It’s completely understandable if you would want to go out and buy yourself vanilla extract at the store. But if you’re reading this blog, chances are you’re comfortable experimenting in the kitchen and when you’re going to bke your own cake, why not make the ingredients that go into it as well? This I’m sure of: once you’ve made your own vanilla extract, there is just no going back to the store-bought one.
Branded vanilla extract is usually too sweet and uneven. If you opt for the purer, higher quality option your wallet will complain. Why bother when you could spend under 10 minutes and make your own using only 2 ingredients?
The process is as simple as they come: A sterilized bottle, some vodka which could be easily replaced by rum or bourbon and a few vanilla beans. Put them in a tight fitting lid jar and store for 8 weeks in a dry and cool place. Sounds easy right? You could also package these in a fancy bottle and gift to a food enthusiast friend.
Homemade vanilla extract has a fountain-of-youth quality about it. Once you’ve used, say, 30% of your extract, you can replace the diminished amount with vodka (just make sure you use the same liquor you used earlier) and voila, it’s like the extract never ran out! You can add in a fresh bunch of beans every once in a while and remove the old ones if the jar becomes too crowded.
Now you don’t want to go throwing those empty pods. They can be bunged into a jar of sugar or your tea tin to flavor them.
Try it. Once I started using my own vanilla extract in all my baked goods, like I said – there was no going back to the store for it.
- 4 cups vodka (could be replaced with rum or bourbon)
- 12 vanilla beans
- 1 large sterilized air tight bottle
- Split the vanilla beans using a sharp knife. The idea is to expose the seeds but leaving the ends as it is. Put them in your jar.
- Pour the vodka over the vanilla beans.
- Put the lid on the bottle, and store for a 6-8 weeks. Give the bottle a stir once or twice a week.
i had no idea that vanilla extract was made this way! its so simple, yet we pay so much money for a tiny jar of it!
love the bottle you used, elegant. useful post …thanks :)
I use vanilla beans ALL THE TIME and why I have yet to make my own vanilla extract is beyond me! Think it’s time I get out and purchase some good jars…and some vodka!
I love how simple this is!! I’ve bought vanilla extract a couple of times but I’m sooo gonna try this!
Shut up! You MADE this? You mean I can make this too? I have almost a full bottle of vodka leftover from the December holiday entertaining, and I resigned to having it for a few years. If I can make something as useful as this, then I’m very happy not to have a bottle of vodka gathering dust in the pantry. I’m buying vanilla beans THIS weekend. You rock!
Fantastic! This is such a great idea. Thanks for sharing such a useful post :)
Nice! :D I would never thought of it myself! I got vodka:D I made my own vanillasugar and it taste so good:D But when this one runs out, I´ll try your recipe! :D
Love this! I’ve been meaning to do this since I found vanilla beans, relatively cheap at saffron.com *sigh* add it to the list!
I have some “brewing” now and can’t wait to use it :)
This is SO EASY. I am definitely making it. Love this!
Homemade extract is awesome, isn’t it? I made some at the beginning of January with light rum and it’s just great!
I never knew it was that easy. You have made me one happy lady! This is awesome!!! Not Your Ordinary Agent
Not Your Ordinary Recipes
Super yum. Home made always better. Love the color.
This is definitely a money saver, I do not even want to think about how much I spend on the stuff. Only 12 beans yields 3 cups! Also this is easy peasy-no excuse not to make it. Thanks for posting this!
I just won a bottle of homemade vanilla. I can’t wait to use it. Your’s looks lovely!
That is genius! I’m going to make that soon.
I have been noodling around (that’s like thinking about) doing this since November and have just never gotten around to it. But one of my foodie friends is getting married in a few months, so I may have to do this as part of her gift!
Oh I am making some soon! I use powdered vanilla beans in my cooking! I am running out to get some beans and make this!
Thanks for sharing!
I’m Linda from KY. How do you make powdered vanilla please !
Agreed! I’ve been making my own vanilla extract for years. It is definitely crazy to pay the kind of prices they go for at the stores.
