The world’s top bakers are issuing a challenge: pick your baking level, and then stretch yourself to try something new. World Baking Day is May 19, your opportunity to “Bake Brave,” by trying one of the 100 recipes submitted by top bakers from around the world. Test your skill with a baking challenge that leaves even top chefs quaking in their aprons – then add rich flavor to your cakes, muffins and brownies by using Nielsen-Massey Vanilla’s pure extracts and flavors

“Top bakers know the quality of your ingredients greatly influences your success,” says Craig Nielsen, CEO of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas. “Pure vanilla extract, for example, adds sweet, rich, creaminess with just a few drops. They are essential to your success.”

World Baking Day recipes may be found at www.worldbakingday.com, along with photos and bios of the global chefs who created the recipes. Recipes are ranked 1 to 100 – find your level and bake something delicious. Try adding Nielsen-Massey Pure Vanilla Extract or Pure Flavors to make these delicious dishes even better.

Are you a beginner? Number one is an easy banana muffin, created for first time bakers by South African cake decorator and author Grace Stevens. Use one half of a Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean for creamy rich flavor with visual appeal from the flecks of the vanilla bean.

Are you used to working with box mixes? Stretch yourself with a reasonable challenge, like Number 6, Pay Day Brownies, by South African Jackie Burns. With peanut butter, chocolate and nuts, it’s a perfect recipe for pleasing your family. To make sure it has the creamy sweet flavor everyone loves, use Nielsen-Massey Pure Vanilla Extract. The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons powdered coffee; for richer flavor, try an equal amount of Nielsen-Massey Pure Coffee Extract.

Want to stretch your kitchen capacity? Try Number 67, Carmela’s Lemon Loaves, by British cook book author Carmela Hayes. Seriously lemony, these loaves are perfect for sharing – or freeze one to enjoy later. Simplify the recipe by using Nielsen-Massey Pure Lemon Extract in place of fresh lemon juice (use just under ¼ cup), and don’t forget the Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract to add a slightly tropical flavor to your fresh citrus cake.

Ready for the ultimate challenge? Number 100, The Ultimate Challenge Cream Puff Pie, was created by Cake Boss Buddy Valastro, of the U.S.A., and includes a 32-item ingredient list combined in 18 detailed steps. Valastro describes the three-tier cake as “complicated, decadent, and irresistible.” Use Nielsen-Massey Vanillas Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract, and a drop or two of Pure Lemon Flavor.

Follow the World Baking Day festivities on Facebook or tweet your results at #bakebrave. Share how you’ve used your Nielsen-Massey products on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NielsenMasseyVanillas.