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Homemade Vanilla Extract

September 26, 2016 by Missy Rakes 18 Comments

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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!

 

homemade-vanilla-extract-2

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 mins
Total Time10 mins
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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Filed Under: Cooking Tips & Tricks, Easy Recipes, natural living, Natural Remedies & Recipes, Preserving Food, Recipes

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  1. Judi mclachlan says

    September 26, 2016 at 7:00 am

    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
    • Missy Rakes says

      September 26, 2016 at 8:22 am

      Thanks so much and enjoy the Vanilla Judi!
      Reply
  2. Lydia @ Thrifty Frugal Mom says

    September 27, 2016 at 3:33 pm

    This is so easy that I really do need to try it! I keep thinking I will but somehow never get around to actually doing it.
    Reply
    • Missy Rakes says

      September 28, 2016 at 2:33 pm

      I put it off for a long time too!
      Reply
  3. Jennifer says

    September 28, 2016 at 1:51 pm

    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
    • Missy Rakes says

      September 28, 2016 at 2:32 pm

      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
      • Jennifer Johnson says

        October 1, 2016 at 3:06 pm

        Thanks so much! I'll be sure to check it out.
        Reply
  4. Terri says

    December 1, 2016 at 4:21 pm

    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
    • Missy Rakes says

      December 2, 2016 at 9:36 am

      I've thought about trying a different alcohol as well!
      Reply
      • Michelle says

        December 9, 2016 at 4:11 pm

        I'm new baking. Is vanilla extract this way alcoholic? Or does the alcohol 'burn off' as it does while cooking?
        Reply
        • Missy Rakes says

          December 9, 2016 at 10:42 pm

          All vanilla is made from alcohol even the store bought kind. It will burn off while cooking.
          Reply
      • Stella says

        May 5, 2020 at 12:36 pm

        How long does the extract last?
        Reply
        • Missy Rakes says

          May 6, 2020 at 9:11 am

          Indefinitely.
          Reply
  5. Tania Nogle says

    December 26, 2016 at 2:19 pm

    After you put it in jars, how long is the shelf life on it?
    Reply
    • Missy Rakes says

      December 26, 2016 at 11:41 pm

      I believe it is pretty much indefinite, same as alcohol.
      Reply
  6. Mrs B says

    February 15, 2017 at 3:43 pm

    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
  7. Lisa says

    June 10, 2018 at 11:48 am

    WHAT was the cost of your vanilla extract after all was done?
    Reply
    • Missy Rakes says

      June 13, 2018 at 8:06 am

      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

Welcome, I'm Missy and I'd love to help you cook from scratch, save money and live a more simple and abundant life. Click the buttons below to follow along on social media and get to know me better. Have a lovely day!

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