Quick Sub: My grocery store doesn't carry mint extract

[ajowen]

EEK! Do I live in a backwards town or what? So my grocery store doesn't carry peppermint (or any kind of mint) extract... what would you substitute to make the mint-chocolate cheesecake things that came out last month? (I need to know so I can make them for a party on friday.... ) Now we have butter, rum, almond, vanilla, etc etc... just not mint ;) Suggestions? (Or can I just leave it out?)

Amanda

[donleyk]

Amanda,

Hopefully someone else will have a suggestion for you. Personally, I would find something else all together if I didn't have mint.... Good luck!

[Natasha]

Hi,

You could use another strong flavoring such as orange or raspberry. My sister used to make a recipe for chocolate-mint balls, and she decided to experiment and both those flavors worked fantastically. However, obviously you'd end up with something quite different than the original! I was going to also suggest mail order, but I guess then you wouldn't get the extract before Friday.

Good luck!
Natasha

[Angela]

Just a thought...what about Creme de Mint? The mint flavored liquor. If you don't mind alcohol in your foods that might be a good substitution.

[Ralph]

Cook's Thesaurus to the rescue again!

"peppermint extract Notes: This is used to make candy canes, mints, and peppermint patties. Substitutes: peppermint oil (One part flavoring oil is roughly equivalent to four parts extract, but this may vary according to the products used. To be safe, begin by substituting 1/8 teaspoon of oil per teaspoon of extract, then add more drops of oil until you're satisfied with the flavor.) OR creme de menthe (use much more) OR peppermint schnapps (Substitute 1 or 2 tablespoons schnapps for each teaspoon of extract) OR vanilla extract (use more)"