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Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe
For me, knowing exactly what is in the products I use while baking for my family is very important. Maybe it’s important to you too? Well then, homemade vanilla extract is the perfect place to start!
Whether we are making pancakes, cookies, or marshmallows, this vanilla extract gives any dessert or sweet dish the perfect flavor boost!
Not only it is a simple process, it makes a wonderful gift for anyone who likes to bake. Just in case you want to gift this vanilla extract to someone special this year, I’m including this printable tag for your use!
How to Make Different Types of Vanilla
You can make this vanilla extract recipe with any vanilla beans you can find: Mexican, Madagascar, Tahitian, and so on…
However, I’ve found that my favorite vanilla extract flavor profile comes from the Mexican Vanilla Beans! It has a rich, smooth flavor that makes any sweet dish just a little bit better than before!
Where to Find Food Safe Bottles for Homemade Extract
You can find glass bottles just about anywhere these days. However, there are a few things you need to look for before using a bottle for extract. First, make sure that they have a good closure (cork is fine, but swing top is better).
You also need to make sure that the bottles are FOOD GRADE. If they are for decorative purposes only, they may be treated with lead, and you definitely don’t want that in your vanilla extract!
These bottles are Made in Italy and are completely food grade. And you can buy them in bulk if you are going to be making extract as gifts.
How Long to Age Homemade Vanilla Extract
This extract needs at least 3 months to age before use. 6 months is better. So if you’re going to be giving this away at Christmas, start early.
I like to have a few bottles aging in the pantry, because we go through this stuff so fast! Seriously though, if the recipe has sugar in it, it’s also getting a splash of vanilla extract.
It really does help bring out the flavor in any sweet dish.
Where to Buy Mexican Vanilla Beans
There are several places online that you can buy beans, but I get them here.
5 beans comes in this pack, and I use about 2-3 in each large bottle, so be sure to get enough beans for the number of bottles you’re making!
Homemade Vanilla Extract
Ingredients
- Glass bottle with seal cork seal is fine
- Vodka get the best vodka you can afford, but don't go crazy
- vanilla beans
- Funnel
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash bottles.
- Gently score each bean lengthwise. Be careful not to cut in half. Add 3 beans per bottle.
- Pour vodka over beans, leaving at least an inch of air at the top.
Once a week:
Tip bottle back and forth a few times to aerate beans.
Notes
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I’m 71 years old, I never really baked that much but did add vanilla the times a recipe called for it but never tasted it until recently. I had no idea vanilla wasn’t sweet and had no idea it was made with booze. Surprised me for sure. So I’m wondering now if I’m making a quart and use that to make 4-8 oz bottles, do I take the beans out before giving it as a gift? if so do I keep using the same beans to make more?
Thank you!
Hi Barbara! I would leave the beans in, then your gift recipients can refill the bottle and make more!