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Desserts

CLOSED Nielsen-Massey review and giveaway: when baked desserts are done right!

shared by MickyN | 49 Comments

Update: This giveaway is closed.

The kitchen is filled with zesty rich aromas, and my daughter is getting impatient: she wants cake, and she wants it now! My repeated attempts to temper her kitchen tantrums are a failure – and, after all, who can blame her? The flowery notes in the air are pungent and unrestrained, promising heaps of flavor and refreshing baked joy. They are just too alluring to resist. Faces covered in sweat, MIL and I have been baking for about one hour, and the waiting will soon be over. I take the round pan out of the oven, and a fresh explosion of citrusy notes permeates the hot air in an instant. Say hello to orange ricotta strudel! 🙂

I have baked a lot this summer. From éclairs to cookies and from clafoutis to strudels, I have baked – and baked – and baked some more! – and have found it very therapeutic. In the process, I have used a variety of extracts to elevate my desserts. Indeed, extracts can add or enhance the flavors of baked goods and can provide convenience to the busy baker. My mom used a lot of extracts in her baking when I was growing up. Sadly, these were all fake extracts – colored water with a drop of artificial flavors and very little else. Since then, we both have learned to appreciate the value of the “real deal,” of authentic extracts made with natural ingredients. This is why I was very excited when I was contacted by Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, a Waukegan IL based company with worldwide distribution, for a product review and a giveaway. I chose their pure orange extract for my review.

What is an extract? As explained on the Nielsen-Massey Vanillas website, “the taste and fragrance of many fruits, plants and nuts are contained in their essential oils. These oils can be “extracted” by steeping the ingredient in alcohol so that the natural oils can dissolve and be kept in suspension (…) The FDA dictates that the solution must be at least 35% alcohol in order to be called an extract.” Throughout the years, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas products have received various certifications, and they are now gluten-free, allergen-free, GMO-free and kosher. They are good for up to 3 years and can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature, away from direct heat and sunlight.

The Nielsen-Massey Vanillas pure orange extract can be used to enhance the flavors of both sweet and savory dishes. From jams and marmalades to fruit pies and salad dressings, this orange extract is a versatile addition to anyone’s pantry.

I thought the fresh citrusy notes of this extract would work well in a cheese-based dessert such as ricotta strudel. I followed the recipe I originally posted here, and added 1tsp Nielsen-Massey Vanillas pure orange extract to the ricotta filling. You don’t want the orange flavor to overpower the other flavors, and this is why you must exercise restraint when using this extract. One teaspoon is just about right 🙂

Once the ricotta filling was ready, I followed the usual steps in this recipe. I spread the strudel filling evenly on top of the dough. I then rolled the dough into several cylinders, which I covered with granulated sugar…

… and made small incisions in the dough with a fork. I placed the baking pan in the oven and baked the strudel until golden brown.

Once it was done, I took the strudel out of the oven and let it cool.

I cut the strudel into slices and served it with powdered sugar and orange zest sprinkled on top.

My family thoroughly enjoyed this citrus-infused rendition of the ricotta strudel. Deep and wholesome, the orange extract added one refreshing layer of flavor which tasted crisp and authentic, just like the actual fruit. I also enjoyed the convenience of using the extract instead of squeezing the orange into the filling, which would have rendered it too wet and would have forced me to revise the quantities in my recipe altogether. I will continue to use Nielsen-Massey Vanillas pure orange extract in this recipe, and I will experiment with others – not just for the flavor, but also for the aroma. This extract is the perfect yummy air freshener for our kitchen, and everybody in my family seems to love it. Too bad pics don’t come with smells 🙂

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas is offering Chicago Loves Panini readers the chance to win one bottle of pure orange extract similar to the one I received, to recreate this recipe at home.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on this post and answer the following question: What is your favorite baked dessert?

