"Being flexible and intuitive with ingredients such as vanilla in recipes can build confidence in the kitchen. The TikTok trend of eyeballing the amount of vanilla is not wrong, per se, but is dependent on the type of recipe it is."
"However, because vanilla extract is suspended in alcohol, adding too much can introduce a sharp, boozy bitterness that can overpower a delicate dish."
"The addition of extra moisture from the vanilla extract can affect the texture of cakes and cookies, leading to extra spreading, sinking, or a gummy result."
"A casual splash of vanilla essence can tip from being pleasantly vanilla-y to a cloyingly sweet and artificial taste."
The trend of eyeballing vanilla in baking has gained popularity among food influencers and home bakers. While this approach can build confidence, it is not always advisable. Helen Goh, a pastry chef, explains that while being flexible with vanilla can enhance flavor, too much can introduce bitterness or affect texture. Using vanilla essence can complicate matters further due to its potency. Goh suggests measuring with the cap of the bottle as a practical alternative to ensure proper amounts are used.
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