I have a nice assortment of herbs, spices and extracts in my kitchen cabinet. I am a firm believer that you can change the flavor of something (for the better) with just a sprinkle of this or a dash of that. For example, when I make meatloaf I can completely change the taste of it simply by adding a smidgen of herbs and spices like garlic powder, black pepper and/or Italian herbs.
I would consider myself a good cook. It’s baking that I have yet to master. I can bake but not as well as I’d like to. It’s still a work in progress.
I keep a few extracts in my cabinet for the times that I do bake, or when I would like to make something that I need a burst of flavor to go with it. I love to make French Toast with a bit of Vanilla extract mixed in and sometimes I’ll add Lemon extract to Lemon cake mix to give it a burst of extra lemon flavor.
Many of my seasonings and extracts are made by McCormick. Did you know that they are celebrating their 125th Anniversary this year? They are celebrating their role they play in our lives, inspiring “flavorful” conversation and giving back to our communities and communities around the world.
McCormick has been around for so many years. Chances are your mother, grandmother and even great-grandmother used McCormick products to add flavor to many of your family’s favorite dishes, especially those handed down from generation to generation.
McCormick created a special initiative to share 1.25 million (that’s right – MILLION!) stories about how flavor both unties and defines people around the world. They are asking people like me and you to share out “Flavor Story” with them on the variety of social networking sites using the hashtag #FlavorStory. You are also invited to join in on the conversation at FlavorofTogether.com.
Here is a fun video to give you an idea about how food and flavor is an important part of our life, especially with our family and friends.
For every story that is shared on any of McCormick’s social channels or brand websites (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram…), McCormick will donate $1 (up to $1.25 million) to the United Way to help feed those in need.
I think this is a wonderful initiative. Not only does it help people in need it also helps us to connect with others and share stories about how food and flavors bring our families together and how they are a family tradition.
Way back in 1889, Willoughby M. McCormick went door to door selling one of McCormick & Company’s first products – Root Beer Extract. These days McCormick is one of the world’s largest flavor companies with $4 billion in sales. They are also the country’s largest producer of extracts.
I LOVE Root Beer soda and Root Beer Floats. They are favorites of mine. They were very popular back in the early 1900’s and they are still very popular today.
I was sent a bottle of Root Beer Extract from McCormick to get creative with and see what recipe/recipes I can come up with.
Root Beer Extract is not an easy one to work with, unlike Vanilla. But I was up for the challenge.
Root Beer sounds like it would go great with dark chocolate. My first thought was a dark chocolate cake with Root Beer extract or cupcakes.
I am a busy mom. As much as I’d love to make a cake or cupcakes from scratch that is not always possible. I am quick to grab pre-made packages of cake or cupcake mix BUT I love to play around with them and add additional things to them like nuts, chocolate chips, M&M’s, peanut butter and more.
I thought these recipes would be nice to share with other busy parents and with those of us who are “baking challenged” like I can be sometimes. LOL!
I had the idea for Dark Chocolate Root Beer Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting. I wanted the cupcakes to be reminiscent of Root Beer Floats. I thought the Vanilla frosting would be a great substitute for Vanilla ice cream. After I made the cupcakes my daughter suggested we use Vanilla Ice Cream. We only had chocolate at the time but I think a dollop of Vanilla ice cream on top instead of Vanilla frosting would have tasted better. The next time I make these I will use Vanilla ice cream on top instead.
I wasn’t sure how much of the extract to use. I figured one teaspoon would have been good. After making the cupcakes I realized that two teaspoons would have been better. There was a slight Root Beer taste to them but not as much as I wanted them to be.
I used a chocolate flavored licorice as a “straw” for my “float” cupcakes. I looked for real plastic straws but our grocery story didn’t have any.
I think a marshmallow topping would have gone great with this too. For some reason chocolate, Root Beer and marshmallow sounds like a yummy flavor combination, doesn’t it?
I wanted to try and make something else using the Root Beer Extract. I thought brownies would be the next logical choice. So I used boxed brownie mix but this time I added two teaspoons of Root Beer Extract. This time I could taste the Root Beer much more than I did with the cupcakes. In fact I think I could stand to use three teaspoons the next time I make it – but that is a matter of opinion.
My husband and daughter said it was fine with just two teaspoons where as me and my son think it could have used a little more root beer flavor. We also like root beer more than my husband and daughter. I’m not sure if that has anything to do with that or not.
I added nuts to my brownies (out of habit). Walnuts and Root Beer don’t really go well together. 🙂 I should have used sprinkles.
