Homemade Vanilla Extract

I have been wanting to make homemade vanilla extract for YEARS! For some reason I was insistent on making it so I could give it as a gift, but would always think about it when it was too late. But this year, I successfully planned ahead, and I’m so glad I finally made it!

Day one

After 8 weeks

When I’m baking, especially around the holiday season, I go through a lot of vanilla, so the idea of making it myself has always interested me. However, the time that it takes always seemed too lengthy, or like a huge commitment. But really, it ended up being neither of those things. It was so incredibly easy. So easy that I often forgot about it (though I did grumble a bit when I ran out of store bought vanilla before this batch was ready and I had to go purchase more). My friends and family bake a lot too, so this year, I gave a bunch of these as Christmas presents, and they seem to have been well received! I found the 1 ounce apothecary bottles for the gifts at The Container Store.

For this batch, I used 1 vanilla bean for every 2 ounces of liquid. This yielded a really solidly infused product, and I think it is perfect for the type of baking that I do. If you want to make an extract that is more intense and condensed, you could change that ratio to 1 vanilla bean per 1 ounce of liquid. The most wonderful part about making this is that aside from measuring the liquid (Tip: a pint of liquid is 16 oz), you literally put split vanilla beans in a bottle, and only have to remember it once a week. Set it and forget it.

I soaked the beans for a grand total of 8 weeks, though of course, you could keep them in longer, or even keep them in there forever if you plan on using the extract straight from the bottle you made it in. Supposedly you can easily create more extract when you’re running low by adding more vodka to the bottle that still has beans in it. I haven’t tried that out yet but it sounds worth a shot!

I look forward to finally using this delicious extract! Though after this month, I feel like I may not be needing to make or eat any sweets for quite a while. Reviews from my family so far are that it is a success. So give this a go, and in 2 months, you will be glad you started it.

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Homemade Vanilla Extract

Servings 10 Ounces

Ingredients

• 5 Vanilla Beans
• 10 Ounces Vodka

Instructions

• Split the vanilla beans long ways to expose the seeds. Place all 10 halves into the 10 ounces of liquid. Use a bottle that seals well. Place in a dark place for at least 8 weeks. Shake once a week.