Giveaway open to US residents only. One entry per person. Deadline for entries is 6PM central time on August 25th, 2017. One winner will be chosen on or around August 26th, 2017 by using a random number generator and will have 72 hours to respond to the winner notification email. I reserve the right to pick an alternative winner if the original winner does not contact me 72 hours after receipt of winner notification email.

Good luck!

*Disclaimer: Nielsen-Massey Vanillas sent me a complimentary product to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

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Desserts

Comments

  1. Margot C says

    August 11, 2017 at 11:01 pm

    I like baking cakes, lately I’ve been making classic Golden cake with a whipped cream filling that has shaved dark chocolate in it and chocolate buttercream frosting.

    Reply
  2. Maria says

    August 12, 2017 at 12:27 pm

    I love a good strawberry-rhubarb! I experimented with different recipes for the dough, and found a favorite one (which also happens to be the easiest and quickest), where I use a processor to incorporate cold butter cubes into the flour mixture. This allows for minimal melting of the butter and its equal distribution throughout the dough for a perfect flaky structure once baked! I haven’t had much luck with preparing yeast dough, and am excited to try this proven recipe;) Thank you for the great post M!

    Reply
  3. Char says

    August 13, 2017 at 1:33 pm

    I really love to make cookies, any kind! You have a great blog, thank you so much for the offer 🙂

    Reply
  4. Jill H says

    August 13, 2017 at 6:33 pm

    Cookies are always might favorite and I love trying new recipes, one with this orange extract would be yummy.

    Reply
  5. Surinder Gurm says

    August 13, 2017 at 11:29 pm

    Key lime pie

    Reply
  6. Elizabeth Elder says

    August 14, 2017 at 1:03 am

    My favorite baked dessert is apple pie 🙂 MMMMMMM!

    Reply
  7. Jen D. says

    August 14, 2017 at 2:27 pm

    My husband and I bake a delicious cherry pie together – he makes the crust and I make the filling.

    Reply
  8. Kristen says

    August 14, 2017 at 8:11 pm

    My favorite is mocha crunch cake.

    Reply
  9. jberry says

    August 14, 2017 at 9:15 pm

    I’m a fool for classic sticky toffee pudding.

    Reply
  10. Lisa A says

    August 14, 2017 at 11:49 pm

    My favorite baked dessert has to be any sort of cookie, warm out of the oven!

    Reply
  11. jacqueline v says

    August 16, 2017 at 12:32 am

    i love brownies and chocolate chip cookies

    Reply
  12. Mary Beth Elderton says

    August 19, 2017 at 8:12 pm

    One (of many!) favorite baked desserts is berry crisp/cobbler

    Reply
  13. al says

    August 19, 2017 at 11:30 pm

    Cinnamon rolls.

    Reply
  14. Chris L says

    August 20, 2017 at 8:29 pm

    My favorite is blackberry tarts made with fresh blackberries from my berry patch

    Reply
  15. D Schmidt says

    August 21, 2017 at 6:01 pm

    My favorite is definitely fruit cake.

    Reply
  16. amy lee says

    August 22, 2017 at 10:05 pm

    Sugar cookies are my favorite.

    Reply
  17. Ally says

    August 23, 2017 at 2:01 am

    Depends utterly on my mood, but I have yet to ever turn down pie or cheesecake.

    Reply
  18. Jennifer K. says

    August 24, 2017 at 2:57 am

    Macarons or danishes are my favorites.

    Reply
  19. Tim says

    August 24, 2017 at 5:37 pm

    Though it is technically not a dessert, cinnamon rolls are my favorite. You can make them dozens of ways, and some not even sweet at all, like with ham and cheese inside.

    Reply
  20. Kevin says

    August 24, 2017 at 7:28 pm

    Banana cream pie is for sure my favorite

    Reply
  21. Jennifer H. says

    August 24, 2017 at 7:52 pm

    One of my favorite baked dessert is gooey butter cake.

    Reply
  22. John H. says

    August 24, 2017 at 8:25 pm

    I like toffee cookies.

    Reply
  23. Carol says

    August 24, 2017 at 8:31 pm

    I like cheesecake.

