Every single thing costs money between having our needs met and having a hobby. Most of us wonder what we truly should invest in to receive the most value, and what we can get by with not being as mindful about. If you are curious about this in regards to baking ingredients, I am here to help!
My community of followers on Instagram provided feedback on which essential baking ingredients they find most important to invest in, and what is doable to choose the cheaper option! *side note, follow me on Instagram if you want to participate in these polls, or just see more baking content!! https://instagram.com/sylcoxsweets?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
Here is what voters had to say:
VERY shocked on how many no’s this category received!
My Opinion
I will attest to these answers from my own experiences. Using a higher quality butter makes a significant impact in the texture and flavor of my pastries and buttercream! For flour, I always use the same brand so I cannot say for certain if there are differences in quality between brands. For sugar, I do notice a difference between an off-brand and a quality brand. In the off-brand, the texture seems off. The sugar clumps together, and it feels “stiff”. Contrarily, a higher quality brand of sugar feels smooth and even fluffy to me! For baking powder and soda, I always use the same brands, so I am unsure about difference of quality between brands. However, I can confirm that the expiration dates matter so be sure to check that! I once unknowingly used expired baking powder, and it had a horrendous impact on my pastry!
The inconsistency of answers regarding equipment, pots, and pans was surprising to me! In prior experiences, I have certainly noticed a difference in efficiency when I used higher-end equipment. For example, the mixing set I have is maybe one or two steps down from the luxurious Kitchen Aid. When I started my business, I thought “Why do I need to spend all that money on a mixer? It’s just a mixer… what could the difference actually be?”. However, I recently went to my dad’s for a cinnamon roll session and we used his Kitchen Aid which made my whole perspective change! The efficiency of that mixer was unbelievable. It rotated in a full circle and thoroughly blended every single ingredient together- including at the ends and bottom of the bowl. I rarely had to stop it to scrape the sides- which is not the same story with my current mixer.
The one ingredient where 100% of people agreed to invest in the best quality for the best outcome was vanilla-which I will confirm from my own experience and research.
All about Vanilla!
Vanilla extract is quite literally, the extracted flavor of natural vanilla beans. The flavors from the plant are extracted by soaking them in unflavored alcohol (80-120 proof) for around 6 months. Vodka, bourbon, and rum typically used. It certainly is a lengthy and delicate process- for having good quality vanilla beans to use is so important. Vanilla extracts are available in either single fold or double fold- single fold containing less vanilla potency and double fold having more vanilla potency. Stores typically offer single fold.
Spotting the Best Vanilla Extract-The Struggle
Purchasing vanilla extract from the store is quite pricey when you are choosing one of better quality. Unfortunately, the brands who have been advertised as top quality or as “pure vanilla extract” are simply not that at all. Go to the your local grocery store, head over to the vanilla extracts, and take a look at the ingredients. On all of those bottles, you will find more added ingredients than “extracted vanilla” or “alcohol and vanilla beans”. You are going to find water, imitation flavor, coloring, etc on all of those bottles. In fact, you are going to find water as the first ingredient! We spend too much money on vanilla extracts where the vanilla is diluted, yet advertised as a “pure extract”. Most people do not know the heavenly taste we receive when a pure, robust extract is used. That is just so sad to me!
Basically, when shopping for vanilla, look for an extract with minimal ingredients. It should truly only say “extract of vanilla” or “alcohol and vanilla beans”. If water is a listed ingredient along with coloring, syrups, sugar, etc, then you are not getting a true vanilla extract.
Accessing the Best Vanilla Extract- The Solution!
Now that we are all ruined because what we thought we knew about some grocery store products are a lie, I have solutions!! Stay tuned for when Sylcox Sweets’ vanilla extract is ready to be purchased! I use top quality vanilla beans, and the only product in that bottle is vanilla extract. No water, sugar, flavoring, etc! Every bakery and household should have real, quality ingredients to experience amazing flavors, and I am happy to supply that! Provide your name and email below to be the first notified when it will be ready to order!
