This $1.25 Dollar Tree Find Is Just as Good as the Expensive Stuff

Several years ago, when the cost of pure vanilla skyrocketed, my brother-in-law embarked on a baking project with my nephews. He's not a baker, but my nephews wanted to try "Scooby Snacks," a kid-focused recipe from the Scooby-Doo!™ Encyclopedia.

My sister called me later that week, cringing about the situation. She was away at the time, and as she told it, the recipe "called for two tablespoons of vanilla extract, and the only other wet ingredients were butter."

Her husband and kids had used two full tablespoons of pricey, pure vanilla in a recipe that ended up in the garbage. "The recipe was problematic," she said, but as a non-baker, her husband "didn't know that two tablespoons was a lot for one cookie recipe."

We laughed about it, but the sheer horror of losing that much vanilla was not lost on either of us. That's why I'm here to share the delights of cheapo imitation vanilla extract. 

Why I Love Dollar Tree's Imitation Vanilla Extract

There's a time and place for splurging on real vanilla, but imitation vanilla extract also has its place—Scooby Snacks! All jokes aside, imitation extract is great and even preferred for particular recipes. So, I always stock both.

Since I bake more often in the cooler months, I was excited to discover that Dollar Tree carries eight-ounce bottles of Supreme Tradition imitation vanilla extract for just $1.25. Like other grocery store brand imitation extracts, it's perfect for everyday baking where the stakes aren't high.

I like using it in particular cookie recipes, cakes, and brownies—any recipe where vanilla isn't the star of the show—preferring to save the good stuff for when it really counts.

The price point for this imitation vanilla is unbeatable. At $1.25 for eight ounces, it's a fraction of the cost of pure vanilla and even other imitation vanilla extracts. This means I can bake to my heart's content without wincing every time I pour a teaspoon into the mix.

Stocking imitation vanilla isn't just about being cheap—it's about being smart. Imitation vanilla holds up incredibly well in baked goods. I've used it in everything from cookies and waffles to quick breads. I particularly like using it in recipes where vanilla plays more of a supporting role. Think fudgy brownies, where chocolate is the star, or apple cider muffins, where cider and cinnamon take center stage.

Imitation vanilla provides that warm, familiar backdrop without overshadowing the primary flavors, and this little bottle is perfect for when you don't want to dip into your fancy vanilla stash.

When I Use Pure Vanilla Extract

I'll never say goodbye to pure vanilla extract or, even better, whole vanilla beans. There's a time and place for those treasures, and it's when I want the vanilla flavor to shine. When I'm making vanilla ice cream, crème brûlée, nicer pastries, a simple pound cake or layered birthday cake, or vanilla-infused drinks like lattes, milkshakes, or cocktails, I'll splurge on the real deal.

In these cases, the nuanced flavor of real vanilla beans makes a noticeable difference. For my day-to-day baking adventures, though, Dollar Tree's imitation vanilla extract is a trusted baking sidekick, happily taking my family through cozy recipe after cozy recipe.