I have been very conscientious about not using any ingredients which contain alcohol since being sober. In recipes containing vanilla, I have been leaving that out. I had the vanilla with alcohol, and had been scared to use it (I did throw it away). I have heard different stories about whether or not the "alcohol cooks out". It is just not worth it to me to use it in my recipes if there is the slightest chance there is any alcohol in the baked/cooked goods. I have been making goodies for my meetings and I certainly don't want to take anything to the members which contains alcohol. After going to one large well known grocery store in my area, I was surprised that I could not find any vanilla flavoring which is alcohol free. I looked online and the prices that the sellers are asking for this are outrageous (imagine removing an ingredient, which is expensive in itself, and charging more for it!) Anyway, I checked out another store in my area and was able to find it at a very reasonable price so I can happily use this flavoring and not have to worry. I am not sure if I can post store names here, and not sure if this is a chain store or not, but if anyone would like to PM me I can send you the store's name as well as the maker of this vanilla.
Spill the beans! Anything that gives us a better chance of maintaining our sobriety and not jeopardizing someone elses, can be shared without a problem here. Where can I get alcohol free vanilla, and what is the brand called?
Hi John,
The name of the brand is "Guaranteed Value"...it is distributed by Foodhold USA. It is 8 oz. and is "Imitation Vanilla Flavor. Ingredients: water, sugar, caramel, artificial flavor, citric acid, sodium benzoate (preservative). I purchased this at Martin's. I looked them up on the internet and they are only located in Maryland, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA and W.Va. If you have trouble finding it where you are let me know and I can send you a bottle.
Since I have been sober I am a huge fan of Frontier brand all-natural alcohol free vanilla. The ingredients are glycerin, vanilla bean extractives and water. I have been baking with it for over two years now and love it. :)
__________________
I think there's an invisible principle of living...if we believe we're guided through every step of our lives, we are. Its a lovely sight, watching it work.