Homemade Vanilla Extract

ByMissy Rakes
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See how EASY it is to make your own Homemade Vanilla Extract on gracefullittlehoneybee.com

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Homemade Vanilla Extract

Making homemade vanilla extract is soooo easy. Basically, all you do is pop your beans in alcohol and walk away. I actually made up this batch of extract last November and I’m just now straining and bottling it for storage.

The beauty of making extract is that you truly can’t mess it up. Plus, it makes for a great gift and if you mix up a batch soon it will be ready just in time for Christmas! And of course since you’re making your extract at home with high quality ingredients you will end up with a superior product than store bought. Read on to learn how easy it is to make your own Homemade Vanilla Extract my friends!

 

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How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract:

4-5 vanilla beans per cup of vodka

Vodka (at least 35% alcohol)

I used a 1.75 liter bottle of vodka and 44 vanilla beans = 22 vanilla beans per quart mason jar. I ordered these vanilla beans from Amazon.

 

homemade-vanilla-extract-1Step 1: Split beans in half lengthwise and cut in half to fit into jars.

 

homemade-vanilla-extract-3Step 2: Cover beans with vodka and seal jar with lid.

Step 3: Let steep in a cool, dark place for 6 weeks or up to one year. The longer you let it sit, the stronger your vanilla flavor.

homemade-vanilla-extract-4Step 4: When your extract is done steeping, strain liquid into desired jars and use in baking just like you would store-bought vanilla.


That it my friends! I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and will consider making your own vanilla extract at home. It really is easy!

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Homemade Vanilla Extract

Make your own Vanilla Extract for your on hand pantry staples.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Pantry Staple
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Homemade Vanilla Extract
Calories: 4560kcal

Ingredients

  • 4-5 vanilla beans per cup of vodka
  • Vodka at least 35% alcohol

Instructions

  • Split beans in half lengthwise and cut in half to fit into jars.
  • Cover beans with vodka and seal jar with lid.
  • Let steep in a cool, dark place for 6 weeks or up to one year. The longer you let it sit, the stronger your vanilla flavor.
  • When vanilla is done steeping, strain into desired jars.
  • Use the same as you would store-bought vanilla.

Notes

I used a 1.75 liter bottle of vodka and 44 vanilla beans = 22 vanilla beans per quart mason jar.

Nutrition

Calories: 4560kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Fat: 33g | Sodium: 18mg

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22 Comments

  1. Hi Missy it is lovely to see posts still coming through from you I have several that I have saved and read constantly like hints from the depression era, love your writing. thank you for all you do and todays post will see me making my own vanilla!
    Reply
    2. Hi Missy, I enjoy your posts and ideas . For 40 years I raised a garden ,canned, froze and baked from scratch. My clothes were on a close line in summer and in the garage with the door partly open in winter. I made my girls clothes until I could not keep up with the trends and the "in" clothes of a teenager,,,even then made prom and party dresses. the sewing machine was always up for homemade items curtains and such and even made "homemade paper towel with three layers flannel scraps and repairs. last year I had a stroke and broken hip and while in the hospital my family put my home up for sale and moved what they thought I needed into a senior center for 55 and older. Many of the old methods are not viable here..no garden, limited space and far to many that have more money that needed. The waste is appalling. I still grow tomatoes on my little deck, herbs in pots, and can from a local farmer a half hour away. I have my canner, dehydretor sewing machine etc. My neighbors think I am nuts!!! This lifetime of being frugal allows my husband and i to live in a four room apt at $2000 a month without fear of having no place to live. I right this as encouragement to your younger readers to be frugal now. The future is not guaranteed . God bless you for encouraging a simple lifestyle...Blessings to you and your family
      ★★★★★
      Reply
  3. Where did you get your beans? I've been looking around and to get 20-40 beans, the price is between $40-$50, which seems high to me. Is that about right? Thanks!
    Reply
    1. I ordered mine from Amazon last year and they were $25.95 for a 4 oz bag which gave me 44 beans. The same bag is $39.95 right now, but I would keep checking it because they change there prices all the time. Here's the link to the ones that I ordered: https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Gourmet-Bourbon-Approximatelly-Centimeters/dp/B005YJ41UM/
      Reply
  4. I have been making mine for a couple of years. My husband got my beans from ebay, I don't remember how much they cost, but it was a great price. Next time I want to try making it with bourbon,rum or brandy for a twist.
    Reply
      1. I'm new baking. Is vanilla extract this way alcoholic? Or does the alcohol 'burn off' as it does while cooking?
        Reply
  6. You don't need to use that many vanilla beans to make extract. I pour 2-3 shots out of the bottle and add the split beans to it. I also donot strain the beans out, just leave them in and pour straight from the bottle.
    Reply
    1. I think the bottles were $17.99 and the vanilla beans were around $25. I don't know how much the vodka cost. I'm still using vanilla from this batch that I made 2 years ago.
      Reply
  8. My Grade B vanilla beans say not to split them. Your thoughts? They say to chop the beans in 1/4 inch pieces.
    Reply

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