For Immediate Release:

Light, fresh flavors enliven traditional cookout sweets

Waukegan, Ill. (June 20, 2015) – America is celebrating its 239th birthday this Independence Day, and the majority of Americans will commemorate it around a picnic table. Last year, two thirds of U.S. consumers observed the Fourth of July holiday with a cookout, barbeque, or picnic, and spent an estimated $6.2 billion on food for the occasion (National Retail Federation).

In preparation for a day of dear ones and desserts, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has red, white, and blue recipes that offer fresh takes on two American classics: sugar cookies and shortcake.

"The Fourth of July is a fun and festive opportunity to bake for loved ones," said Beth Nielsen, Chief Culinary Officer of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Inc. "Instead of grabbing a sheet cake from the store, it can be surprisingly simple to put personal, elegant twists on traditional favorites, whether you're bringing homemade dessert to a friend's house or hosting the whole neighborhood."

Nielsen-Massey's recipes balance the simplicity of classic dishes with the stand-out taste of complementary extracts and flavors. A plate of star-shaped Orange Blossom Sugar Cookies , topped with red, white, and blue glaze, serves up fresh notes of the orange grove at a summer get together without alienating young, picky eaters or less adventurous guests.

For a patriotic dessert that engages all ages, set up a station for Berry-Almond Shortcake with Vanilla-Mascarpone Cream (recipe below). The mascarpone cream showcases Nielsen-Massey's Organic Fairtrade Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and a sweet touch of honey, while butter-browned shortcakes carry rich, nutty flavor from the Pure Almond Extract and almond flour.

Berry Almond Shortcake with Vanilla-Mascarpone Cream
Serves 8

Topping
Makes about 2 cups
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup Mascarpone cheese
3 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons Nielsen-Massey Organic Fairtrade Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract

In a deep mixing bowl, beat cream with an electric mixer on medium-high until peaks start to form. Add Mascarpone cheese, honey and vanilla extract; beat until combined. Cover and refrigerate.

Berries
1 pound fresh strawberries, stemmed, rinsed and quartered
1/2 pound fresh blueberries, rinsed
2 tablespoons Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar

In a large bowl, add strawberries and blueberries. Sprinkle vanilla sugar over berries and gently stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate.

Shortcakes
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup almond meal flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces
2 teaspoons Nielsen-Massey Organic Fairtrade Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Almond Extract
1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk
granulated sugar to roll dough (about 2 tablespoons)
1 tablespoon butter, melted (optional)

Place oven rack in center of oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line a small heavy light-colored rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

Place flours, sugar, baking powder and salt in a food processor bowl and pulse until combined. Add butter pieces, vanilla and almond extracts and pulse until dough resembles a coarse crumb. Place in a large mixing bowl and gently stir in buttermilk, just until buttermilk is combined.

Transfer crumbly dough onto sugared work surface and bring together. Lightly knead and shape into a circle. Roll dough into an 8 inches circle, about 1/2 inch thick.

Using a 3 inches biscuit cutter, cut 4 shortcake rounds. Place shortcakes in prepared pan. Bring remaining dough together; repeat process and cut an additional 4 shortcakes. Brush top of shortcakes with melted butter. Bake until done, about 15-18 minutes. Slightly cool on a wire rack before serving. Slice shortcakes in half; add berries and Vanilla-Mascarpone Cream.

Visit www.nielsenmassey.com for additional vanilla-infused summer dessert recipes, including:

Berry Almond Tart
Summer Sherbet Treats
Orange Blossom Fruit Salad

About Nielsen-Massey Vanillas
Throughout its more than 100 year history, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has earned its reputation as a manufacturer of the finest extracts in the world. The full line of Nielsen-Massey’s Pure Vanilla products include: Vanilla Beans and Extracts from Madagascar, Tahiti and Mexico; sugar and alcohol-free Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Powder; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar, Organic Fairtrade Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and Organic Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Beans. Nielsen-Massey Fairtrade products are certified by FLOCERT.

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas also offers a full line of Pure Flavors: Pure Chocolate Extract, Pure Almond Extract, Pure Orange Extract, Pure Lemon Extract, Pure Coffee Extract, Pure Peppermint Extract, Orange Blossom Water and Rose Water. All Nielsen-Massey products are All-Natural, Allergen-Free, GMO-Free, and certified Kosher and Gluten-Free. The company is headquartered in Waukegan, Illinois, with production facilities in Waukegan and Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.

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Photos are available upon request. For more information about Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, contact:
Gardi Wilks, gwilks@savoragency.com
Savor – the food agency, 847.556.7511