Adams Extract

Adam's Extract: Texas' Essential Extract

Do you remember helping your mom cook? I certainly do - especially when it was time to do some baking. My responsibility was assembling the necessary ingredients. And, always, Adams Best vanilla extract was my favorite.

Carefully removing the glass bottle from its box, I'd unscrew the red cap and inhale the most intoxicating aroma (next to chocolate) that I could imagine. Once, I dabbed a little on my wrists, thinking it would make a wonderful perfume! (I was ahead of the curve. Years later, vanilla-scented fragrances would hit the shelves.)

Our cupboard contained other Adams extracts (almond, lemon, etc.) plus the requisite four-pack of food coloring. If you grew up in Texas, your kitchen cabinet probably contained a few Adams extracts, too.

Adams Extract History

Back then, most people bought vanilla flavoring from pharmacies. A pharmacist himself, Adams vowed to develop a better-quality vanilla than the one his wife used. She baked a cake to test his formula. According to company history, she told him, "John, this is the BEST flavoring I have ever used." He replied, "Well, that's old man Adams BEST." A vanilla flavoring for the ages was born.

Their product line includes over 100 extracts, spices, and food colors. Most grocery stores in Texas and throughout the United States carry Adams vanilla extract. My neighborhood Wal Mart has a nice selection of Adams extracts and spices. If stores in your area don't stock Adams Extract products, click the "Store Locator" bar on their website. If all else fails, you can order what you need.

It's recipe time.

Pineapple Drop Cookies

• 2/3 cup shortening
• 1-1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon Adams Best vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon Adams pineapple extract
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup pineapple, well drained, crushed
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Bake in moderate oven (350F degrees) for 15 or 20 minutes. Makes about 4 1/2 dozen cookies.

Upside-Down Apple Pecan Pie

For the Filling

• 1 teaspoon Adams Best vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons Adams cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon Adams nutmeg
• 8 (approximately 7 cups) tart apples, medium size
• 3/4 teaspoon Adams butter flavoring
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon Adams allspice

For the Pecan Mixture

• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup pecans, chopped
• 3/4 teaspoon Adams Best vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 package uncooked prepared piecrust (for double crust pie)

Beverly's Chocolate Peppermint Pound Cake

• 3 cups plus 2 tablespoons sifted all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup unsifted, unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened, at room temperature
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon Adams Best vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon Adams chocolate extract
• 1 teaspoon Adams butter flavoring
• 2 teaspoons Adams peppermint extract
• 1-1/2 cups milk, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature

Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa. Cream the butter at high speed for 3 minutes. Beat in sugar in three additions, beating well each time. Beat in eggs one at a time. Continue beating for at least 3 minutes after the last egg has been added.

Blend in Adams Best vanilla, Adams butter flavoring, Adams peppermint extract, and Adams chocolate extract. Reduce speed to low, alternately add sifted dry ingredients in three additions with milk in two additions. Add sour cream and beat for 4 minutes on low speed. Carefully pour and scrape batter into tube pan. Shake and tap pan gently to level batter.

Bake on the lower third-level rack for 75 to 90 minutes, or until wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan for 5 minutes. Carefully invert on cooking rack and remove waxed paper. Allow to cool completely.

These recipes - plus lots more - can be found on the Adams website at www.adamsextract.com.