How to Make Your Own Vanilla Extract

Once you make this homemade vanilla extract, you will never go back to buying the store-bought stuff again. It is so easy to make your own at home, much cheaper than what you can buy at the store, and it tastes amazing! Plus, it’s pure, with no additives, sugar, etc.

Making your own homemade vanilla is another step towards controlling ingredients in the foods that you eat and towards being more self-sufficient.

Most of all, it is so satisfying to make your own vanilla extract!

Made with just two ingredients this homemade vanilla extract makes an amazing, rich, flavor that’s perfect for cookies, cakes, and more. It’s a kitchen staple that every baker needs and makes a thoughtful homemade gift.

It’s simple, cost-effective, and the flavor is far better than anything you’ll pick up at the grocery store.

Ingredients for Making Homemade Vanilla Extact

• Vanilla Bean Pods – vanilla beans like Madagascar, Tahitian, or Mexican. These Madagascar beans work great.
• Alcohol – You can use vodka, rum, bourbon, or brandy. I used vodka. It needs to be at least 35% alcohol (70 proof). The quality of the alcohol won’t change the flavor so don’t worry about buying top shelf.
• Glass bottles or jars and labels – Small bottles with labels. This is the bottle I used.

The general proportion of vanilla bean to alcohol is roughly: 5 vanilla beans per cup of liquid.

Keep in mind that this is an estimate. If you want to make your vanilla stronger, you can add more beans.

Steps in Preparing Homemade Vanilla Extract

STEP 1: Prepare the vanilla beans by splitting them lengthwise with a sharp knife to expose the seeds. You don’t need to cut all the way through – just enough to expose the seeds inside. This is what gives your extract its flavor.

STEP 2: Place the beans in your glass bottle or jar. Cut them into smaller pieces if needed to fit.

STEP 3: Use a small funnel, and pour vodka (or your chosen alcohol) over the beans until fully submerged. Make sure no beans are sticking out above the liquid or they could spoil.

STEP 4: Tightly seal the bottle and shake well. Store in a cool, dark place, shaking every few days.

Vanilla extract will take three to six months. You can begin using it after three months, but the flavors will just continue to intensify and get better with time. Vanilla is ready to use around 6 months, but the flavor continues to improve if you let it sit longer.  You can also taste test and see how it tastes. Vanilla extract will always have some alcohol smell, but when the vanilla is done, it should have a vanilla smell first and alcohol second.

STEP 5: When the vanilla is ready, use it in your recipes or give as thoughtful gifts.

Enjoy

Enjoy the wonderful satisfaction of making your own homemade vanilla extract with just 2 ingredients.

Making homemade vanilla extract is one of those simple kitchen projects that really pays off. It requires very little effort, is not expensive and produces wonderful vanilla that is much better than what you can buy at the store. Plus you know exactly what is in the vanilla.

Whether you’re making it for yourself or giving it as a thoughtful gift, this DIY vanilla extract will transform your baking for years to come.

See my website at www.HawkPointHomestead.com for more of my canning recipes and other favorite recipes, plus posts about other homestead-type activities, such as gardening and raising chickens.