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Learning how to make vanilla extract is the easiest thing ever. It requires only 2 ingredients andmakes all of your baked goods taste and smell incredible. Homemade vanilla extract will be your secret ingredientfor baking!Once you make your own homemade vanilla extract,there’s just no going back to the store-bought version. As a bonus,you can refill real vanilla extract with more vodka as it runs out so it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
These make for darling and thoughtful DIY Christmas gifts (see tutorial below). My cousin’s wife, Alla, shared this awesome idea with me for gifting homemade vanilla extract and now all my sisters and friends know exactly what they’re getting for Christmas! lol.
I included links to all of the tools and resources that I used to make these from the sweet little glass bottles on Amazon to the free labels I designed which you can print at home. There’s also a full visual tutorial on wrapping these in kitchen towels. I really enjoyed making these and I will enjoy giving them away even more!
Vanilla Extract Ingredients (makes 10 (4oz) jars):
20 vanilla beans
40 oz plain vodka* (80 proof works great)
It’s easy to scale this recipe up or down, the proportions are 4 whole vanilla beans per 1 cup (8 oz) vodka, or 2 vanilla beans per 1/2 cup (4 oz) vodka.
*It’s not necessary to get themost expensive brand of vodka; something middle of the road like Smirnoff triple distilled 80 proof will work just fine. I found this at the liquor store and paid $25 for a giant jug. I’ll be refilling my vanilla a long time :).My cousin used the Vodka sold at Costco (Washington Costco’scarry liquor, but Idaho’s don’t).
Tools you’ll need for Homemade Vanilla Extract:
Small funnel or measuring cup with pouring lip
10 (4oz) clear bottles with lids (avoid cork lids – alcohol evaporates through the cork)
Labels (click here to save and print the labels I designed FREE!)
Kitchen scissors or sharp knife
How to Make Vanilla Extract:
1. Wash and sanitize bottles and lids. I washedwith mild soapy water, rinsed then swirled with boiling hot water to sanitize them.
2. Cut beans in half then Split beans. I found this is easiest with kitchen scissors. Cutting them about halfway down the stem. If the beans are too dry to split, cut them into 1″ pieces. Place a total of 2 whole beans in each jar (or 4 split halves).
3. Use a funnel or measuring cup to pour vodka to the top of the jar. Cover tightly with lid and let them brew for 2 months, shaking occasionally.
Apply the FREE vanilla extract labels by printing them on label paper or by gluing them onto the bottles. If printing on the labels, make sure your printer is set to 100% and not “fit to page” which make shrink or stretch labels.
You should give the vanilla a little shake every now and then for the next couple of months as it sits. It will turn a beautiful amber color when it’s ready to use. The instructions are right on the label so you don’t have to wait that long to gift them ;).
For Creative Gifting:
12 yards of yarnorkitchen string
12 kitchen towels for gifting, preferably tea towel style
12 small/medium cookie cutters
How to Wrap a Gift With a Kitchen Towel:
Fold a kitchen towel in half lengthwise and then in half again lengthwise. Place vanilla in the upper left corner, fold over the bottom flap, roll into a log and tie the top with a string or ribbon directly over the next of where the bottle is sitting inside the towel.
How to Store Vanilla Extract
Keep your homemade vanilla extract in a cool dry place. Heat and light can cause it to turn cloudy.
If it does turn cloudy, murky, or muddy-looking, do the smell test and if it still smells good, it should be fine to use. Using 80 proof vodka, it is highly unlikely there is bacterial growth.
Sometimes the type of beans you get can leach pulp into the alcohol and you can strain out sediment if desired.
Vanilla Extract Recipe
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
How to make Homemade Vanilla Extract - it's so easy and only requires 2 ingredients! This will become your secret ingredient for baking.
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Prep Time: 30 minutes mins
Total Time: 30 minutes mins
Ingredients
Servings: 12 (4oz) jars
Vanilla Extract Ingredients (makes 12 (4oz) jars):
- 20 vanilla beans, I used Grade B Bourbon
- 40 oz plain vodka*, 80 proof works great
Tools you'll need for Homemade Vanilla Extract:
Instructions
Wash and sanitize bottles and lids: Wash with mild soapy water, rinse, then carefully swirl with boiling hot water to sanitize them.
Cut beans in half then Split beans (it's easiest with kitchen scissors), cutting them about halfway down the stem. If the beans are too dry to split, cut them into small 1" pieces so they don't stick up above the surface of the extract as you use it. Place a total of 2 whole beans in each jar (or 4 split halves).
Use a funnel to pour vodka to the top of jar. Cover tightly with lid and let them brew for 2 months, shaking occasionally.
Notes
It's easy to scale this recipe up or down, the proportions are 4 whole vanilla beans per 1 cup (8 oz) vodka, or 2 vanilla beans per 1/2 cup (4 oz) vodka.
- Full Nutrition Label
- Nutrition Disclosure
Course: Condiments, Sauce
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Vanilla Extract
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$$
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Natasha Kravchuk
Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.
