34 Recipes That Use Almond Extract (2024)

Home Recipes Ingredients Almonds

ByCaroline Stanko

Taste of Home's Editorial Process

Updated: Sep. 06, 2023

Use up that bottle of almond extract hiding in your pantry with these delightfully nutty recipes.

1/34

Italian Rainbow Cookies

My family has made these classic almond-flavored Italian rainbow cookies for generations, and this homemade version is so much better than the bakery version. They are always a special treat during the holidays or any time of year! —Cindy Casazza, Hopewell, New Jersey

Go to Recipe

2/34

Almond Pillow Cookies

Family and friends can’t resist buttery cookies with a soft almond center. The confectioners’ sugar on top looks like a dusting of snow. —Laura McDowell, Lake Villa, Illinois

Go to Recipe

3/34

Homemade Irish Cream

Add some creamy goodness to your cup of joe with a splash or two of this homemade Irish cream. —Marcia Severson, Hallock, Minnesota

Go to Recipe

4/34

I created this pineapple sour cream coffee cake recipe for a contest at the Los Angeles County Fair in the 1980s. My kids were very proud of me when my name was called for first place. The cake would be the perfect partner for morning coffee or it’d be a delightful dessert with a scoop of ice cream. —Marina Castle-Kelley, Canyon Country, California

Go to Recipe

5/34

Macaroon Bars

Guests will never recognize the refrigerated crescent roll dough that goes into these almond-flavored bars. You can assemble the chewy coconut treats in no time. —Carolyn Kyzer, Alexander, Arkansas

Go to Recipe

6/34

Bing Cherry-Amaretti Fool

When Bing cherries are in season, I make this fruity custard-style fool. The sweet cherries and whipped cream balance perfectly with the sour cream. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York

Go to Recipe

7/34

Creamy Lemon Almond Pastries

I love lemon filled doughnuts when I can find them. This recipe brings the concept to a new level by placing the filling into a baked beignet and enhancing it with a bit of almond flavoring and toasted almonds. The result? Sunshine in a bite. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Go to Recipe

8/34

Taste of Home

Cranberry Orange Almond Quick Bread

You can customize this bread to your family's specific tastes. Try dried apricots and pecans, or dried blueberries and hazelnuts. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Go to Recipe

Almond Raspberry Stars

The first Christmas that I baked these, I ended up quickly making a second batch! The whole family enjoyed them. —Darlene Weaver, Lebanon, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

10/34

Delicious Almond Braids

Similar to an almond crescent, this coffee cake is light and flaky with a rich almond center. It’s versatile, so you can serve it for dessert, breakfast or brunch. It tastes as if it came from a high-end bakery, but packaged puff pastry dough makes it easy. —Gina Idone, Staten Island, New York

Go to Recipe

11/34

Taste of Home

Cranberry-Almond Pound Cake

When you want an extra-special dessert for the holidays, it’s hard to beat a seasonal homemade cake. I like to drizzle mine with a simple but elegant glaze flavored with amaretto. —Jackie Howell, Tucson, Arizona

Go to Recipe

12/34

Chewy Almond Cookies

My children and grandchildren adore these old-fashioned cookies, and they make a good unfrosted choice for a holiday cookie plate. But they’re wonderful year-round, too—I even keep unbaked dough in my freezer so I can whip up a batch whenever my family comes for a visit. —Betty Speth, Vincennes, Indiana

Go to Recipe

13/34

Almond Blondies

These make a nice change from the typical chocolate brownie. When I bake up a batch, they disappear quickly at my house. —Cindy Pruitt, Grove, Oklahoma

Go to Recipe

14/34

Here’s an all-around great bread for any season. The red bursts of cranberry lend every slice extra appeal for Christmastime. —Rosemary Johnson, Irondale, Alabama

Go to Recipe

15/34

Almond Cherry Fudge

Cooked in the microwave, this fast fudge is a sweet addition to any holiday gathering. I make it when I need a quick treat for a school party or to take to a neighbor. —Shellie Tucker, Hendersonvlle, Tennessee

Go to Recipe

16/34

Almond Spritz Cookies

This almond spritz cookies recipe can be left plain or decorated with colored sugar and frosting. In our house, it just wouldn't be Christmas without some cookie press recipes.—Tanya Hart, Muncie, Indiana

Go to Recipe

17/34

Luscious Almond Cheesecake

I received this recipe along with a set of springform pans from a cousin at my wedding shower 11 years ago. It makes a heavenly cheesecake. My son Tommy has already told me he wants it again for his birthday cake this year. —Brenda Clifford, Overland Park, Kansas

