Best Baking Extracts of 2026

"I always reach for Watkins Vanilla when baking because of its wonderfully rich and pure flavor. The ingredients are top-notch, and it's a trusted brand I've come to rely on. This has become a kitchen staple for my cookies, cakes, and other desserts."

"The almond extract from Watkins is fantastic! It elevates my desserts with a great almond taste, and I appreciate the clear color and fair price. It's a lovely addition to my baking routine."

"I managed to find Watkins Pure Mint Extract online after failing to locate it in stores. It made my Mint Nanaimo Bars incredibly delicious—a big improvement over the mixed extract I used before. This is now my go-to mint extract for desserts."

"I've tried many vanillas, but this one stands out as the best-tasting and most affordable I've ever used. Even though it's not 100% pure, it actually tastes better than real vanilla to me. Absolutely in love with it!"

"I'm thrilled with this twin pack! The deep, rich Mexican vanilla flavor really elevates everything I bake. The value is unbeatable—over 33 ounces means I never worry about running out during the busy baking season. I use it in cookies, cakes, coffee, and more. Highly recommend for anyone who bakes a lot."

"The scent and flavor are phenomenal! I use it for baking, and a little in my scent pots fills my home with a warm, sweet vanilla aroma. The generous 2-pack is perfect. If you love real vanilla, you need to try this."

"I've tried a range of vanilla extracts, but McCormick always wins for its affordable price, consistent flavor, and reliable quality. The scent is incredible, and the flavor never varies from bottle to bottle. I appreciate that the taste is pure vanilla, not overwhelmed by alcohol, and the plastic bottle is durable. No matter what else I try, I keep coming back to this brand."

"As someone who bakes a lot, I love having a big bottle of good-quality vanilla at a reasonable price. I've ordered several times, and even when there was a minor issue with a broken seal and some leakage, customer service quickly refunded me. Definitely recommend it for anyone who wants value and reliability."

"If you're serious about baking, this is the real deal. The moment you open the bottle, the warm, rich scent fills your kitchen, and a little goes a long way. I've used it in everything from cookies to coffee, and it always delivers. Sure, it's pricier than imitation, but the quality and flavor are worth it—your baked goods will never taste like regret."

"I've been buying this vanilla for years and honestly, I can't see myself switching to another brand. The quality is just unmatched, and the taste it adds to my hot chocolate and desserts is incredible. The glass bottle is a nice touch, too."

"As someone who bakes a lot, I always reach for this vanilla extract. It truly elevates the flavor of everything I make, and you can absolutely tell the difference in both aroma and taste compared to the generic supermarket brands. Definitely worth every penny."

"My wife is a passionate baker and uses this pure vanilla every year for her desserts. The flavor really shines, especially in her rice crispy treats, where it adds a rich, natural taste without being overpowering. Even though it's a bit pricey, it lasts a long time because a little goes a long way."

"This vanilla extract is now my go-to because it's budget-friendly and delivers an authentic vanilla flavor. I'm impressed by the quality for the price and would definitely recommend it to others who want a good, simple baking staple."

"I've used up a whole bottle and found it to be a solid pantry staple with a flavor that works well in everything I bake. Plus, it's the most reasonably priced option I've come across."

"While this extract is far better than imitation vanilla and perfect for cookies and brownies, I still prefer McCormick for recipes where vanilla is the star. But for the price, it's a great choice for most baked goods."

"I've switched from stevia to this monk fruit sweetener because it contains no fillers or erythritol, which is important to me. The flavor is great, and I didn't notice any aftertaste. The included scoop makes it easy to use, and even though it's a bit costly, I see it as a much healthier alternative. I’m already on my second bag!"

"After trying several blends with sugar alcohols that upset my stomach, I’m thrilled to have found this pure monk fruit powder. It’s zero glycemic and doesn’t affect my blood sugar at all. I love that there are no additives, and with some experimentation on the dosage, it sweetens my drinks perfectly. For anyone who wants a clean sweetener, this is a winner."

"I was hesitant because of the price, but a little bit truly goes a long way, so the small pouch lasts much longer than I expected. It tastes great and doesn’t have the fake aftertaste I got from stevia. I wish I’d tried this sooner—it’s totally worth it."

"As a tea lover trying to avoid sugar and sugar alcohols, I found this monk fruit extract to be a game changer. A few drops made my tea sweet and enjoyable without any odd aftertaste or digestive discomfort. It took a couple of tries to get the sweetness just right, but now I can genuinely enjoy my tea again—just like I did with real sugar."

"I was searching for a pure, healthier sweetener without chemical additives or blends and discovered this monk fruit extract. It has a clean ingredient list and adds just the right amount of sweetness to my herbal teas, with no bitterness. I appreciate knowing exactly what's in it."

"I love that this sweetener is easy to carry for use in coffee or tea when dining out, and it tastes great—just like real sugar but without the chemicals. It's also versatile enough that I use the powdered form for baking. Definitely a better choice than artificial sweeteners!"

"As someone who bakes regularly and loves experimenting with desserts, I find the pleasantly sweet flavor and outstanding value of this clear imitation vanilla truly impressive. The fact that it won’t tint my white frosting is a huge advantage. I appreciate the generous bottle size, and the clear formulation keeps my creations pristine. This extract has become a must-have staple in my kitchen."

"I bought this mainly for my daughter’s birthday cake, which needed clear vanilla to maintain a pure white color in the frosting. The classic, nostalgic vanilla taste reminds me of my mom’s bakery days. While I wish the flavor lasted longer after opening, the price for such a large bottle is unbeatable. I would definitely purchase it again for special occasions or large batches."

"As a small business baker, I need ingredients that are reliable and cost-effective. This clear imitation vanilla is perfect because it delivers great flavor without altering the color of my buttercream. The price-to-quantity ratio is fantastic, and it’s a solid choice when I want to save my more expensive vanilla paste for specialty recipes."

"I was skeptical about trying the Amazon brand because I usually stick with name brands or trusted small companies, but I was pleasantly surprised. This almond extract rivals the major brands in both taste and quality, and it’s a great value. I especially love how it enhances my almond cookies. Highly recommend for desserts and pastries."

"This almond extract is a staple in my baking routine. The flavor is rich and natural, and just a little goes a long way. It blends smoothly into cakes, cookies, and even homemade marzipan. The price and quality can’t be beat—I’ll definitely buy again."

"When I swapped out vanilla for this almond extract in my cranberry glazed bundt coffee cake, everyone raved about the new flavor. The almond aroma is outstanding, and it delivers just the right taste in both the cake and the glaze. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to elevate their baked goods."