Homemade Vanilla Extract

Homemade Vanilla Extract will have the same great, if not better flavor, and you can make it for less than half of the $5 an ounce price at the grocery store! While it comes together in five minutes, it takes a minimum of two months for the flavor to develop so you can start now and have it ready for baking and gifting in December.

To make homemade vanilla extract you’ll need two ingredients, vanilla beans and vodka. You'll also want a bottle that has a leak proof, airtight seal, like these bottles that have swing bottle stopper.

Vanilla beans are graded “A” and “B”. Grade A beans are best for baking and have a higher moisture content, while grade B beans are more concentrated and better suited for extract. To make my extract, I used  Grade B Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans.

To make your extract you’ll want to use 5 – 6 beans per 8 oz. of vodka.

My package had 10 beans so I used 5 beans per 8 oz. jar. You don’t need top shelf vodka to make vanilla, use a mid-range brand that you would drink that’s 70 to 90 proof. Split your beans with a knife or cut with kitchen shears so the vanilla caviar / seeds are exposed.

 I like the look of the beans whole, but you can cut your beans into smaller pieces to help them release more seeds and steep and more quickly if you prefer. Make sure to add any seeds / caviar stuck to knife or scissors to your jars, that’s the good part!

Place your beans in your jars and add the vodka to cover completely,

cutting beans as necessary so they’re completely submerged. When your beans are completely covered, close your jars and give them a shake. Store your vanilla at room temperature and out of direct sunlight. Shake a couple of times a week initially or once a day if you can remember, as the seeds will settle to the bottom.

The longer the vanilla steeps, the better the flavor!

This is the gift that keeps on giving, here’s a fun tip:

As you use your vanilla, top off your bottle with more vodka and give it a shake. Unused aged vanilla extract (with the beans fully submerged) will last several years.

Once you begin using the vanilla and adding more alcohol after each use, the beans will eventually need to be replaced.

Remove the old beans, add fresh ones, shake, and continue to use/refill. Aged extract, without beans, will last indefinitely. Vanilla extract is most commonly made with vodka, but you can also use bourbon, rum or brandy.

This is how the vanilla looks after 6 months of steeping,

with the color and flavor deepening and intensifying. The fun part is decorating your bottles for holiday gifting. I found tags on Amazon, and I picked some ribbon at Hobby Lobby, along with a miniature Christmas tree topper.

Find 20+ recipes to bake your spirits bright and make your holidays extra sweet, HERE! Additionally you’ll find some easy no-bake treats and food gift ideas too.