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A bottle of homemade vanilla extract laying on burlap with vanilla bean pods next to it.
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5 from 12 votes

Homemade Vanilla Extract

How to make homemade vanilla extract with two simple ingredients to enhance your favorite recipes and baked goods.
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Resting Time42 days
Total Time2 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 500 ml
Calories: 12kcal
Author: Rachel
Cost: $30

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 500 ml Vodka 500ml is just over 2 cups of vodka, see notes for brands
  • 1.6 ounces Vanilla Pods about 4-5 larger beans per cup of vodka

Instructions

  • Thoroughly wash and dry the bottles and lids you will be using.
  • Using a knife, split the beans lengthwise down the center. You can either just open them or split the whole bean in half. Using your thumbs, pull apart the opening to expose the bean paste but do not remove. Cut the beans to fit inside the bottle. It does not matter if you dice the beans or make them larger pieces. Smaller pieces may result in more loose particles.
  • Add the pods to the bottle. I use 0.8 ounces (about 4-5 medium sized pods) per 1 cup (8 ounces) of vodka. Fill the bottle with the vodka so that the beans are submerged. Use a funnel for small mouth bottles.
  • Add a label with the date you made it. Store in a cool, dry, place and try to wait 12 weeks before using. Turn over the bottle or shake gently once a week. The longer you wait, even beyond 12 weeks, the darker and more robust the flavor will be.

Notes

Use an unflavored Vodka that is at least an 80-proof (40% alcohol by volume). Smirnoff and Stolichnaya are what I use. The higher the percentage of alcohol, the longer the shelf life and the better the flavor.
I purchase my vanilla bean pods from Beanilla. They have always had excellent quality and less expensive than the local markets.
You can keep the vanilla bean pods in the glass container as long as they remain fully submerged. If you use some extract, and the vanilla bean pods are sticking out of the alcohol, remove them so that they don’t get slimy and ruin your extract. I do recommend removing the pods before giving as gifts.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1teaspoon | Calories: 12kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg