Homemade Vanilla Extract
I feel so fancy! I made my own homemade vanilla extract and you will not believe how EASY it is to do.
Say goodbye to artificial vanilla extract with this simple DIY. All you’ll need is some vodka and vanilla beans. That’s it. Seriously.
At first, I thought I’d never be able to make my own extract. I couldn’t find vanilla beans anywhere. My small town grocery stores didn’t have it and I wasn’t about to drive to Ottawa to find it. Thankfully, Bulk Barn came to my rescue. They carry vanilla beans. I found them by the cash register. Just ask the cashier when you go if you need help locating them in the store.
All you do is split two vanilla beans in half and scrape out the seeds. That’s where all that yummy vanilla flavour hides. Add your seeds and pods to a cup of vodka and seal in a jar. Let the mixture sit for 6 weeks before you use it. Make sure to shake it up about once a week.
I started using mine over the holidays in all my Christmas baking. Use it the same way you would store-bought vanilla extract. Easy peasy.
You might also like this orange extract.
Have you ever made your own vanilla extract?
Homemade Vanilla Extract
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Ingredients
- 1 cup vodka
- 2 vanilla beans
Instructions
- Split the vanilla beans down the middle, lengthwise. Remove the seeds inside.
- Add vanilla bean pods and seeds to a jar with a lid. Pour vodka inside. Shake.
- Store for 6 weeks in your pantry. Shake it about once a week.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Would love the the vanilla extract rec.
There is this amazing spice shop where you can buy vanilla beans online. It’s Savory Spice Shop. I’m not sure if they’re national or not. They’re here in NJ where I live. Because they are an hour from my house I buy their stuff online.
Until I read this post I had NO IDEA that you could make homemade vanilla extract. I wonder if there is an alcohol free version.
I’m curious… Have you only tried it with regular vodka? Have you ever tried the Vanilla Vodka? I use vanilla vodka in my homemade kahlua and it’s so much better! What about Bourbon? Some vanillas are made with bourbon, right? I wonder how that will be! Now I just need to find the best place to buy vanilla beans! 🙂 Thank you!
Ohh great idea with the vanilla vodka! I’ve heard of people using bourbon in vanilla extracts too.
Have been make my own vanilla for over 30 years. But I use brandy. Just open bottle pour out small amount and then add bean pods opened. So much cheaper and just as good if not better.
I have instructions to put in a dark place for 6 weeks. You can also add more vodka as you use it. Have not tried yet.Got the beans at Costco
Oh my, I never thought it would be this easy to make vanilla extract! I’ve always looked for a homemade alternative but I could never find one that I liked. Now I did! Thank you so much!
I’ll have to go look at Bulk Barn for vanilla pods. I would love to have some so I can try this.
found the vanilla beans at Costco last month (next to the spices, salt) much less expensive than at any regular grocery store I had checked.
I’m going to try to make it directly in the vodka bottle. save myself some trouble 🙂
stacie i want to try this because its so easy and its staple that we all need to know how to make.
This is so easy to make and it’s a necessity for any serious baker. You just can’t compare this to the artificial extract.
Never knew you could make vanilla extract that easy at home. Thanks. I love the smell of vanila!
I bought all of my bottles and booze to make this to give as gifts for Christmas, all I need now is the vanilla beans, but I’m trying to find where I can buy a lot for a good price!!
Maybe try amazon for a decent deal on vanilla beans?
I’d definitely like to try something like this. Awesome gift to a baker.
There is such a big difference between imitation vanilla and pure vanilla extract! Love making it this way too.
This will be a must to make when I’ve finished the bottle of extract that I’m now using. I did use to make vanilla sugar which is used a lot in German baking, that’s simple too.
Sounds simple enough; will definitely try this!
I should really try this out, real vanilla in the grocery store is getting so expensive.
One thing I won’t skimp on when baking is vanilla. I refuse to use imitation vanilla and only buy pure vanilla extract. It can get expensive, though (even though most recipes only call for one or two teaspoons, and a bottle can last a while). Still, I’ve been curious about making my own and am surprised just how simple it is! I’m definitely going to have to give this a try. I’m going to IKEA later this week and will pick up some jars or bottles just for this. This would make a great gift for someone who is into baking.
I have wanted to try this, thanks for sharing how easy?
that’s it?? Even I can do this !