I just made some cookies and they don't taste right. I know everything else is correct in them. they are not as good as usual and they are kinda dry and crumbly. the only thing i think it could be is the vanilla extract has been in my cabinet for a long time
2006-08-12 15:46:11 · 14 answers · asked by bridget36 3 in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
the ingredients are butter,sugar,light brown sugar ,flour choclate chips and hershey kisses in middle. the vanilla is about a year maybe a little longer old.. i always keep the lid on it.
2006-08-12 16:08:28 · update #1
Was the brown sugar old? Recently, I made some chocolate chip cookies and the only ingredient that I didn't feel right about was the brown sugar as it was older than 5 years. Although surprisingly soft and not hardened it was not up to snuff in the taste department.
I have never heard of such a thing, but that seems to be my only option why my cookies came out funny!
2006-08-12 16:53:26 · answer #1 · answered by Active Denial System™ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most vanilla extract has a very small amount of alcohol in it. So, while alcohol acts as a preservative the more often you open the container the alcohol breaks down. Vanilla extract is organic so after an indefinite period of time it will go bad. If you keep the lid on tight it could last a very long time. Remove the lid over night and then replace it the alcohol has evaporated and micro-oganisms are enjoying vanilla like it was icing on a cake.
2006-08-12 15:54:58 · answer #2 · answered by deryck_c38 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The vanilla extract wouldn't be the culprit for the case of the dry and crumbly cookie - probably not enough moisture would be my guess - either that, or you've done something odd with the fat (butter, margarine, etc). The vanilla is at most a flavoring agent, not enough is used to contribute to a more moist and firm cookie.
2006-08-12 15:55:38 · answer #3 · answered by Lonnie J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't even think that real vanilla extract (the one with alcohol) goes bad. Ever. If the cookies are dry and crumbly, then you need more liquids in the recipe. Try adding eggs.
2006-08-13 03:35:54 · answer #4 · answered by endsjustmeans 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't imagine real vanilla extract going bad. It's like a fine liqueur. I've had some bottles for years and if anything they improve with age.
2006-08-12 16:57:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Real vanilla extract has a long shelf life. I have never had it go bad. How long is long? Maybe you switched baking powder for baking soda or something like that.
2006-08-12 15:49:36 · answer #6 · answered by girlonline64 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have used really old vanilla extract before and it was ok. It contains alcohol and it will evaporate before it goes bad. Sound like you might not have added enough liquid or fat.
2006-08-12 15:53:36 · answer #7 · answered by miso1cat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have had my big bottle of vanilla for at least 5-6 yrs. it lasts a long time i think . maybe it was the kind of butter you used was it tub butter ??they usually recommend to use real butter for baking.
2006-08-12 16:34:46 · answer #8 · answered by kittycatlover 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would believe so... if it has no preservative in it all liquids can go bad.... especially if its sugar based...
Then again i could be wrong lol
2006-08-12 15:51:13 · answer #9 · answered by sniperwolfjulian 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really. It has an alcohol base.
2006-08-12 15:51:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