1,637 vanilla extract recipes

Meringue pecan pie binds Ritz cracker crumbs and chopped pecans into a stiff egg-white meringue, then bakes into a chewy-crisp slice. No pie crust required. Top with ice cream or fresh fruit and whipped cream.

Oatmeal cookies rolled in chopped nuts with a chocolate star pressed into each warm center. The classic peanut blossom cookie technique applied to oats.

Wacky cake (Depression-era chocolate cake) made with no eggs, no milk, no butter. Vinegar and baking soda lift it to fluffy chocolate perfection in one pan.

Chocolate sour cream muffins with chopped walnuts and marshmallow pieces. Rocky-road inspired chocolate muffins with melty marshmallow pockets.

Chocolate raspberry cream torte: a light chocolate wacky cake layered four high with raspberry jam and pink raspberry cream filling. An impressive-looking dessert made with pantry staples and no eggs.

Peanut butter chocolate fudge made smooth and creamy with marshmallow fluff, swirled with semisweet chocolate chips and a full cup of peanut butter. A rich, melt-in-your-mouth holiday candy.

Mother's Day baked apple-cinnamon French toast assembles overnight, then bakes into a puffed, custardy casserole with dried apples, raisins, and warm spices. Zero morning-of stress.

Tiramisu-style cake with three sponge layers soaked in espresso-rum syrup, filled with mascarpone cream, and finished with cocoa powder and chocolate shavings. A classic Italian pick-me-up.

Low-cholesterol oatmeal cookies made with sunflower oil, egg whites, molasses, and whole wheat flour. Warmly spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

Chewy chocolate oat cookies loaded with pecans, marshmallows, and a hint of almond. Makes 4 dozen bite-sized munchies with crispy edges and gooey centers.

Vegan cardamom almond muffins made with whole wheat pastry flour, pear puree, and soy milk. Fragrant, low-fat, and egg-free with warm spice and almond flavor.

Two-tone sheet cake with a vanilla cream cheese batter and Hershey's chocolate syrup topping baked together for a marbled, fudgy finish using egg whites only.

Poached pears with chocolate drizzle: Bosc pear wedges simmered in white wine and apple juice with warm spices, then crowned with melted dark chocolate. An elegant light dessert.

Pumpkin cheese tart with a gingersnap-oat crust and a marbled cream cheese-pumpkin filling, finished with warm caramel sauce. A lighter take on pumpkin pie that actually holds its own on the holiday table.

European-style apple or cherry fritter doughnuts with kirsch-scented batter and folded egg whites for a light, airy crumb. Dropped by the spoonful and fried golden, dusted with sugar.

Pineapple carob cashew brownies made with whole wheat pastry flour, applesauce, honey, and no butter, eggs, or refined sugar. A naturally sweetened, caffeine-free vegan brownie.