Cherry Almond Squares - no artificial anything in this recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Why do maraschino cherries taste like almond extract? ›

Maraschino cherries (named after the Croatian Marasca variety), often called 'co*cktail cherries', are cherries which have been dyed red, impregnated with sugar, and packed in a sugar syrup that is flavoured with oil of bitter almonds, or a similar flavour.

Cherry and almond are fairly closely related, and both have a distinct flavor of benzaldehyde. Some almond extracts are even made from cherry pits. So that is likely the flavor association you're getting.

What is Almond Extract? Almond extract is an intensely flavored and concentrated liquid used to induce the taste of almonds in a variety of delicacies. It is known for its rich flavor and is widely used in baked goods, desserts, and cooking recipes.

To make your own, you'll bring sugar, water, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and almond extract to a simmer. The teaspoon of almond extract gives the cherries their signature maraschino taste. Once the mixture has reached a simmer, you pour it over pitted cherries and leave it to cool.

Pure almond extract is made from almonds, or from the pits of stone fruits that have been cold pressed and combined with alcohol and water. Imitation almond extract, on the other hand, is made from synthetic materials made to taste like the flavor extracted from the almonds or stone fruits.

Vanilla extract is the closest substitute listed here, and is least likely to change the flavor outcome of your dish.

Benzaldehyde and similar chemicals occur naturally in many foods. Most of the benzaldehyde that people eat is from natural plant foods, such as almonds. Almonds, apricots, apples, and cherry seed contain significant amounts of amygdalin.

If you're one of the folks who loves almonds, but inexplicably finds yourself wrinkling your nose up at baked goods perfumed with almond extract, the simple reason might be that almond extract is often commercially made from the inside of peach pits, not almonds at all.

Why do my almonds taste bitter? ›

According to Remaud et al. (1997), the benzaldehyde produced upon hydrolysis of amygdalin is responsible for the bitterness in almonds. The flavor of benzaldehyde can be appreciated even upon chopping almonds with a low amygdalin content (the slightly bitter genotypes).

Artificial almond extract contains no almonds and is therefore safe for those with an almond allergy. However, people with nut allergies should always consult with an allergist if they are unsure and should always carry an EpiPen with them.

Source: Almond extract is derived from real almonds, resulting in a genuine almond taste. Almond essence, on the other hand, is an artificial or synthetic flavouring that replicates the taste and aroma of almonds.

While you won't get the almond flavor, you really can't go wrong subbing vanilla for almond extract.

After bleaching, they're soaked in another solution for about one month. This solution contains red food dye, sugar, and oil of bitter almonds or an oil with a similar flavor. The end result are bright red, very sweet cherries ( 4 ).

The modern maraschino cherry tastes more like candy than fruit. You find them on top of a sundae or included with your favorite co*cktail to give it an extra burst of sweetness. Classic maraschino cherries preserved in maraschino liqueur retain more of a true cherry flavor with a touch of almond flavoring.

Many do not include almonds in their formula at all and are flavored entirely with stone fruit pits. Cherries are a stone fruit. You may be picking up on the stone fruit quality some amarettos strongly carry.

Almonds are more closely related to cherries than cashews and other nuts. Both almond and cherry trees are members of the Prunus genus which includes other popular stone fruit trees like the plum, peach, apricot and nectarine.