Homemade Vanilla Extract
I understand that buying commercially prepared pure vanilla extract is convenient, but having a homemade vanilla extract will save you from several trips to the store and constantly including it in your grocery list and budget. After all, making your own vanilla extract isn't complicated! My homemade vanilla extract recipe only requires two ingredients and basic materials.
Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 613kcal
Equipment
- Knife
- 10 oz tall bottle with a lid
Ingredients
- 5-6 vanilla bean pods
- 1 cup liquor (vodka, brandy, bourbon, or rum)
Instructions
- Remove any dust or debris on your vanilla pods and gently rinse them with running water.
- Allow your rinsed vanilla bean pods to air dry. You can place them on top of a paper towel to help them dry quickly.
- Slowly slice through the center of the vanilla pods to expose the vanilla beans.
- Place your sliced vanilla inside your clean bottle.
- Slowly pour the alcohol into the bottle to completely submerge your sliced vanilla.
- Replace your bottle's lid to seal it tightly.
- Gently shake your sealed bottle.
- Store your bottle at room temperature, away from sunlight and your kitchen light, and free from moisture.
- Leave the vanilla soaking for eight weeks, but make sure you gently shake the bottle every week.
- After eight weeks, you can remove the soaked vanilla from the bottle. You now have your own vanilla extract that you can use anytime. However, you can leave them soaking for six to eight months to infuse more vanilla flavors.
Notes
- What I love most about this homemade vanilla extract is its long shelf life, ranging from five to 10 years. Just always store it properly and seal the jar or bottle tightly after every use.
- Giving your bottle of vanilla extract a gentle shake before use is also advisable to evenly distribute the flavors throughout the liquid.
Nutrition
Calories: 613kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Fat: 4g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 5mg | Iron: 0.1mg