Homemade Vanilla Extract – Learning how to make vanilla extract is the easiest thing ever. It requires only 3 ingredients and makes all of your baked goods taste and smell incredible. Fresh vanilla extract will be your secret ingredient for baking! Once you make your own vanilla extract, there’s just no going back to the store-bought version.
Homemade Vanilla Extract is one of those things that seems mysterious and magical, but is actually ridiculously simple to make at home. Order a pound of Grade B vanilla beans from an online seller and half your work is done. Split the beans, plunge them into booze and time does the rest.
Makes a great Holiday gift. When stored properly, vanilla extract will keep indefinitely, but using it within five years will allow for best flavor and aroma. Do not refrigerate or freeze, even after opening. What is the shelf life of my vanilla beans? When stored properly, two years.
Homemade vanilla is more cost efficient than store-bought options. … Vanilla extract is an ingredient in many of our baked goods. This common addition actually carries big weight– 1 teaspoon completely transforms a good dessert into a great dessert.
Vanilla extract is a solution made by macerating and percolating vanilla pods in a solution of ethanol and water. It is considered an essential ingredient in many Western desserts, especially baked goods like cakes, cookies, brownies, and cupcakes, as well as custards, ice creams, and puddings. Wikipedia
Not what you are looking for? Try these other great sweet recipes: Mexican Churros, Macerated Strawberries, Low Fat Vanilla Ice Cream or the classic Disney Dole Whip.
PrintHomemade Vanilla Extract
Homemade Vanilla extract makes a great Holiday gift.
- Prep Time: :10
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 750ml 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Steeping
Ingredients
- 1 (750 ml) bottle vodka
- 1 cup dark rum
- 10 vanilla beans
Instructions
- Open vodka bottle and remove approximately 1 1⁄2 cup of liquid from the bottle and reserve it. Split all the vanilla beans and scrape the vanilla seeds from the beans.
- Using a narrow funnel, push all the vanilla seeds into the bottle of vodka. Cap and shake to distribute. Remove the cap and put the scraped beans into the bottle. Top off the bottle with rum and cap once more.
- Stash the bottle in a cool, dark place and let it infuse and mellow for 4 to 6 months. You know it’s done when the vodka is dark, nearly syrupy and fragrant with the scent of vanilla.
- To give as gifts, divide the extract between smaller jars or bottles (making sure to include at least one or two beans with every portion) and distribute. If it hasn’t rested long enough for full infusion yet, attach a note with the date when it will be ready.