can anything be substituted for coconut extract? like coconut milk, or shredded coconut? I found a new recipe i would like to try, but dont have any coconut extract...

I would not substitute the coconut milk for the extract due to the creaminess of the milk. I did read once that you could make your own extract with shredded coconut and vodka. I don't remember all the details, but you simmer the coconut in the vodka and strain it.

You can use the coconut milk instead of milk if the recipe calls for milk. I do it all of the time and it works the same! (Do not use the sweetened cream of coconut like what they use for pina coladas - use the unsweetened coconut milk for cooking). This gives it a very milk coconut flavour. You can add some shredded coconut for texture and extra flavour if you like.

You can also make a coconut simple syrup and brush on the cake as well - just add equal parts of water and sugar and bring it to a boil for a few minutes. Add the coconut and let it steep until cool. Then strain and use.

Hope that helps!

Its for cookies...no milk in the recipie, just sour cream. I wanted to try a recipie that i found for coconut cream pie cookies...would the syrup work for that?

Probably not - for cookies then I would get the extract or add shredded coconut to the cookie batter.