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! ๐
I have baked a lot this summer. From รฉclairs 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 ๐
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 ๐
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.
Margot C
August 11, 2017I 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.
Maria
August 12, 2017I 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!
Char
August 13, 2017I really love to make cookies, any kind! You have a great blog, thank you so much for the offer ๐
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Jill H
August 13, 2017Cookies are always might favorite and I love trying new recipes, one with this orange extract would be yummy.
Surinder Gurm
August 13, 2017Key lime pie
Elizabeth Elder
August 14, 2017My favorite baked dessert is apple pie ๐ MMMMMMM!
Jen D.
August 14, 2017My husband and I bake a delicious cherry pie together – he makes the crust and I make the filling.
Kristen
August 14, 2017My favorite is mocha crunch cake.
jberry
August 14, 2017I’m a fool for classic sticky toffee pudding.
Lisa A
August 14, 2017My favorite baked dessert has to be any sort of cookie, warm out of the oven!
jacqueline v
August 16, 2017i love brownies and chocolate chip cookies
Mary Beth Elderton
August 19, 2017One (of many!) favorite baked desserts is berry crisp/cobbler
al
August 19, 2017Cinnamon rolls.
Chris L
August 20, 2017My favorite is blackberry tarts made with fresh blackberries from my berry patch
D Schmidt
August 21, 2017My favorite is definitely fruit cake.
amy lee
August 22, 2017Sugar cookies are my favorite.
Ally
August 23, 2017Depends utterly on my mood, but I have yet to ever turn down pie or cheesecake.
Jennifer K.
August 24, 2017Macarons or danishes are my favorites.
Tim
August 24, 2017Though 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.
Kevin
August 24, 2017Banana cream pie is for sure my favorite
Jennifer H.
August 24, 2017One of my favorite baked dessert is gooey butter cake.
John H.
August 24, 2017I like toffee cookies.
Carol
August 24, 2017I like cheesecake.
angie w
August 24, 2017That’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!
Audrey Stewart
August 24, 2017I love pies. I really like peach and cherry pies.
Angelica Dimeo
August 25, 2017I love Brownies
Kristin C
August 25, 2017I love German Chocolate Cake, specifically made by my grandmother!
Lauren
August 25, 2017I like eclairs.
Adrianne B
August 25, 2017My favorite baked dessert is Blueberry Pie. Sometimes, I add rosewater or orange blossom water to the berry filling!
Diana Hatch
August 25, 2017I love carrot cake!
Jayedee Dewitt
August 25, 2017Right 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!
Nancy
August 25, 2017I love my made from scratch home made yeast bread cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing.
Heather D
August 25, 2017I absolutely love cupcakes of any kind. I love pies, cobblers, and any dessert really. I enjoy making them myself.
Darlene Owen
August 25, 2017I love Baked Alaska.
Anne Perry
August 25, 2017Lately it’s been Maca Macaroons
Taryn T
August 25, 2017This 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.
Amanda Hoffman
August 25, 2017I like brownies
Cheryl B
August 25, 2017My favorite baked dessert is cobblers.
Amber Cheras
August 25, 2017my favorite baked dessert is red velvet cupcakes!
LeAnn Harbert
August 25, 2017I like hummingbird cake.
Aaron
August 25, 2017My favorite baked dessert is banana bread.
Richard Brandt
August 25, 2017My favorite baked dessert is pumpkin bread.
Yona Williams
August 25, 2017The 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.
Laura A.
August 25, 2017Tiramisu Toffee Torte is my all time favorite dessert!
monique s
August 26, 2017coffee cake is my favorite dessert
Margaret Appel
August 26, 2017My favorite baked dessert is cheesecake! I bet Nielsen-Massey Vanillas pure orange extract would give it an extra oomph!
Lisa V.
August 26, 2017My fave baked dessert is a New York cheesecake. So good!
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