Exploring the Versatility of Almond Extract in Baking and Cooking

Making homemade vanilla extract may take a few weeks, but it’s worth the wait for its delicious flavor. Similarly, almond extract, made with Moroccan almonds, enhances puddings and sweets with a nutty taste. Often used in baked goods, almond extract can substitute amaretto in cakes, cookies, and candies.

To make homemade almond extract, blanch 15 almonds by boiling them for exactly one minute. Use a pint-sized mason jar for the process, and additional jars for long-term storage. The recipe also includes ingredients like sweet almond oil, glycerin, cocoa seed butter, and various extracts and emulsifiers, contributing to its unique flavor profile.

In baking, almond extract pairs well with various ingredients. For instance, combining flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt with buttermilk creates a smooth batter when mixed with wet ingredients like milk, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Almond extract also complements other recipes, like sweetened condensed milk with Irish whiskey, heavy cream, chocolate syrup, and coffee granules.

Not just for sweets, almond extract adds a special touch to savory dishes as well. It’s ideal for recipes like trout with almonds, Bakewell tart, Tarta de Santiago, macaroons, and frangipane tart. The extract’s versatility extends to soups, stews, and curries, enhancing them with a subtle, nutty undertone.

Almond oil, a key component in almond extract, is rich in poly and monounsaturated fatty acids, mainly oleic acid, and contains significant amounts of tocopherol and phytosterol. This composition contributes to the almond extract’s health benefits and distinct flavor.

In summary, almond extract, with its nutty and sweet taste, is a valuable addition to both sweet and savory recipes, elevating the flavor profile of various dishes.

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