Extracts are alcohol-based flavorings. Both natural and artificial banana extracts are available, but like other flavorings, a higher-quality natural extract will provide a better flavor. Banana extract provides a strong punch of banana flavor without adding bulk to your recipe. Use banana extract to flavor cookies and cakes, or to perk up banana bread. Combine banana extract with other extracts, like vanilla or almond, to achieve a variety of flavors.
Step 1
Select your favorite recipe for quick bread or muffins for a traditional taste. Choose a yellow cake or brown sugar cookie recipe for a different twist on banana baking.
Step 2
Mix together the butter and sugar or oil and sugar your recipe calls for. Add eggs and blend well.
Step 3
Stir in 1 tsp. of banana extract, along with any other flavoring extracts you're using, like vanilla.
Step 4
Add dry ingredients, along with milk or any other liquids. If you've added 1 tsp. of banana extract without removing other extracts from the recipe, reduce any additional liquids by a 1 tsp. to preserve the ratios in the recipe. This is especially important for delicate cake recipes.
Step 5
Bake your banana bread, cookies or cake, following the recipe's suggested time.
Other Baking Uses
Step 1
Use banana extract to flavor icing, sugar syrup or cake fillings.
Step 2
Add 1/4 tsp. to 1 tsp. of banana extract to your usual buttercream frosting recipe.
Step 3
Mix 1 tsp. to 2 tsp. of banana extract into sugar syrup to brush onto a white, yellow or banana cake.
Step 4
Stir 1/2 tsp. to 1 tsp. of banana extract into cake filling, like pastry cream or whipped cream.
Tips and Warnings
- Imitation banana flavoring often has food coloring. Choose a clear, natural banana extract for white icing or other applications in which color matters. If your bananas for banana bread or muffins aren't as ripe as you'd like, banana extract can make up for their lack of flavor.
- Imitation banana flavor may have a distinct chemical taste. Sample it before you add it to your baked goods.
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