We also tried to make Root Beer soda with the extract and a bottle of unflavored club soda. You will need to add some sugar into it as well but the beauty of making your own soda is that you can control the amount of sugar used.
We use to have a soda making machine (one that makes soda out of water). I wish we still had it. I would have loved to had tried to make the soda with the extract that way.
The amount of extract I used making soda was based on my preferences. If you want to make your own I would suggest you added a few drops in at a time, stir and taste it to see if you prefer it to be stronger or not. I liked it the way I made it but my daughter felt it was too strong and my son felt it was not strong enough (my hubby doesn’t like Root Beer soda).
What I love about extracts is that they are very flexible. You can add as little or as much as you want to a variety of recipes or even things that are pre-made. My daughter wants to try adding a few drops to Vanilla ice cream to see if we can make Root Beer ice cream. I love that idea and I plan on trying that. I was not home all last week and I haven’t had chance to go shopping this week so I haven’t had a chance to pick up some Vanilla ice cream yet.
My daughter also suggested adding a few drops to Vanilla yogurt.
I did think of adding a few drops to the Vanilla frosting we used on the cupcakes but I thought it might have been “overkill”.
I wonder how Root Beer would taste mixed in with Chocolate Chip Cookies? Root Beer seems to go well with chocolate and vanilla. I’m curious about that one too.
For more information about McCormick’s herbs, spices and flavorful extracts like Root Beer visit www.McCormick.com. They have a lot of recipes on their site (the Salmon with Orange Salsa looks so good!). You can also find the brand on the various social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest). The links are found at the bottom of their website.
McCormick would like to help you celebrate their 125th Anniversary too. They would like to give a lucky reader a special anniversary prie package which includes exclusive McCormick Anniversary Editions of Black Pepper and Vanilla Extract (not available in stores), a McCormick Recipe Book and a branded canvas tote bag. The prize package is valued at $50.00. Thank you McCormick.
This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on March 31, 2014 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply or a new winner will be chosen in their place.
To enter please comment on this post and share with me a #FlavorStory. Is there a special family recipe that brings your family together? Is there a special extract, herb or spice that your family can’t live without? Feel free to share your #FlavorStory. While you are at it don’t forget to share the story with McCormick too so that they can donate money to the United Way to help feed those in need.
For extra entries you can use the Rafflecopter (below) but you must complete the initial entry requirement (I do check) or the additional entries won’t qualify. Extra entries are optional.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Kimberly
*Although compensated the opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way. McCormick will be providing the prize package.
Min K says
I add garlic powder to (almost) everything – #FlavorStory
Maureen says
My family loves garlic -fresh pressed in most everything and we also love rosemary.
Others are big on onion and basil too.
Melissa says
I use cinnamon at least every other day, I love adding it for a little kick of flavor. #FlavorStory
David Hopper (Stormdrane) says
Mmmmm, root beer! I often add McCormick’s Hot Shot! Black & Red Pepper Blend to soups, chili, taters, meats, and vegetables for a little extra kick. #FlavorStory
janetfaye says
We love our food seasoned with black and red pepper.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
debbie says
My family loves rosemary, sage and thyme. I use them all the time.
Vicki Wurgler says
My mother used almond extract in alot of her baking-she used it in cookies and cakes
Kristie says
We love garlic-don’t think we could live without it 🙂
Jennifer Rote says
#FlavorStory -My Mom used to make a pork spread that took ginger and cloves. sounds strange but very good.
Dixie Neitzel says
I love rootbeer !!!!!!!!!! I’m want to make those cupcakes!!!!
D Schmidt says
My #FlavorStory is that we tend to replace anything vanilla with maple flavoring since my kids are obsessed with it!
Heather B says
I don’t think my family could live without Garlic or Cinnamon! We use one or both (not together) every day!
Maryann D. says
My #FlavorStory is that we always looked forward to my mom’s delicious spaghetti sauce that she used to make every week. She had lots of different herbs and spices added to it. Pepper and garlic especially.
Shelia S says
We can’t live without garlic powder for our dinners and vanilla extract for our baked goodies. McCormick is the best brand!
Shelia S says
I follow you on Blog Lovin’. I absolutely love your blog.
Dorothy Teel says
I love McCormick’s worchestershire pepper it is delicious and it really adds a little extra to meats, steak, chops I ran out once and it took me about a month to find it again and now I see it all over. It is worth having in the home.
Denise S says
We especially love garlic salt on our french bread.
