma. Do not refrigerate or freeze, even after opening.
Can you use honey as a substitute for vanilla extract? ›
Maple Syrup or Honey
Its rich and sweet flavor makes a decent vanilla bean substitute and a great vanilla extract substitute. Honey's floral and bright sweetness is delightful in recipes like blondies, muffins, quick breads, cakes, and cookies.
Why can't you drink vanilla extract? ›
The alcohol level of flavoring extracts like vanilla is enough to lead to central nervous system depression, just like if you were drinking hard alcohol. This means: You may start to feel your breathing slow down and grow more shallow. You'll also experience symptoms like dilated pupils and a warming sensation.
Why is vanilla extract legal? ›
Vanilla extract doesn't just rely on alcohol to extract the essential flavors and fragrances from the vanilla bean and suspend them in a stable solution—it's also required by law to have an alcohol content of at least 35 percent.
Maple extract – Use half as much maple extract as vanilla extract. This is a great substitute in pancakes, waffles, french toast, blondies, or oatmeal cookies. Almond extract – Use half as much almond extract as vanilla extract.
What to use instead of vanilla extract in French toast? ›
Use maple syrup or honey in place of vanilla for a rich, sweet taste. Maple syrup is a common substitute for vanilla because they have a similar flavor profile. Honey is also often used in place of vanilla, although it has its own unique taste.
Why do I taste like maple syrup? ›
Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is inherited, which means it is passed down through families. It is caused by a defect in 1 of 3 genes. People with this condition cannot break down the amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine. This leads to a buildup of these chemicals in the blood.
Do vanilla and maple go together? ›
Vanilla and maple have a special affinity for one another. Each enhances the other's flavor. They're both foods of the Americas, so that might have something to do with it.
What to do if you forgot to add vanilla extract? ›
If you have forgotten to add vanilla extract; you can always make a vanilla flavored glaze and brush it over the cake while the cake is still warm. Give the cake repeat brushings over the following 24 hours to build up a good layer of flavour.
What can I use instead of vanilla syrup? ›
If vanilla flavor is a definite requirement, you'll want to add a tiny bit of vanilla extract. If your recipe is more flexible, you can use other sweeteners like plain simple syrup, other flavored syrups, or even natural liquid sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
Does vanilla extract taste the same as vanilla syrup? ›
Vanilla syrup is much sweeter than vanilla extract, due to the addition of sugar. It also has a thicker consistency, more like honey. Whereas, vanilla extract is less sweet and has a thinner consistency, like water.
