Homemade Vanilla Extract
After tiring of paying through the nose to buy vanilla extract for all of my baking needs, I decided to invest in the process up front and make my own. It's quite easy, and the taste can't be beat!
Here’s what you need:
Sanitized jars that can be sealed well.
Fresh Vanilla Beans 6 per pint-sized jar is fine. Just remember, the more vanilla beans you have, the stronger your extract will be.
Your Choice of Vodka, 1.75mL worth - I used Skol because I have no idea what type of Vodka is “good” vodka. No, really, I’m totally an alcohol novice. You could give me gin, and tell me it’s vodka (I just learned that they are the same color while on my trip to the grocery store) and I’d skip happily away. Don’t judge me.
Cutting board
Pairing Knife
Take your paring knife and slice the vanilla bean from tip to tip. You don’t want to slice through to the other side, but you do want the skin to open up to reveal the seedy part. It’s going to look like dirt. Seriously.
Put the beans into the mason jar.
Put the lid on the jar.
Screw it on.
Store these in a cool dark place and give them a shake every couple of weeks. You can let these sit for as long as you want – of course, the vanilla flavor will steep more the longer you wait. I plan to give these out as Christmas presents to the bakers in my family. Easy peasy, and quite easy on the wallet. PLUS – you’re getting WAY more than you do in those two-ounce deals in the grocery store. How ‘bout them apples?!
Came back to add - after the extract has gotten to the strength that you desire, strain it into a dark bottle with cheesecloth (to catch the vanilla beans) - decorate it with a label, and voila! Your very own homemade vanilla extract.
I am so doing this! This is such a neat idea... and as a gift? Yes! I can definitely do that. What else can I soak in vodka and give away? I'm so serious...
My mom use to make homemade extract. Me, I buy it at the store but it's expensive so this may just happen.
How Cool is this!!! Vanilla extract is expensive I would love to make my own! I can't wait to share this with my mom and sister!!!!
What an easy and useful recipe! Although it does make me wonder if I should be putting vanilla extract into my green smoothies. Lol ♀️
I have always wanted to know how to do this, but always figured it was one of those things that was not a part of my ministry. But you make it look so easy! Can't wait to try this out!
The price of Vanilla extract has drastically increased. This could save some me money and it actually looks pretty easy to do. Maybe I’ll give it a try.
Vanilla Extract is a staple in my kitchen. I'm bookmarking this post. It will be cool to make my own in the future.
My mom would love this tutorial! She uses Vanilla Extract daily!