You don’t need to use fresh beans for this. I use the pods from which I have already scraped out the seeds (I have a blog entry on this). The flavor is potent enough that you don’t need the whole thing. It seems wasteful otherwise as beans are expensive…
My I have your email please / sounds great ! Thanks !
I’ve always wanted to do this. Thanks for the reminder/inspiration!
This is on my to-do list! Thanks for the reminder!
Love making baking staples like this from scratch!
At some point I knew it was this simple, but I forgot. I love the idea of gifting this out to friends and family. I would much rather make my own than pay the huge amount it is now going for at the store.
I’ve made this with both vodka and bourbon! Next up…rum!!!
I will definitely go for this home version of vanilla extract but the thing is we cannot find vanilla beans over here. I have not seen it before, so leaving no choice, I buy the essence.
absolutely nice idea and what nice pictures!
Thanks Gloria!
Made a couple of bottles last year…love it!
I’m totally stoked about this! I run through vanilla extract like there’s no tomorrow, but I’ve never had the idea to make it myself. If I credit you, link and all, I’d like to steal this… :)
Sure. :)
This is perfect! I use more vanilla extract then just about anything else in my kitchen. I love the stuff and you know whats weird? I love the smell. I’m going to try this over the weekend!!
I had no idea it was that simple!! I love your picture… so pretty!! What a great post… you taught me a valuable trick. :)
I can’t belive vanilla extract can be made using vodka, I never imagine to use liquor to make it. I’m learning so much…!!!
Okay don’t be surprised….I didn’t know vanilla extract has vodka or any other alcohol in it… geez, it shows how much I’m not a non-baker! I hear about vanilla extract not being so pure, and you can only trust your homemade version. I’d totally consider this. How long can we keep it?
Nami,
This can last forever. You just need to keep adding alcohol and new beans every now and then. I totally recommend you give this a try.
Nami,
I purchased the vodka and beans in November to prepare for Christmas gifts; however everything is still sitting in pantry. I’m going pull it out this weekend and prepare. To answer your question one reason I wanted to give it a try is because I’ve read and been told it keeps forever. You just continue to add alcohol and beans as needed.
Thanks PRM! These would make as an excellent Christmas gift.
I so wish to make this at home but where ever i saw vanilla beans .. they are so freaking expensive! Need to find some better place to buy the beans and then got to try this!
I just need a few bottles of vodka (ahem!) and I would be set! THis is a great recipe, and love the photos :) Amazing.
I’m so glad to have come across this recipe :) because it’s so expensive to buy real vanilla extract! The last bottle i bought was like $20 AUD for like 20 mls gosh!!! I’m definitely going to try and make my own sometime soon ~ So then I wont feel so guilty using so much of it ~
I am DEFINITELY going to try this! I don’t bake a lot, but I bake enough or at least use vanilla extract enough to have such a delicacy around. What a fantastic post! Thanks so much for sharing this!
This will be fun to make and give as gifts- thanks for sharing! Oh…and buzz
I can see this turning into a cocktail in our house!
I’ve had this on my list to make at home when I run out of vanilla extract and you’re right – what a great, great gift from the kitchen! I’ve loved reading your blog over the last couple and have awarded you a Liebster Blog Love award – go to my site and pick it up at
http://thewimpyvegetarian.com/2012/02/the-perfect-his-and-hers-steak-dinner-and-another-liebster-blog-award/ and keep up the great blogging that you do!
Aw… thank you so much. I’m honored.
That is something I have never thought of but what a great idea. It is so true that pure vanilla extract is over the top in price! Thanks for sharing some excellent advice.
I had no idea how to make your own extract – this is great!
