baking extracts brands.....anyone use watkins brand?

[jo-jo]

Looking for extracts for Christmas cookies baking. I always used Mc Cormick, but notice watkins is about 30% cheaper. Of course some of the price comes from ads, but I don't want to waste $8 of butter, flour etc, to save a few dollars on extract.

 

[nw6675]

I have always liked Watkins. Most of the time I have McCormick, but I haven't had any issues with Watkins vanilla. I'm not sure I've used any other extract from them.

 

[DVCjj]

My mother in law always used Watkins and liked very much. (She's not here anymore).
I use McCormick because I'm too lazy to shop around for Watkins.
I don't use a lot of flavorings except Vanilla, Almond or Anise. (Pizzelles).

 

[disneyseniors]

I remember when Watkins was THE brand name to have. I seem to remember parties with Watkins products, but I could be wrong? This was a while ago. I have used Watkins and other brands and haven't noticed any difference in my baked goods. I use the store brand too without a problem.

 

[jo-jo]

My mother in law always used Watkins and liked very much. (She's not here anymore).
I use McCormick because I'm too lazy to shop around for Watkins.
I don't use a lot of flavorings except Vanilla, Almond or Anise. (Pizzelles).

Those are the ones I use 90% of the time.

 

[_19disnA]

Mostly use McCormick and always works well. Whatever brand of vanilla extact you get don't ever buy the 'imitation' stuff. All of those have an odd chemcial taste and useless for baking purposes.

 

[superme80]

I LOVE Watkins. I order them off of Amazon all the time.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

Looking for extracts for Christmas cookies baking. I always used Mc Cormick, but notice watkins is about 30% cheaper. Of course some of the price comes from ads, but I don't want to waste $8 of butter, flour etc, to save a few dollars on extract.

Watkins is fine. I also use Penzey's.
I do prefer Nielsen-Massey, though.

 

[DLgal]

For Vanilla, I use the Kirkland Costco brand. Can't beat it. Or Nielsen Massey when I want to use vanilla paste.

If we are talking Almond or Peppermint extract, or any other flavor, I don’t pay too much attention to brands and usually just buy whatever is cheapest.

 

[unrequited23]

We used to use Watkins Double Strength vanilla...It looks like they now have a 'baking vanilla' formula that is not as good. If I have a lot of baking ahead I get the giant Kirkland bottle from Costco, otherwise it's a bottle from Aldi.

 

[jo-jo]

Watkins is fine. I also use Penzey's.
I do prefer Nielsen-Massey, though.

Never heard of those brands. This is my first time I've tried other that McCormick.

with all the cookies I make , I use 4-6 of the one oz bottles every Christmas.

If I can find a way to save a bit without ruining cookies, so much the better.

Thank you for all the replies.

 

[Bamaclan4]

I use Watkins as well as McCormicks.

 

[barkley]

I remember when Watkins was THE brand name to have. I seem to remember parties with Watkins products,

yes, it used to only be sold by door to door sales people (like avon)-my neighbor was a watkins salesman. it then became a popular party product (like tupperware). spectacular vanilla extract as well as dip mixes (which are phenomenal if tossed into a bread maker with a standard white bread recipe).

I LOVE Watkins. I order them off of Amazon all the time.

i was very surprised to find them as a standard shelf brand at walmart a few years ago.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

...
I do prefer Nielsen-Massey, though.

Same here. Also get vanilla and other extracts from King Arthur Flour.

 

[NotUrsula]

This will sound odd, but Watkins is sold at very reasonable prices at, of all places, Menard's home centers.

 

[superme80]

yes, it used to only be sold by door to door sales people (like avon)-my neighbor was a watkins salesman. it then became a popular party product (like tupperware). spectacular vanilla extract as well as dip mixes (which are phenomenal if tossed into a bread maker with a standard white bread recipe).

i was very surprised to find them as a standard shelf brand at walmart a few years ago.

I haven't seen Walmart carry the variety they used to carry. I love the Cocoa and Coffee flavor. Walmarts I visit do not seem to carry it anymore. Once in a blue moon Grocery Outlet gets a bunch.

 

[DodgerGirl]

When my mom was a little girl my grandmother used to have Watkins brand products delivered to her house and my grandmother was a big fan of Watkins products she would make orders almost every month. And whenever the Watkins guy would come it was like my grandmother had a friend over every week because in addition to getting her products Grandma would give the guy lemonade as a friendly tip and the guy always gave my grandmother deals on her next Watkins purchases because she was their best customer. My grandmother always got medicine from Watkins and haircare products and other stuff but when my mother would get sick with colds Grandma gave her Watkins medicine which Mom disliked because it was icky. Do you remember a medicine Watkins had that came in a glass bottle shaped like a giraffe? Because that was the medicine Mom disliked as a little girl and I wondered if it was part of an animal children's medicine line?
Dodger

 

[buzzrelly]

I usually use McCormick or Nielson-Massey, but I picked up a large bottle of Kirkland Pure Vanilla Extract at Costco and I'm hoping it's just as good. I've had good luck with other Kirkland brand items, ie olive oil, balsamic vinegar, etc., so I'm hopeful.

 

[Shellsbutt]

I usually use McCormick or Nielson-Massey, but I picked up a large bottle of Kirkland Pure Vanilla Extract at Costco and I'm hoping it's just as good. I've had good luck with other Kirkland brand items, ie olive oil, balsamic vinegar, etc., so I'm hopeful.

I bought the Kirkland vanilla extract also, I do a lot of baking during the winter and those 2 oz McCormick bottles are so expensive. I'm excited to try it, I can't imagine it will be worse. I can vouch for the vanilla beans I got from Costco last year. They come in what looks like a test tube-can't remember how many you get, but I still have a few left and they are fragrant and pliable. They are a great deal and when I've used a vanilla pod(for scraping out the paste), I will stick the pod in some sugar to give it that wonderful vanilla essence.

 

[barkley]

When my mom was a little girl my grandmother used to have Watkins brand products delivered to her house and my grandmother was a big fan of Watkins products she would make orders almost every month. And whenever the Watkins guy would come it was like my grandmother had a friend over every week because in addition to getting her products Grandma would give the guy lemonade as a friendly tip and the guy always gave my grandmother deals on her next Watkins purchases because she was their best customer. My grandmother always got medicine from Watkins and haircare products and other stuff but when my mother would get sick with colds Grandma gave her Watkins medicine which Mom disliked because it was icky. Do you remember a medicine Watkins had that came in a glass bottle shaped like a giraffe? Because that was the medicine Mom disliked as a little girl and I wondered if it was part of an animal children's medicine line?
Dodger

she might be remembering a product called 'tonsiline' (it's still sold). it wasn't an exclusive watkins product but it did have a giraffe on the bottle.