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Homemade vanilla extract is one of the easiest and most rewarding DIY ingredients you can add to your kitchen. With just a couple of high-quality ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a rich, aromatic extract that far surpasses anything you’ll find on a grocery store shelf.
Whether you bake often or simply want to elevate the flavor of your favorite recipes, this homemade version delivers unmatched depth, purity, and fragrance—and it only gets better as it ages.
Why Make Vanilla Extract at Home?
- Stronger flavor: Store-bought varieties often contain additives or diluted flavor. Homemade extract is full-bodied and naturally robust.
- Cost-effective: A single batch yields premium-quality extract at a fraction of commercial prices.
- Fully customizable: Choose the type of vanilla bean and alcohol base to match the flavor profile you prefer.
- Ideal for gifting: Bottled in swing-top glass jars, homemade vanilla extract makes a thoughtful and impressive gift for any occasion.
Ingredients
Vanilla Beans
6–8 whole organic vanilla beans. Madagascar, Tahitian, or Mexican beans all work well and offer slightly different flavor characteristics.
Alcohol
1 cup (8 oz) vodka. You may also use bourbon or dark rum for a warmer, more complex flavor.
Bottle
An 8.5 oz swing-top glass bottle. Amber bottles provide better protection from light, but clear bottles work if stored properly.
How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract
1. Prepare the Vanilla Beans
Using a sharp knife, slice each vanilla bean lengthwise. Do not remove the seeds; they provide significant flavor and create the signature speckled appearance in the finished extract.
2. Place the Beans in the Bottle
Add the sliced beans directly into your clean bottle.
3. Add the Alcohol
Pour in the vodka (or chosen alcohol) until the beans are completely submerged. If any part of a bean is exposed, add a bit more alcohol.
4. Seal and Shake
Secure the lid tightly and shake the bottle to begin the infusion process.
5. Store in a Dark, Cool Space
Place the bottle in a cupboard or pantry. Shake it once a week if possible, though this step is optional.
6. Allow Time to Develop Flavor
For a basic extract, steep for at least 8 weeks.
For the richest, most well-rounded flavor, steep for 3 to 6 months.
The extract will continue improving as it sits.
Tips for Best Results
- If beans begin to rise above the liquid level, top off the bottle with additional alcohol.
- You can leave the beans in the bottle indefinitely, or remove them once the extract reaches your preferred strength.
- When your bottle becomes half empty, you can refill it with more alcohol to continue the extraction process.
- For gifting, small glass bottles with a fresh vanilla bean inside make an elegant presentation.
Homemade Vanilla Extract
Ingredients
- 6 –8 whole organic vanilla beans Madagascar, Tahitian, or Mexican
- 1 cup vodka 8 oz
- Optional: Use bourbon or dark rum for a deeper flavor
- 1 swing-top glass bottle 8.5 oz, amber or clear
Instructions
- Split each bean lengthwise with a sharp knife. Leave the seeds inside for maximum flavor.
- Place the sliced beans into the clean swing-top bottle.
- Add the vodka (or chosen alcohol) until the beans are fully submerged.
- Close the bottle tightly and shake to begin the infusion.
- Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place such as a pantry or cupboard. Shake once a week if you can.
- Allow the mixture to infuse for at least 8 weeks. For the fullest flavor, steep for 3–6 months. The extract will continue to mature over time.
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