Today I am dedicating an entire blog post to something I’ve talked about here and there (within a post, on Facebook, in my first cookbook, etc.) to make sure it does not get missed … because it’s an important one! If you’d like to gift adorable little Homemade Vanilla Extract bottles this holiday season, which is a lovely and unique gift if I do say so myself, now is the time to begin the super-easy infusion process so it will be ready by December.
Homemade Vanilla Extract can be used just like regular store-bought extract (which sadly often contains unnecessary additives). I give them out every year to friends, neighbors, party hostesses, and even the mail carrier. Because, how cute are these? And come Christmas time who needs another cookie!? Just sayin’ :)
How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract
- So, this next pic may look like I’m about to have a raging party, but this is how homemade vanilla extract begins … with lots of vodka! I usually buy a mid-grade brand like Smirnoff. Not too cheap and not too pricey.
Buy some vodka - Next, you simply slit two fresh vanilla beans all the way down the center (longways) and drop them in a 375ml bottle. Either a sharp knife or culinary shears will do the trick. You can also put four beans in a 750ml bottle. To save money order the beans online instead of buying them from the supermarket. Amazon is cheaper for large quantities, but note quality can vary by source. We’ve had consistently good results from J. Crow’s Marketplace.
You can slit just one side of the bean or cut all the way through - Let sit and after a week or two the liquid will start to “infuse” and turn a pretty golden brown color like this picture below.
- You can then transfer the extract to decorative glass bottles (from the craft store or online), add a label, tie on a pretty bow, and voila … you’ll have yourself cute and useful gifts to hand out this year.
How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract (a great gift!)
If you'd like to gift adorable little Homemade Vanilla Extract bottles this holiday season, now is the time to start so it will be ready by December.
Ingredients
- 2 vanilla beans, fresh
- 1 375-ml bottle vodka, I buy a mid-grade brand like Smirnoff
Instructions
- Slit each vanilla bean down the center longways. Slide all four pieces into the vodka bottle.
- Let sit for a minimum of a couple weeks so it can start to infuse.
- If desired, transfer to decorative glass food-safe bottles to give as gifts.
Recipe Notes
*Gluten-free if gluten-free vodka is used
Nutrition Facts
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I just read a blogger who poster her vanilla extract recipe. She calls for 20 vanilla beans to each quart of vodka!!! My first thought was maybe she has her shares in a vanilla bean company LOL, I just made a new batch and put it in the back of the pantry this time I used spiced rum instead of a blank canvas spirit like vodka or pure grain alcohol it’s hard to know that you have to wait a year and a half to see if it was a mistake! I know a lot of people only do 3 months don’t know about 6 or so oh, but I can sell a pint of 18 months vanilla extract four or five times the amount I can sell a 3-month extract. With this vanilla if the recipe calls for 2 tablespoons you only use about one and a half teaspoons! If 2 tbsp is 6tsp it makes mine about 5 times stronger. 2tbsp = 1tsp and a pinch more. I started making vanilla about 20 years ago when my daughter started dating her husband and I’m not spent one penny of the money. I’ve saved it for my grandchildren college education. I have two grandchildren and I’m going to be able to spend both of them through undergraduate and graduate school debt free! Just by working an hour or two to make some vanilla and let it do the work for a year or two! I am so glad a wise woman told me to do this many years ago. Maybe someone will read this and be inspired and do the same thing!