How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract is expensive! A small bottle can set you back almost ten bucks. If you do a lot of baking it can really add up over time! What if I told you that you can make it yourself and it will cost you a fraction of what you pay at the supermarket.

All you need is:

• 5–6 vanilla beans
• 80 proof vodka
• Glass bottles or jars with a tight seal, washed & dried
• And patience!!!

If you can find them, try to find organic vanilla beans so you don’t have to worry about any contaminants or chemicals in your vanilla extract that might effect the flavor.

Decant vodka into a clean glass container.

Using a sharp knife, slit the vanilla beans length wise, so the bean paste/seeds are exposed.

Place the beans into the bottle or jar, making sure the beans are completely immersed in the vodka.

If the length of the vanilla beans won’t fit easily into your glass container, just cut them into smaller pieces so they fit.

Seal container and give it a good shake. Don’t worry about the seeds floating in the vodka, they will add more vanilla goodness to your baked goods!!!

Be sure to mark your bottles with the date you start them so you know how long the vanilla extract has aged.

Store containers at room temperature out of direct sunlight. Shake containers about once a week or once every couple of weeks.

The hardest part is having the patience to wait until the vanilla flavor is intense enough to use. Vanilla extract is ready to be used after about 10-12 months. For optimal flavor, it’s best to wait 18 months.

TIP: Soak labels off small empty bottles and use them to give vanilla extract as gifts.

As you begin to use your vanilla extract, refill the bottle with more vodka each time. Give it a good shake after you refill the bottle and again before each use. You want to make sure the vanilla beans are always completely submerged in the vodka. The beans will become slimy if they aren’t.

You can refill bottle for up to about a year, after that the vanilla beans will lose their vanilla-ness and will need to be replaced. You will notice that your vanilla extract loses its potency after time.

• Vanilla extract (that still has beans submerged in it) will last for several years.
• Aged Vanilla extract (without any beans submerged in the liquid) will last indefinitely if stored in a cool dark place.

To always have vanilla extract on hand when you need it, I recommend starting a new bottle every few months. That way you will always have some on hand and probably end up with extra that you can give away as a gift.

If you’re going to give vanilla extract as a gift, decant the liquid into a dark glass bottle. I love to tie a bit of twine around the neck of the bottle and add a small gift tag. It’s a simple way to to make it look special with a minimum of fuss.

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