Homemade vanilla extract requires only two ingredients and makes all of your baked goods taste amazing. Learn how to make vanilla extract.
Once you realize how easy it is to make vanilla extract at home, you won’t go back to store bought!
My recent shopping trip to pick up some baking supplies got me to thinking…
I know that imitation vanilla is really just a bunch of gross chemicals manufactured to taste like actual vanilla. Real vanilla is pricey, and for someone who bakes as much as I do, it’s enough to put you in the poorhouse.
I looked back and forth between the organic vanilla extract and the organic vanilla beans and thought:
Hold the phone, I can extract that vanilla goodness myself!!
Vanilla beans at our store are about $6 for two. A four-ounce bottle of good vanilla extract is almost $10. I quickly realized I could save some money by making this myself, and have a little fun while I’m at it!
When I returned home from my grocery shopping extravaganza hours later, I set to making my vanilla extract. The process took about 5-10 minutes, but then I realized I had to let it sit for 2 months before I could use it. Back to the grocery to buy some extract! I can’t wait two months to bake cookies. That’s insane.
Here’s the steps all graphically laid out for you so learn how to make vanilla extract too! Just don’t make the same mistake as I did and remember to make yourself some extract approximately two months before you’re going to run out.
You may want to make extra for homemade gifts.
How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract
Step 1: Go to the store and buy 2-3 vanilla beans. You can also order vanilla beans on Amazon here. Struggle way too hard to open the cap without letting the beans come flying out at a velocity only seen in space. Fail miserably.
Step 2: Utilize five-second rule, scoop up beans off the floor, blow off dust and hairs, and place them on the ultra cool robot cutting board your pops made for you.
Step 3: Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the beans in half and then down the stem, so they look like a pair of shiny, smelly trousers for a very skinny two inch tall human.
Step 4: Place the tiny pants in a classic vintage jar that has a tight fitting lid. Or if you only have lame, new glassware, I suppose that would work as well.
Step 5: Open up your most favorite plain flavorless vodka. Measure out a cup of vodka and pour it over those vanilla beans.
Step 6: Twist that cap onto the top of the jar and stash it in the cupboard. Let it sit for at least two months, shaking it up on occasion. Over time, your vanilla extract will turn a deep shade of brown as the vanilla bean infuses into the vodka.
After the vanilla has extracted for two months, use the homemade vanilla in your favorite recipes. You can leave the vanilla beans in the alcohol and top off the bottle with vodka as you use the vanilla extract.
Homemade Vanilla Extract
Ingredients
- 3 whole vanilla beans
- 1 cup vodka (80 proof)
Instructions
- Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the vanilla beans in half.
- Place the vanilla beans in a clean jar.
- Pour the vodka into the jar and shake.
- Cover, label, and place the jar in a dark, cool location for at least 2 months.
- Shake the jar occasionally during this time to distribute the vanilla.
- Use the homemade vanilla in your favorite recipes. You can leave the vanilla beans in the alcohol and top off the bottle with vodka as you use the vanilla extract.
Nutrition
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I have been making my own extract (vanilla, lemon, orange, cinnamon) for almost a year now! Its amazing how much better it tastes and the price point can’t be beat!!! Congrats on your new adventure … it will be worth the wait!
That’s awesome! I can’t wait to try it. It’s so much fun finding new things to make at home, and this was so easy I couldn’t believe it!
I’ve been making vanilla for a long time, I find it easiest to always have 2 batches going, that way when I finish one, I make another and have a back up to use . It’s so good, you’ll never go back to store bought. I keep meaning to try to make it with the vanilla flavored vodkas that I keep seeing in the store, but just haven’t gotten around to it.
That’s a great idea, Lynn! I’m totally going to do that! I’m a month in and can’t wait to try the finished product next month. I’ve also heard you can keep adding new vodka to the jar as you use the extract and you can use the same beans for much longer. It will be a fun experiment!
After my vanilla has been sitting for 2 months (and I make much more than a cup at a time), I put the jar in a double boiler to evaporate off some of the alcohol taste – about 180 degrees F. I bring it down about 1/3, now it is more concentrated and doesn’t make the smoothies taste like a night on the town.
Hahha, that’s a great idea!! I’ll have to see how mine tastes when it’s finished, I smelled it a few days ago and it was very boozy, so I may have to do something about that. Thanks for the tip!
Your writing cracks me up! And I am in love with your robot cutting board.
Every time I buy vanilla I remember how I was supposed to make my own. I don’t have the patience to wait 2 months, so I always end up buying it. One of these days I’ll get some going!
Great post. I found you on The Scoop linky party. I will be back for sure!
I am giving away a set of Ball Canning blue pint jars on my blog right now, I hope you’ll stop by!
Lisa
Fresh Eggs Daily
http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2013/04/giveaway-ball-heritage-collection-pint.html
Thanks for stopping by, Lisa! I’ve been following your blog for months, I love it! I just entered your giveaway, really hope I win!
Just found your blog via Frugal by Choice and wanted to offer a tip. You can buy vanilla beans online (Amazon) for significantly less than the grocery store charges. I find the beans to be much plumper and moister as well. Good luck!
That’s amazing, thank you Emily! I’m definitely going to get them there next time! 🙂
Your writing cracks me up! And I am in love with your robot cutting board.
Every time I buy vanilla I remember how I was supposed to make my own. I don’t have the patience to wait 2 months, so I always end up buying it. One of these days I’ll get some going!
Thanks Ginger!! My dad made that cutting board for me! 🙂