Vanilla extract is one of those pantry staples we don’t think much about—until we suddenly need it. Whether you’re halfway through a cookie recipe or baking a birthday cake and realize you’re out, don’t stress. There are plenty of vanilla extract substitutes out there, and chances are, you already have a few of them on hand. From dark liquors like rum and bourbon to pantry sweeteners like maple syrup and even almond extract, these easy swaps can add warmth, depth, and just the right touch of something special to your favorite bakes. Ahead, we’re breaking down the best alternatives to vanilla extract—and exactly how to use them.
Why You Can (and Should) Sometimes Skip the Vanilla
By now, you’ve probably been told once or twice to make your own vanilla extract. (One of those times may or may not have been by us.) Recipes tell you how easy-breezy it is to DIY the solution, which is essentially just vanilla pods soaked in alcohol. Just buy vanilla beans, split down the center, stuff in a jar, drown in booze (most people use vodka; bourbon is fair game, too).
But what if I told you that I have an even easier method for homemade extract: You just, well, skip the vanilla.
Hear me out. American baking has its chosen ingredients: There’s cinnamon, which shows up everywhere (even when it’s not invited). And vanilla, which is so overworked and ubiquitous that many equate it with “plain”—the absence, versus the addition, of a flavor. So unfair to vanilla. Often, it shines on its own accord (these recipes will convince you!). Other times, it’s there by default—a wee teaspoon, just because. That’s when you should let bourbon sneak in.
Maybe you don’t even notice. Maybe you like it even more!
What’s more: Most vanilla extract is pricey. (Eater did a great deep dive on the beans’ price spike following a cyclone in Madagascar, the world’s leading producer of the ingredient.) You know how buying in bulk saves you money? Go into your kitchen and find the vanilla extract. Now find the bourbon. Which bottle is bigger? Seems silly, right? The price difference does, too: Most vanilla extract you’ll find in a supermarket costs between $2.50 and $6 per ounce. A mid-shelf bourbon, on the other hand, would cost less than a $1 per ounce.
Our Number one trick
Here are the rules:
- Use a dark alcohol with a distinct personality. My go-to spirits are dark rum, bourbon, and brandy. You can use whichever brand you have on hand—no need to use something fancy, here. (If you have none of the above, you could try almond extract or maple syrup, too.)
- Simply swap out the vanilla extract and replace with 1 to 2 times that amount in alcohol. Example: If a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, replace with 1 to 2 teaspoons dark rum. (If you go the almond extract route, halve the amount of vanilla—so for 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, swap in 1/2 teaspoon almond extract.)
And that’s it! Now give it a whirl. Here are some recipes and the alcohols you can sub in for vanilla extract. Even better than the original? You tell me.
1. Swap in Dark Rum
Dark rum is an obvious choice for a vanilla extract substitute. It’s smoky-sweet, a little spicy, and loves to be paired with both rich and tart flavors (this is why piña coladas are so good!). Speaking of which, when thinking of how best to swap vanilla for booze, why not keep in mind the flavors that shine in a rum-based cocktail? Try dark rum instead of vanilla in these treats, which lean into rich coconut, warming spices, and floral fruit:
Padma Lakshmi’s Clouds of Cardamom & Cashew Cookies
These buttery, crumbly cookies are made with rich ground cashews and cardamom.
Violet’s Pineapple-Coconut Cake
This super-moist, sweet cake has crushed pineapple in the batter and is coated in a sticky caramel frosting.
Mango-Lime Trifle with Brown Butter Cake
Pair zingy mango-lime puree with thick pastry cream, whipped cream, and a nutty brown butter cake—it’s a dessert fit for any season.
2. Swap in Bourbon
Bourbon swapped in for vanilla is another easy solution. Many actually describe vanilla as a primary flavor in the sweet spirit. Caramel, maple, chocolate, and butterscotch are other notes people pick up on in bourbon, so it would only make sense for it to shine when splashed into recipes featuring those ingredients. Ditch the vanilla and try bourbon in these desserts (you won’t be sorry):
Brown Butter Blondies
Fudgy, chocolate-stuffed blondies taste like caramel thanks to brown sugar and deeply browned butter.
Teddie’s Apple Cake
This moist, cinnamon-kissed apple cake is just as welcome at breakfast with a scoop of yogurt as it is after dinner, with plenty of vanilla ice cream.
Chocolate Chess Pie
Ooey-gooey chess pie gets a chocolate twist here, making it ideal for colder weather dessert tables.
3. Swap in Brandy
Syrupy, fruity, barely sweet brandy is one of those bottles I buy and promptly forget about. While I don’t pour myself a snifter of the stuff regularly (er, ever?) the bottle remains in the back of my liquor cabinet, just in case. One of those cases? Running out of vanilla extract. I’ll opt for a splash of brandy instead of vanilla in super-creamy desserts to cut through some of that richness. These recipes are a great place to start:
Hannah Bronfman’s No Cook Chocolate Mousse
Don’t let the avocado factor spook you: this is the creamiest, richest chocolate mousse. Who needs the heavy cream?
Clementine Chocolate Lava Cakes
Rich, chocolate-y, olive oil-kissed lava cakes are petite, but pack a punch. Still, they couldn’t be easier to pop in the oven when you’re craving a cake.
Our Best Vanilla Ice Cream
Make this classic, egg yolk-enriched ice cream to keep in the freezer at all times.
4. Try Maple Syrup or Honey
Natural sweeteners like maple syrup and honey add warm, rich notes that can mimic the depth of vanilla—especially in cookies, quick breads, or muffins. Use a 1:1 swap for vanilla extract, keeping in mind these will add a touch of sweetness (so scale back sugar slightly if needed). Bonus: They’re alcohol-free.
5. Use Almond Extract (or Another Extract)
Almond extract has a strong, nutty aroma that works well in place of vanilla in many desserts—especially fruit-forward or nutty bakes. Just use half the amount, since it’s more concentrated. You can also try hazelnut, orange, or even coconut extract for something more unexpected.
6. Sub in Vanilla Powder or Paste
If you’re out of liquid vanilla extract but happen to have vanilla powder or vanilla bean paste, you’re in luck—these are even more flavor-packed. Use 1:1 for paste, and slightly less for powder. These options shine in custards, frostings, and cakes where you want that signature vanilla flavor front and center. Although, we’re guessing if you’re here you don’t have those either, but maybe!
7. Try Espresso Powder or Instant Coffee
This might sound like a curveball, but a pinch of espresso powder or instant coffee can deepen chocolate-based recipes much like vanilla does. It won’t taste like coffee—just richer. Use about 1/4 teaspoon in place of 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, especially in brownies or chocolate cakes.
8. Use Spices Like Cinnamon or Cardamom
In warm baked goods like banana bread or spice cookies, adding a dash of ground cinnamon, cardamom, or even nutmeg can fill in for vanilla’s aromatic role. They won’t replicate vanilla’s flavor exactly, but they’ll bring complexity and warmth.
9. Skip It Entirely
If vanilla isn’t the star of the show, you might be fine leaving it out altogether. In recipes packed with spices, citrus, or bold ingredients like peanut butter or chocolate, skipping vanilla may not make a huge difference—especially in a pinch.
What About Vanilla-Flavored Milk (Like Almond or Oat)?
In recipes like pancakes or custards where liquid is involved, using a vanilla-flavored plant milk can subtly replace that missing note. It’s not super concentrated, so it won’t be a perfect 1:1—but it can help round out the flavor if you’re in a pinch. We wouldn’t recommend this in doughs or cake batters.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated in April 2025 to include even more smart substitutions & recipes
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Have you ever tried this trick before? Let us know in the comments below!