Read more posts by Natasha
FAQs
Just remember this ratio: 6 vanilla beans per 8 ounces of alcohol. So if your jar is 12 ounces, use 9 vanilla beans. If it's 16 ounces, use 12 beans. Pour your alcohol of choice on top.
How to make high quality vanilla extract? ›
You only need 2 ingredients for homemade vanilla extract: vanilla beans and vodka. Let the vanilla beans infuse the vodka for as little as 8 weeks, but for optimal flavor, wait at least 6-12 months before using. Homemade vanilla is more cost efficient than store-bought options. You can try homemade vanilla sugar too.
How many vanilla beans for 8 oz of vodka? ›
For best flavor you'll want 4-5 vanilla beans for every 8 ounces (1 cup) of vodka. The quality of the vanilla beans is more important than the quality of the alcohol, so you don't need to buy an expensive bottle. Alcohol: 80 proof Vodka, (or brandy, rum, or bourbon, if preferred, for different flavor).
What is the best alcohol for making vanilla extract? ›
Choosing an Alcohol
- Vodka will give you the smoothest, purest, most unadulterated and well-balanced vanilla flavor and is my preference.
- Grain alcohol has more of a bite to it and typically pulls the flavor from the beans faster than vodka. ...
- Bourbon will yield a smooth, warm extract with caramel undertones.
By FDA standards, pure vanilla extract contains a minimum of 35 percent alcohol, the same proof as Captain Morgan rum. You can't buy it in liquor stores, but it's sold in grocery stores and for many, it is a household staple.
How many vanilla beans does it take to make a gallon of vanilla extract? ›
FDA standards call for at least 13.35 ounces of vanilla beans per gallon of liquid. This equates to approximately . 9 oz of beans per 8 ounces of alcohol! Many people really like to use rum, bourbon, or brandy.
Is homemade vanilla worth it? ›
In my testing, I found that the homemade vanilla extract imparted a markedly different flavor than the bottled stuff—great in some applications, less so in others.
What gives the best vanilla flavor? ›
Tahitian vanilla beans are the most expensive type of vanilla bean, but don't let that deter you. These vanilla beans have a superb flavor and aroma.
Why is too much vanilla extract bad? ›
The alcohol level of flavoring extracts like vanilla is enough to lead to central nervous system depression, just like if you were drinking hard alcohol. This means: You may start to feel your breathing slow down and grow more shallow. You'll also experience symptoms like dilated pupils and a warming sensation.
How many times can you reuse vanilla beans to make extract? ›
You can use vanilla beans for extract more than once, which makes them a gift that keeps on giving. Just know that the flavor will get weaker over time. Many recommend using them no more than four times.
Indonesian Vanilla – The beans from Indonesia are mass-produced and usually a grade B bean. For making homemade vanilla extract, this is the type that is recommended. They may be a bit more brittle and dried out which makes them perfect for the long soaking in vodka or bourbon.
How long does homemade vanilla extract last? ›
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.
Can you use cheap vodka to make vanilla extract? ›
Feel free to use the cheapest vodka you can find—all the flavor comes from the vanilla, anyway. You can substitute bourbon, rum, or brandy, but I find flavorless vodka offers the most straightforward, versatile vanilla flavor.
What alcohol is used in Mexican vanilla? ›
To make your own Mexican vanilla extract, you'll need:
12 ounces of vodka (at least 35% alcohol content) A clean, airtight glass bottle for storage.
What type of bourbon is best for vanilla extract? ›
Woodford Reserve Rye - Woodford has been our favorite bourbon for extract making for years, so it stands to reason that Woodford Rye would also be at the top of our whiskey list, and it is. This is a beautiful, spicy whiskey with hints of tobacco, fruit and sweet aromatics that make it a beautiful vanilla extract.
What is the ratio of vanillin to vanilla extract? ›
Vanilla extract contains about 1–2% of vanillin along some 60–100 other flavor chemicals. In contrast to vanilla extract, vanillin is a single chemical compound which can be synthesized either chemically or biologically. Synthetic vanillin is most widely used due to its low cost.
How much does 1 vanilla bean equal to vanilla extract? ›
As far as substitutions go, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract is equal to one 2-inch piece of vanilla bean, so 1 typical vanilla bean will equal 3 teaspoons extract. As for vanilla paste, there are usually directions on each jar indicating proper equivalencies, so consult that first as the concentrations can differ.
Is it cheaper to make your own vanilla extract? ›
A bit of simple math reveals that homemade vanilla extract is the more economical choice. Say you buy two 4-ounce bottles of the good vanilla extract from the grocery store every year. If each jar costs $18, that's $180 over a five-year span.
What percentage is pure vanilla extract? ›
In the United States, in order for a vanilla extract to be called pure, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that the solution contain a minimum of 35% alcohol and 100g of vanilla beans per litre (13.35 ounces per gallon).