    Reply
  24. angie w says

    August 24, 2017 at 8:50 pm

    That’s a tough choice because I love baking (and eating what I bake)! I’ll go with cheesecakes – my two faves are white chocolate raspberry and pumpkin with a gingersnap crust. Thanks!

    Reply
  25. Audrey Stewart says

    August 24, 2017 at 11:57 pm

    I love pies. I really like peach and cherry pies.

    Reply
  26. Angelica Dimeo says

    August 25, 2017 at 11:16 am

    I love Brownies

    Reply
  27. Kristin C says

    August 25, 2017 at 12:58 pm

    I love German Chocolate Cake, specifically made by my grandmother!

    Reply
  28. Lauren says

    August 25, 2017 at 1:02 pm

    I like eclairs.

    Reply
  29. Adrianne B says

    August 25, 2017 at 2:06 pm

    My favorite baked dessert is Blueberry Pie. Sometimes, I add rosewater or orange blossom water to the berry filling!

    Reply
  30. Diana Hatch says

    August 25, 2017 at 2:16 pm

    I love carrot cake!

    Reply
  31. Jayedee Dewitt says

    August 25, 2017 at 2:25 pm

    Right this minute I’m going through a pound cake face… Doesn’t a nice orange pound cake sound lovely? Thank you for such a nice giveaway!

    Reply
  32. Nancy says

    August 25, 2017 at 3:09 pm

    I love my made from scratch home made yeast bread cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing.

    Reply
  33. Heather D says

    August 25, 2017 at 3:11 pm

    I absolutely love cupcakes of any kind. I love pies, cobblers, and any dessert really. I enjoy making them myself.

    Reply
  34. Darlene Owen says

    August 25, 2017 at 4:30 pm

    I love Baked Alaska.

    Reply
  35. Anne Perry says

    August 25, 2017 at 4:38 pm

    Lately it’s been Maca Macaroons

    Reply
  36. Taryn T says

    August 25, 2017 at 8:15 pm

    This is going to sound so silly, but brownies are my absolute favorite dessert. There is nothing like an ooey gooey, warm from the oven, brownie.

    Reply
  37. Amanda Hoffman says

    August 25, 2017 at 8:16 pm

    I like brownies

    Reply
  38. Cheryl B says

    August 25, 2017 at 8:58 pm

    My favorite baked dessert is cobblers.

    Reply
  39. Amber Cheras says

    August 25, 2017 at 9:02 pm

    my favorite baked dessert is red velvet cupcakes!

    Reply
  40. LeAnn Harbert says

    August 25, 2017 at 9:16 pm

    I like hummingbird cake.

    Reply
  41. Aaron says

    August 25, 2017 at 9:42 pm

    My favorite baked dessert is banana bread.

    Reply
  42. Richard Brandt says

    August 25, 2017 at 10:27 pm

    My favorite baked dessert is pumpkin bread.

    Reply
  43. Yona Williams says

    August 25, 2017 at 10:51 pm

    The first thing that popped into my head was apple pie, but then I started to think of how many cupcakes I eat in a year. So, I think it would have to be a marble cupcake with either chocolate or buttercream frosting.

    Reply
  44. Laura A. says

    August 25, 2017 at 10:59 pm

    Tiramisu Toffee Torte is my all time favorite dessert!

    Reply
  45. monique s says

    August 26, 2017 at 12:31 am

    coffee cake is my favorite dessert

    Reply
  46. Margaret Appel says

    August 26, 2017 at 12:39 am

    My favorite baked dessert is cheesecake! I bet Nielsen-Massey Vanillas pure orange extract would give it an extra oomph!

    Reply
  47. Lisa V. says

    August 26, 2017 at 2:57 am

    My fave baked dessert is a New York cheesecake. So good!

    Reply

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I have a passion for writing and an appetite for cooking. I love to tell stories about foods, cultures, and people - and I love to eat! Come join me on this delicious foodie adventure! Read More

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