Wendy McBride says
We love McCormick seasonings in my family! I always use McCormick Italian Seasoning Blend in my spaghetti sauce. I also use McCormick Montreal Steak seasoning as one of our favorites on Ribeye steaks, hamburgers and pork chops! McCormick Vanilla extract, Cinnamon and Garlic Salt are other big favorites of mine. I didn’t know anything about Root Beer Extract until reading your post~interesting!
wendym at cableone dot net
Betty says
our family loves lemon pepper – it goes with a variety off meats and pasta
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
I remember making root beer all the time as a kid! I should bring that tradition back!
Debra Hall says
vanilla i even put a few drops in my waffles the family loves it that way
latanya says
We like like pure vanilla extract #FlavorStory.
Kate D. says
I could not cook or bake without garlic powder, italian seasoning, almond extract or vanilla extract.
Seyma Shabbir says
My special recipe is for chocolate chip cookies and I cannot live without vanilla! I shred chocolate into the cookies!
Debbie Jackson says
We love anything lemon. From fish, cakes cookies and pies we are hooked on the sour stuff.
Megan Cromes says
root beer reminds me of my child hood every time i see it or drink it ty .#FlavorStory
MelodyJ says
I love cinnamon and nutmeg because the first thing I baked from scratch by myself was Oatmeal Cookies.
MelodyJ says
I love cinnamon and nutmeg because the first thing I baked from scratch by myself was Oatmeal Cookies.
darby says
I use rosemary and oregano in everything!
Tari Lawson says
We can’t live without almond extract. I use it for a family favorite cookie recipe and cake.
Trisha Burgess says
My #flavorstory is sharing my grandmas peanut butter fudge with our family! I’m the only grand kid with the recipe!
Jennifer T. says
We put cardamon in lots of baked goods. It’s sorta our family secret ingredient. #FlavorStory
Jennifer T. says
I follow on bloglovin’ under magmom73.
Virginia Rowell says
#FlavorStory Stuffed green peppers brings the whole family over. Paprika is a must in the house.
Debra Pauley says
We love garlic-don’t think we could live without it
Amanda S. says
My mom has always made Christmas sugar cookies with peppermint extract in the frosting…wouldn’t be the same without them!
Theresa N says
My grandmother use to make me the best egg custard pies made with vanilla extract.
Tara Liebing says
We use a lot of garlic in our meals. We also really like to use cilantro in some of meals.
deana c says
My whole family cannot live without cinnamon. We use it everyday. #FlavorStory.
Cori Westphal says
When I was a kid, I remember spending hours and hours at my Grandma’s. She loved to bake. Taught me most of what I know about baking. I have fond memories of going to her house and playing cards, and her giving me coffee and adding just a splash of vanilla extract to sweeten it up a bit for me. It was such a treat! something my mom would NEVER let me have! Once in a while I sit down to a game of good old fashioned solitaire and enjoy a cup of coffee with vanilla, just for old times sake. Love you and miss you grandma!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Brutus Duffy says
When i was little my mother would make us “little drinks” if they were having guests over so we wouldn’t feel left out. It consisted of cola, McCormick’s vanill extract, a cherry and an orange wedge. I’ll make myself one every now and then when i get nostalgic.
kyl neusch says
got to have dill
Mihaela Day says
I use cinnamon at least every other day, I love adding it to pretty much everything #FlavorStory
Eugenia Hall says
For many years my Mom has entered Apple Pie contests, with the hope of someday making it to the State level and be able to compete at the State Fair. While she’s placed several times she’s never quite managed to win the Blue Ribbon and go on to the State Fair. She always used McCormick spices in her pies, not just cinnamon, but also allspice and nutmeg. And if I tell you any more of her secret recipe she’ll kill me! #FlavorStory
Stephanie Galbraith says
We used to make sprite floats and orange soda floats at my grandmas resaurant,
Erica C. says
Rootbeer would be good.
Francine Anchondo says
I like to put cayenne pepper on most foods of mine
Carmen says
Our #FlavorStory is that we use a lot of garlic powder and garlic salt in our household.
ellen c. says
Every Christmas Eve my carrot cake is a must have. McCormick cinnamon is essential to the recipe. Thanks for the chance.
tina reynolds says
I love root beer floats so does my hubby and kids such a treat
Karrie Millheim says
Our #FlavorStory is the spices we always stick to.. garlic salt and mortons seasonings. it always tops of a meal
joe gersch says
#FlavorStory I cannot live without cilantro in tacos
kristy thiel says
I love making chili for my family. Thanks for hosting!
laurie says
we love pecan waffles the most and when I make them everyone comes running.
Jane Thomas says
We all like Vanilla, My family likes it when I make pound cake.