Flavoring with Extracts & Oils

The two most common types of flavoring used in making icings and cakes are extracts and oils. Most recipes call for using extracts. However, flavored oils can be substituted or used in addition to extracts. What is the difference between the two and how is each one used?

Extracts

Extracts are concentrated flavors. They come in two forms-pure and artificial. Pure extracts will always produce better flavor overall than artificial extracts.

You can always substitute artificial for pure in a recipe, but keep in mind that the flavor will not be as strong.

Here are the most common extracts used in making icings and cakes:

• Vanilla
• Butter
• Almond
• Lemon
• Orange

You can find these extracts in every grocery store in the baking section.

Vanilla is used in almost every icing recipe there is. Keep in mind that using pure vanilla extract will tint your icing ivory and off-white in color. If you need to make snow white icing, use clear artificial vanilla instead.

Creme Bouquet

Creme bouquet is a flavoring used in white or vanilla cakes to enhance the flavor. Use about 1 Tablespoon per white cake recipe. 

Oil Flavors

Oils are stronger and more concentrated than extracts. If a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of extract, you will only use about 5 drops or 1/4 teaspoon of oil flavoring.

Using oils is also a great way to enhance flavors like lemon, orange, or strawberry in a recipe. Add about 2-3 drops or 1/8 teaspoon along with your extract to give your flavor a boost.

They also come in a variety of flavors that are not found or are hard to find in extracts. 
Some uniques flavors are:

• Mint chocolate chip
• Champagne
• Amaretto
• Root Beer
• Eggnog
• Peanut Butter
• Lemonade
• Pineapple
• Coconut
• Peaches and Cream
  

You can also find basic flavors

• Cherry
• Strawberry
• Peppermint
• Chocolate
• Grape
• Raspberry
  
• and more
  

Try experimenting with different oils and oil combinations in your cakes and icings. For instance, try chocolate cupcakes with mint chocolate chip buttercream frosting. Add 5-8 drops of mint chocolate chip oil to a white cake recipe for the cupcakes. Make your buttercream frosting and add about 5 drops of mint chocolate chip oil.

It is a very easy way to make gourmet flavored cupcakes and cakes at home.

You can usually find oil flavorings in cake decorating stores or candy, cake decorating sections in retail stores. Of course it is available online easily also.