Vanilla extract...will using imitation in a cake recepie make big differece?

Pretty sure it won't. I don't even own real vanilla and no one has ever commented on the taste (well, except for good things).

Amber

Thank you!

I believe it makes a significant difference. Even better is real vanilla bean, but those can get kind of expensive. The only time I would use the imitation would be is if you need pure white. Otherwise always use the real vanilla.

I'm making my own vanilla .. thanks to dragonwarlord sharing his recipe with me I can't wait till it's ready and I get to try it !!

I think the best way to go is to use pure vanilla. Mexican vanilla tastes great in cakes and icing!
traci

I have bottles and bottles of that traci lol.. a co-worker's husband makes trips to Mexico for his work and they bring me back some when I need it .. I probably have 5 - 7 quart bottles of it .. lol

but I wanted to try making my own w/the vanilla beans.. I hear it's so good

I've never seen Mexican vanilla in a grocery store. Where do you find it? other than Mexico, that is!

oops! sorry!

Other than getting it from Mexico, I'm not sure where else it could be purchased beachcakes.

Well, I am only making a small egg free cake for one of my sons little friends so she can have cake as well. She is only 2. The recipie calls for vanilla extract, but I only have imitation. I am making a SpongeBob cake for the rest of us!

We have a store here in East Texas that is a Mexican import store, mainly home decorations and furniture. They take orders for vanilla--both regular and clear vanilla. I always order about 4 quarts of each. Everyone loves the taste--kind of a cinnamony vanilla taste.

I always use imitation and get nothing but positive feedback. I'll have to try the real stuff one of these days.

I can tell the difference in real and imitation. But I dont think it would cause a big prob with a customer.

Hi!
I have seen Mexican vanilla in the Mexican sectioin of the grocery stores. Or you could probably find it in a Mexican grocery store if there are some in your area. There are lots of those in my area and even huge Mexican sections of the normal grocery stores. But I guess it depends on how big the Mexican population is in your area.

Leslie

I make my own extract and you can taste the difference. I use it for baking and I always shake the bottle before hand to stir up all the tiny bean seeds?, I guess that's what they are. It tases nasty by itself, but is awesome in baking. I use clear vanilla in my frosting.

Joe

If the icing has to be white white...I use the clear imitation...But other than that I use pure bourbon vanilla...mmmmmm...
Happy baking,
cakegal

The other thing I like about mexican vanilla, is the price. I pay $6.95 for a quart.