#MAKE HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT HOW TO#

Vanilla extract made at home is far superior to almost anything you can buy at the store. Easily made with just two ingredients, it is worth making at home. You can add more alcohol from time to time as you use the vanilla, so that you can keep making more with the same beans.Homemade Vanilla Extract is hands down way better quality and far more cost-efficient than anything you can buy at the store.

Use as you would store-bought vanilla, making sure to shake the bottle before each use.

Your homemade vanilla should be ready to use in 3-6 months, and the flavor will continue to intensify as it sits.

Now just wait! Shake the bottle periodically to help release the flavors.

Store bottle(s) in a cool place out of the sun.

Fill the bottle with your vodka or bourbon and seal the top.

You can also use two 4-ounce bottles to give as gifts, or make a double batch in a 16-ounce bottle.

Add beans to an 8-oz swing-top glass bottle.

I also cut the bean pods in half across so that they stay fully submerged in the bottle.

Slit vanilla bean pods lengthwise down the middle to expose beans inside.

If you can find 100-proof vodka that works best, and bourbon adds great flavor! Be sure to check labels if you're looking to make your vanilla extract gluten-free.

Gather your vodka (or bourbon) and vanilla bean pods.

How do you make vanilla extract from scratch? You can also divide your vanilla into two 4-ounce bottles for gift giving, or make a double batch in one 16-ounce bottle. They look great, seal tightly, and work great when using your vanilla in baking.

glass bottles or jars - to store your vanilla, I'd recommend one of these 8-ounce swing-top bottles.

It adds a bit of a flavor boost to the finished product that really shines through in everything you bake.

#MAKE HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT HOW TO#

And if you can get your hands on 100-proof vodka, that will work even better! But my favorite method for how to make vanilla extract is to use bourbon. Vodka is a great option, since it has a neutral flavor and is easy to find.

vodka or bourbon - some recipes detailing how to make vanilla extract call for vodka as the alcohol that literally extracts the vanilla flavor from the pods.But they're perfect for making homemade vanilla extract, since we'll be drawing the vanilla flavor out over time! Grade B beans have less moisture and are sometimes brittle, so they're not great to cook with. You'll see Grade A as well, but Grade A vanilla is more for baking with the bean pod, like if you were scraping out the beans to add directly to a recipe. vanilla beans - you'll need Grade B vanilla bean pods, which are also known as 'extract beans'.Once you've mastered how to make vanilla extract, I'd recommend starting the process in the spring so that you have lots of delicious vanilla ready to go in the fall baking season AND for holiday gift giving! What You'll Needīefore we learn how to make vanilla extract, we need to know what we'll need! And it only takes two ingredients! That said, this is definitely a recipe you want to start well in advance, since it can take months for the flavor to fully develop.

And while it does take some time for the flavor to develop, the longer it sits, the more vanilla flavor you'll get! But in reality, it's quite the opposite! Homemade vanilla extract is quick, simple, and can save you lots of money! But my main reason for making my own vanilla is the taste! Store-bought vanilla can't compare to the deep, rich vanilla flavor that this homemade vanilla extract recipe will give you. When you think of how to make vanilla extract yourself, you might think it's too time consuming, expensive, and complicated. In short, if you love to bake, you should definitely be making your own vanilla extract! Homemade vanilla extract really is a game changer for baked goods and other sweets, and it will make all the difference in your dishes and bakes. This post is a long time coming! I'm so glad to share it with you, because for me, one of the most important kitchen secrets is how to make vanilla extract yourself at home.

Make homemade vanilla extract