Baking and cooking are fun activities that you can enjoy with your children or as a way to wind down and relax after a long day. With Valentines Day coming up, baking something special for Mom, Dad and your special Valentine may be an awesome gift for you or the kids to share. With fine quality products, time and tenderness, you can make a fabulous sweet treat for your loved ones. Premium products like Nielsen-Massey Vanillas & Flavors can take your recipes from ho-hum to YUM.
I was able to check out some of their delicious products and just by opening the package, I knew there was something special going on! I was sent:
2 oz Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
2.5 oz Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Powder
2 oz Pure Almond Extract
This was going to be a fattening Good review to have to work on!
My hubby has been working on baking lately to keep him busy so I got him to try out some of these yummy products. So he sat down and found 2 delicious recipes that he could use these products with; an Almond Sugar Cookie and a Chewy Chocolate Cookie. So he got busy a few nights ago and whipped them up. You can see the pictures of the cookies that he made.
First out was the Almond Sugar Cookie. It is a soft disk that was nice and moist but the almond flavor from the Pure Almond Extract is what took it over the top. It was seriously good and reminded me so much of cookies my mom used to make. So good and simple! The basic ingredients with an awesome almond taste. This one is a keeper.
His next attempt was the Chewy Chocolate Cookie. When this was baking, you could just smell how good it was going to taste. The Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract from Nielsen-Massey that he used just invaded the house. These cookies were so soft and moist. They tasted like a brownie with a hint of vanilla. It is amazing what a pure flavored product can do over an artificially flavored item.
I have not yet used the Vanilla Powder, but with the recipe that Nielsen-Massey is sharing with us below, these are next on my list. They sounds amazing and I cannot wait to try them! How about you?
Crisp Vanilla Butter Cookies Recipe
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Powder
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chocolate pieces of choice
Directions:
Cream the butter, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla powder in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed. Add the eggs and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt on low speed until just blended. Place the dough on parchment paper and shape into a 12-inch long log. Chill for three to 24 hours.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat an insulated cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Cut the dough log into 1/4-inch-thick slices and place on the cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Place the cooled cookies on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
Place the chocolate pieces in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high for 15 seconds. Repeat at five-second intervals, stirring and checking the consistency. The chocolate is ready when it freely drips from the spoon in a fine line. Spoon the chocolate into a large plastic food storage bag. Twist the bag until the chocolate is in one corner and then trim the tip of the bag. Drizzle the chocolate over the cookies.
Variation: Add 1/2 teaspoon of any Nielsen-Massey Pure Flavor Extract, such as Chocolate, Almond, Lemon, Orange or Coffee, to the cookie dough to create a signature cookie.
Makes 2 dozen
This Valentines Day, whip up some tasty gifts for your loved one and check out the premium products that Nielsen-Massey offers. The pure flavor is awesome and will impress your loved ones for certain.
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Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
Oh, these look delicious and very easy to make! I’ve heard of this brand, but never tried it myself. I’m going to look at stores this week and try to make a purchase. Thanks for sharing the review and recipe.
I’ve been wanting to try the Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste
I absolute love their vanilla powder… when I lived in Europe…vanilla powder was super easy to find, and was in so many baked goods… once I found Nielsen-Massey’s, I was in heaven!
i’m glad to hear these were good, i’ve been thinking of trying them. i like to use flavorings in my smoothies and have tried quite a few, some good, some not so good, but so far none have been great. your review makes me think maybe these might be. thanks.
I love anything with vanilla in it. This one sounds really tasty!
I’d love to try these, they have a great reputation among chefs. I’d like to get the edge on competition and oooohhs and ahhhhhs from family get-togethers!
I never use Imitation vanilla , but I usea variety of real vanilla extracts including Nielsen-Massey vanilla. I have been wondering about their chocolate extract for an extra punch. Have you tried it yet?
How do you get drool off of a keyboard? Seriously yummy stuff.
In the past I used cheap vanilla, till I realized good quality vanilla definitely worth it. I haven’t heard of that particular brand, but would love to try it. Also hoping to try the recipe. I love baking cookies!!