Mary x
I keep saying I need to do this and never following through! The holidays always creep up on me and I end up wishing I’d made extract earlier to give as gifts. Starting it now would be so much smarter while it’s on my brain :)
I don’t know why I’ve never bothered to make homemade vanilla extract. What a great recipe to try out sometime. Thanks for the lesson in vanilla extract making and of course, Congratulations on Top 9!! =]
Wow, I too had no idea it was made this way – thank you so much for sharing this… I love recipes like this. I made some cherry brandy last year which was delicious. I can see I’ll be making vanilla extract next time around – what a beautiful gift for friends too! I like to make my own Vanilla sugar too… all you need to do is dry off the vanilla pod after use, put it into a sealed container full of about 1.5 cups of sugar for 4 weeks and you have your own perfectly infused vanilla sugar! Easy as pie :)
I am embarrassed to tell you that with as much baking that I do, I have never made my own vanilla extract! This is being bumped up to the very top of my to do list! This looks so incredibly simple and I imagine so much better! I guess as you replenish your vodka, you let it sit another 8 weeks before using? (Perhaps I should keep 2 jars going at all times!) Your photo is gorgeous and congrats and no wonder this made the top 9! : )
Thanks Anne! You don’t need to wait for 8 weeks in order to make another jar. When 1/3rd of the bottle is empty, just add in more alcohol. The bottle will last forever. Also, every now and then you can replace the old beans with new ones.
Hello,
Yes, vanilla extract is so easy to make at home, but it is extremely important to use the correct ratio of vanilla beans to alcohol. It is also important to use good quality vanilla beans. Most stores, especially online, sell very “weak” vanilla beans that do not contain much vanillin (the active ingredient of vanilla).
First and foremost, you MUST use at least 5 vanilla beans per 8 ounces alcohol. For 4 cups, at least 20 vanilla beans should be used.
A great source for vanilla is Beanilla Trading Co. They specialize in vanilla and always have really large vanilla beans. They sell online for $1 per bean.
Thanks Brent! While you recommend 4 beans per cup, I’ve been using 3 and it has given great results. I’ll give your version a try and thrown in another bean the next time round.
Benilla is a great source, they keep quality beans and other material to package as well.
I agree – when using vanilla always use good quality vanilla, and making it yourself certainly saves a few dollars. Especially if you use a lot of it!
This is awesome! And would make great holiday gifts!
I really need to do this…great post :)
Never knew it was that easy.Great tutorial and pics :)
I’ve been meaning to do this since I started blogging and read about it, but only got around to it in January – think I’m on week 6. Looking forward to trying it.
Every time I come to your blog, I learn something new :D
I am definitely putting you in my favourites section of my blogroll!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Wow, this is so economical and besides I would love to make it at home. The thrill of doing it yourself. Thanks for sharing.
The photographs look stunning!!!
OOhh!! I love the idea of doing it with Rum!!!
I need to do this. I even have vanilla beans in the pantry. So easy!!
I made some vanilla back in December and it’s BEEYOOTIFUL!! I read somewhere that the best vanilla extract is 2 years old. I’m trying to wait but I don’t think I can. I’m going to make another batch and hide it from myself. :)
Really?! I just made another batch and I think I’m going to try and keep that for 2 years and see if its any better.
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I just started my first batch ! Can’t wait to try it ! I will start more for gift giving ! Thank you so much !!!!!!
Oh you have my attention!!! I love finding more natural ingredients:-) This would be fun to do, and really easy, love that:-) Thank you for sharing! Hugs, Terra
Where did you get the container used for the diy vanilla? I have looked all over but cant find any like that one.
Looking forward to making the homemade vanilla!!
Hey Annie! I chanced upon it at the local store. You can pick any jar that is well sterilized.
Why does the bottle have to be sterile as opposed to just clean? For one, you are filling it with alcohol and two, you say to open it and keep putting in more beans and vodka so it is being kept sterile? Wouldn’t a clean bottle be fine?
I meant to write so it is not being kept sterile.
Hi Cathy.
You need to sterilize the bottle so that any bacteria inside the jar will die. Also, if you see the jar/bottle is not supposed to be opened for the first 6 to 8 weeks at all. You’re only storing it and giving it a shake once in a way.
You add in fresh beans only once you’ve used up 30% and that too is optional. Its advised only so you never run out of vanilla extract.
Hope this helps.
A