Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe - On The Go Bites (2024)

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Homemade vanilla extract recipe is a baker’s secret ingredient. Far superior to grocery store vanilla, even the pure vanilla from great companies like Nielsen Massey.

Unless you are ready to part with a considerable amount of money, making your own homemade vanilla extract takes 2 ingredients and 10 minutes time and you’re done. It’s not cheap to make but gives a richness to baked ingredients that’s hard to come by.

How To Make Homemade Vanilla Extract

Two ingredients, that’s all. Vanilla beans and vodka.

The key to vanilla extract is using the best quality vanilla bean you can buy. But believe it or not, the quality of the vodka doesn’t matter a bit, it’s all in the beans.

I can see you vodka drinkers out there, you would never think of buying the stuff in plastic bottles. But for extract it’s the alcohol content and proof that matters. As long as the alcohol is 35-40% or 70-80 proof, that’s all that matters………for vanilla extract that is (most vodka will fall in this range). I’m aware that sipping on a martini takes a better-quality vodka, but really, for vanilla extract don’t waste your money on the good stuff.

Cut the vanilla bean lengthwise in half. If you need to cut crosswise as well into smaller pieces to fit the jar, that is fine.

Slice the vanilla beans in half lengthwise. Feel free to cut the vanilla bean in shorter pieces if needed to fit your bottle. You just need to make sure that the beans are completely submerged. Gently slice the bean lengthwise, without cutting all the way through. Place in jar, cover with alcohol, shake, and wait, and wait, and wait. Your best flavor will begin to happen around 8 weeks…6 months is even better, but I never make it that long!

What Kind of Vanilla Bean to Use For Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe

The type of vanilla bean you use will determine some nuances to the flavor and aroma of your vanilla extract.

Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans, Grade B – these are the most common vanilla beans used and what will give you the cleanest traditional flavor that you are familiar with.

Tahitian Vanilla Beans – these beans will give you a floral almost chocolaty taste. It pairs well with bourbon instead of vodka. This type of vanilla extract is delicious but a little different taste than what most bakers are after because it’s not like traditional vanilla extract.

Mexican Vanilla Beans – these vanilla beans will give you a gentle, spicier kick in the vanilla extract recipe

What Exactly Is Vanilla Extract Anyway?

Vanilla beans are harvested from orchid plants. These orchids aren’t as pretty as the orchids all of us have on our desk or in our home. Well OK, maybe you don’t have orchids around, but my house is never without a pretty orchid, they are hardy and need very little attention, thus perfect for me! They remind me of visiting my grandmother in Florida where she always had orchids and air plants all around her pool area.

The growing, harvesting and curing process are extensive and arduous. So if you ever wonder why vanilla beans and good quality vanilla extract is so expensive, that is why.

Then let those beautiful beans soak away in some alcohol and you’ll have the secret to professional bakers in your own cupboard.

What Kind of Alcohol And Why Use It For Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe

Vodka is usually your go-to bet for our homemade vanilla extract recipe. Unflavored vodka that is. Because vodka is a clear liquid and has little taste it will yield little to no flavor to the vanilla extract.

You can also use bourbon, brandy or rum. Bourbon is a nice complement to the floral Tahitian vanilla beans. Just make sure that the alcohol is minimum 35% alcohol or 70 proof. Most vodkas meet that criteria.

The purpose of the alcohol is to steep or cure the vanilla bean to pull the oils out into a liquid environment.

Use any vokda as long as it’s 70-80 proof, just about any vodka out there. The quality of the bean is what counts.

Is There Alcohol-Free Vanilla Extract?

Yes, natural food stores sometimes carry vanilla extract that uses glycerin instead of alcohol as the solvent. You can also try using a vanilla powder if you want to avoid the alcohol.

Why Make Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe?

Because it’s far superior to typical store-bought vanilla extract, even the really nice brands like Neilsen Massey or from nice spice houses like Penzeys. Most commercial bakers use what’s called double fold vanilla extract and that is their secret weapon, and now you too can have that secret ingredient.

