Homemade Vanilla Extract

Homemade Vanilla Extract is delicious and super simple to make with only two ingredients and a little time and patience!

Vanilla extract is a staple in most households and we use it on a pretty regular basis. Vanilla has a magical ability to compliment almost everything from cookies, to muffins to smoothies. In baked goods, it is a necessary ingredient to bring sweetness and enhance other flavors.

Making Homemade Vanilla Extract is simple and fun. With just two ingredients and some patience and time, you can always have vanilla extract in your pantry. Makes a great gift, too!

About the Ingredients

Vanilla Beans

There are three main types of vanilla beans. Madagascar, Tahitian and Mexican vanilla beans. They each have a different flavor profile.

• Madagascar Vanilla Beans are the most common flavor used in vanilla extract.
• Tahitian Vanilla Beans have hints of cherry and anise flavors.
• Mexican Vanilla Beans have hints of clove and nutmeg flavors.

Vanilla beans can be purchased at the grocery store, warehouse stores or online (including Amazon).

Grades of Vanilla Beans

There are two grades of vanilla beans, grade A & grade B. Grade A beans have a higher moisture content and a more oily surface. It has the most concentrated taste out of the two different grades and is considered to be purer. These are typically used by professional chefs.

Grade B beans have less moisture than grade A beans, are typically less expensive, and are usually the ones used for extract making. With the lower levels of moisture,they usually have a more concentrated vanilla flavor.

Alcohol

Homemade vanilla extract is most commonly made with vodka, but you could also use white rum, bourbon or brandy. This will change the flavor profile. The alcohol you choose needs to be at least 70 proof.

Vodka is popular because it is tasteless and odorless. It remains in the background and allows the sweet, fragrant full flavor of the vanilla to center stage. Most store-bought vodka contains 40 percent alcohol, making it 80 proof so it is perfect for making Homemade Vanilla Extract.

How to make Homemade Vanilla Extract

You can make delicious Homemade Vanilla Extract by combining just two ingredients and adding a little time and patience. It’s actually ridiculously easy and if you have looked at the cost of good vanilla extract lately, it is definitely worth considering.

Making homemade allows you to feel less guilty abut using it in all the things. In addition you will never run out of vanilla extract, it never expires, and it makes a great gift!

Cut the vanilla beans in half lengthwise with scissors or a knife. For best results, you should use 4-6 Grade B Madagascar Vanilla Beans. The FDA says the weight of the vanilla beans should be 0.83 ounces for best results.

Place the beans into a jar with a tight fitting lid. Cover with one cup of vodka, rum, bourbon or brandy.

Place in a cool, dark place (like inside a cupboard). Let sit for a minimum of 6 weeks, up to 6 months. The longer the vanilla has to develop, the stronger the flavor will be. Try to remember to shake the jar once a week.

As the weeks go on, the liquid will darken and the flavors will develop.

The vanilla extract is ready when the vodka has transformed to a dark caramel color. The longer the Homemade Vanilla Extract is allowed to develop, the more intense the vanilla flavor will be.

This time period can range from 6 weeks to 6 months and is completely up to you.

When ready, strain the liquid through a wire mesh strainer and discard the vanilla beans.

Using a funnel, transfer the vanilla extract into the bottle that you are going to use. It is ready to use immediately.

Store in a sealed container in a dark place. Enjoy!

Sweet Recipes that use Homemade Vanilla Extract

Peanut Butter Scoop Cookies – Packed full of peanut butter flavor and Reese’s Pieces, they are crispy on the outside and perfectly crumbly and buttery in the middle.

Soft Baked Banana Bread Cookies – all the flavors of fresh baked banana bread in a delicious cookie form.

Fudgy Salted Cookie Bars – A soft and chewy one pan treat with a great balance of gooey chocolate and the perfect hint of flaky sea salt!

Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies – deliciously crispy edges and chocolate in every bite!

Apple Crumble Cookie Cups – Tender pieces of fresh apple wrapped in a buttery cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar sauce and baked in a bite sized oatmeal cookie cup.