Go to Recipe

18/34

Almond Tea Cakes

When I have time—usually in the winter—I love to bake. I make these tea cakes every Christmas, double the recipe and freeze half for later. —Janet Fennema Ringelberg, Troy, Ontario

Go to Recipe

19/34

Hot Almond N Cream Drink

Just a few sips of this drink, with its rich almond flavor, will warm you up in a hurry. I'm the food service manager for a Christian camp and it's a favorite each year at our Christmas party. —Kaye Kirsch, Bailey, Colorado

Go to Recipe

20/34

Cherry Almond Mousse Pie

Treat your loved ones to a luscious pie with chocolate, cherries and nuts in a creamy vanilla mousse. It's a sweet yet refreshing dessert. —Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas

Go to Recipe

21/34

Taste of Home

Apple Betty with Almond Cream

I love making this apple betty for friends during the peak of apple season. I plan a quick soup and bread meal, so we can get right to the dessert! —Elizabeth Godecke, Chicago, Illinois

Go to Recipe

22/34

Taste of Home

Chocolate Almond Cake

Fluffy white homemade frosting tops this rich chocolate almond cake. Sliced toasted almonds on top add a little crunch. —Sherri Gentry, Dallas, Oregon

Go to Recipe

23/34

Lemon Tart with Almond Crust

Our state produces an abundance of lemons, and everyone is always looking for new ways to use them. This beautiful tart is my delicious solution to the excess-lemon problem! —Lois Kinneberg, Phoenix, Arizona

Go to Recipe

24/34

Holiday Almond Bars

This fast, delicious dessert always makes an appearance during our Christmas celebrations.—Cheryl Newendorp, Pella, Iowa

Go to Recipe

25/34

Cranberry Cake with Almond-Butter Sauce

Make room for this recipe in your collection. Tart cranberries and sweet almond glaze turn this potluck cake into something truly special. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota

Go to Recipe

26/34

Almond Streusel Rolls

Try my prizewinning pastry! These rolls are so popular that they often don't even cool completely before the pan is empty. —Perlene Hoekema, Lynden, Washington

Go to Recipe

27/34

Vanilla Almond Hot Cocoa

Treat your family to this comforting, homemade cocoa as you decorate the tree or open holiday gifts. Vanilla and almond extracts make it taste even more special. —Vicki Holloway, Joelton, Tennessee

Go to Recipe

28/34

Taste of Home

Raspberry-Almond Jelly Roll

With a whipped cream, almond and raspberry filling, the lovely swirled slices taste as good as they look. —Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

29/34

Cherry-Almond Streusel Tart

Brimming with fresh cherries and topped with a crunchy streusel, this tempting tart is a great way to end dinner on a sweet note. It's elegant, tastes delicious, and is so easy to make. —Marion Lee, Mount Hope, Ontario

Go to Recipe

30/34

Cherry Almond Snowdrops

As soon as I was old enough, I helped make these distinctive almond cookies. You can freeze the dough, so they’re perfect for the busy holidays. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Go to Recipe

31/34

Cherry-Almond Coffee Cake

Every Christmas morning, I bake a coffee cake that's rich and creamy like a cheesecake. My family loves cherries on top, but make it yours with any kind of fruit preserves. —Sue Torn, Germantown, WI

Go to Recipe

32/34

Mango Almond Icebox Cake

This recipe was inspired by my friend who asked me to make a mango cake. It's easy to prepare, refreshing, light, and tastes absolutely fantastic. Strawberries can be used as well. —Rachel Simoneau, Danbury, Connecticut

Go to Recipe

33/34

Taste of Home

Swedish Almond Rusks

Not too sweet, these nutty, crunchy cookies go well with a cup of hot coffee...and travel well in care packages, too!

Go to Recipe

34/34

Almond Espresso Bars

If you like coffee, you'll love these mocha morsels dressed up with toasted almonds. Save a few bars for afternoon snacktime or even breakfast, too. —Taire Van Scoy, Brunswick, Maryland

Go to Recipe

Originally Published: December 11, 2019

Author

Caroline Stanko

As editor, Caroline researches, writes and edits all things food and beverage and helps produce videos for Taste of Home. With seven years at TOH under her belt, Caroline has worked on the print, SIP and digital teams. When she’s not at her desk, you can probably find Caroline mixing up a killer co*cktail, reading a dog-eared library book or cooki...

34 Recipes That Use Almond Extract (2024)

FAQs

What can almond extract be used in? ›

Recipes That Use Almond Extract

Easy Homemade Marzipan.
Almond Crescent Cookies.
Chinese Almond Cookies.
Best Chocolate Brownies.
Sweet Cherry Pie.

Read On ›

Why is almond extract so gross? ›

Almond extract, used in baked goods and desserts, tastes nothing like almonds. That's because it is made with bitter almond oil and ethyl alcohol.

Tell Me More ›

Should almond extract be refrigerated? ›

Storage: Do not refrigerate. Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat. Keep bottle tightly sealed.

See Details ›

Is a teaspoon of almond extract too much? ›

Unlike vanilla extract, which is harder to overdo, almond extract requires restraint; a little bit goes a long way, and too much can quickly overpower your recipe. If the recipe doesn't call for it, I find using a quarter teaspoon is enough to blend its flavor into the background.

Find Out More ›

Can I put almond extract in my coffee? ›

Pull two shots of espresso. Mix in the almond and vanilla extract. I don't sweeten it but, if you wanted to, you could add a dash of agave or sugar at this point.

Tell Me More ›

What happens if you use almond extract instead of vanilla? ›

Almond extract is significantly more potent than vanilla, but it will provide a similar flavor profile if you use it sparingly.

Read The Full Story ›

Is there cyanide in almond extract? ›

The bitterness and toxicity of wild almonds come from a compound called amygdalin. When ingested, this compound breaks down into several chemicals, including benzaldehyde, which tastes bitter, and cyanide, a deadly poison.

Read The Full Story ›

Can almond extract get you drunk? ›

Probably. Many concentrated flavors, notably vanilla and almond, have an alcohol base. The label will usually say “extract.” That said, there are alcohol-free versions.

Why is bitter almond not allowed in the US? ›

Why are bitter almonds illegal in some countries like the United States and United Kingdom, but not other nuts with cyanide like kernels (e.g. apricot)? Bitter almonds contain a naturally occurring compound called amygdalin, which can release hydrogen cyanide when metabolized.

Get More Info Here ›

How long does almond extract last once opened? ›

An unopened bottle of almond extract can easily last for three to four years if stored properly. Despite many bottles having a 'best by' date on the label, the extract usually remains good beyond this time frame. Once you've opened the bottle, almond extract can still stay fresh for about 12 months.

Know More ›

Can almond extract go bad? ›

Always check the expiration date on the bottle and follow proper storage guidelines to ensure the extract's freshness and maintain its quality for as long as possible. In conclusion, almond extract can go bad over time, especially when not stored properly or when exposed to unfavorable conditions.

Read On ›

Is almond extract good for your hair? ›

Main benefits: adds volume + shine, protects hair, eases maintenance. Produced from purified fractions of sweet almonds, which are natural coating agents for hair fibers, sweet almond extract is rich in peptides that penetrate hair to promote volume and vitality.

Learn More ›

Does almond extract raise blood sugar? ›

almond extract

Almonds are filled with good fats, protein, vitamins and minerals, making them one of the most nutritionally complete foods around. In addition to their astonishing nutritional composition, they may also help prevent blood sugar spikes and regulate insulin levels.

Get More Info ›

What does almond extract do for cookies? ›

Almond extract is an intensely flavored and concentrated liquid used to induce the taste of almonds in a variety of delicacies. It is known for its rich flavor and is widely used in baked goods, desserts, and cooking recipes.

Keep Reading ›

Why don't i like almond extract? ›

What some people find distasteful about almond extract, which in most cases is made from the other Prunus seeds, is simply that its mega-almond flavor goes one step too far from a good thing.

Can you put almond extract in a drink? ›

You can't have just one of these almond-essence lattes — they're oddly addicting. This recipe was inspired by Balconi Coffee Company's (in Los Angeles) hot almond essence latte. The almond extract, the vanilla, and the brown sugar combine for an addicting coffee beverage. You can make this recipe in 5 minutes or less.

Learn More Now ›

Can you put almond extract on your skin? ›

Sweet almond oil is generally safe for anyone to use on their hair and skin. 17 However, some people may want to avoid it. People with tree nut allergies should not use almond oil, as it could trigger an allergic reaction.

Can I put almond extract on my face? ›

Sweet almond oil is very good for your skin. Almond extract is not particularly good for your skin, though it is tasty used judiciously in baked goods. You should be using essential oils for skin care products, and carrier oils such as almond, coconut, avocado, vitamin E, even olive oil.

Discover More Details ›

Does almond extract taste like vanilla? ›

Yes, and you will get a lovely flavor. However, use just half or just a bit more than half of the almond extract because it imparts a much stronger flavor than vanilla does. My “Grandma's secret baking trick” is to use both in cakes and brownies.