You can’t just double the amount of extract that you are using to get the bold, rich flavor of your favorite bakery. It’s the percentage vanilla bean to liquid that wins. The more fresh vanilla beans you add to your vodka (or liquid) the richer your vanilla extract recipe will be.

How Long Does The Vanilla Extract Recipe Take?

8 weeks will give you a wonderful, rich vanilla extract like you’ve never tasted before. If you have the patience, leave the beans in the bottle for 6 months and the extract will be that much stronger. It will last for at least a year.

How To Store Your Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe

Store at room temperature and away from light. Meaning don’t leave it near the stove or in your kitchen window. A typical cabinet is perfect.

Store in glass bottles. Clear bottles are pretty but amber colored ones will help protect the vanilla extract from light. Either will work.

A 2-4 ounce bottle is typical for most people. At the grocery store it’s not uncommon to see little 1 ounce bottles. Use a funnel to make transferring the vanilla extract from a large bottle into a smaller gift jar.

I keep my homemade vanilla extract in a larger canning jar and pour it into a smaller bottle to keep in my baking cabinet. It’s easier to add the additional vodka.

To keep your vanilla extract going, add additional vodka as you use the extract. Make sure to keep the vanilla beans covered at all times by the vodka to keep them from drying out and/or going bad.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Your homemade vanilla extract recipe will keep indefinitely with just a little care.

-You’ll need to make sure that the beans stay submerged in the alcohol at all times.

-As you use the vanilla extract, keep adding unflavored vodka to cover the beans.

-Shake every week or so.

-Store in a cool environment and away from light.

-That’s it, not too many rules

Want a great hostess gift for your next Christmas party? Instead of a bottle of wine bring a bottle of homemade vanilla extract with your own label attached and a recipe to someone who loves to bake or cook. Unique and will be valued.

You can get cute bottles and twine from Amazon or your local cooking or baking store. It’s easy to add a tag or print your own labels. Try mine here.

Recipes To Use Your New Vanilla Extract

Brownie Brittle is a delicious different kind of snack

Pancakes, hey they’re a classic that gets a nice kick from a dose of homemade vanilla extract

Homemade Ginger Ale, it’s really easy and delicious. Makes a great mocktail too

Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe - On The Go Bites (10)

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Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe

10 minutes, two ingredients and you have the best vanilla extract available. It's the secret weapon of professional bakers and now you can have it in your ingredient arsenal too!

CourseCondiment

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 8 Ounces

Author On The Go Bites

Ingredients

  • 8OuncesVodkainexpensive 70-80 proof
  • 5WholeVanilla beansbest quality, you can use less beans

Instructions

  1. Have a clean 8 ounce bottle handy with a fitted lid.

  2. Gently slice vanilla lengthwise in half, no need to scrape. Place beans in jar. Fill with vodka. Shake. A funnel will make filling the jar easier.

  3. Always keep the vanilla beans covered with alcohol. You cut the beans into smaller pieces to fit the jar if necessary.

  4. Shake every week. Allow at least 8 weeks, at this point the majority of the curing process has happened.

Recipe Notes

How To Store your Vanilla Extract Recipe -You can keep the extract indefinitely, as long as the beans are submerged in the alcohol and the bottle is kept out of light and heat. Your cool kitchen cupboard, away from the stove is perfect.

Vanilla Extract is the perfect hostess gift at your next Christmas or holiday party. If your host likes to bake, then homemade vanilla extract is better than a bottle of fine wine. Make tags or labels with your name, use date and instructions and a favorite recipe. Feel free to use my templates here.

Buy fun, unique bottles at your favorite craft or baking store or view some others here.

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Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe - On The Go Bites (2024)

FAQs

What is the best alcohol for homemade vanilla extract? ›

Choosing an Alcohol
  • Vodka will give you the smoothest, purest, most unadulterated and well-balanced vanilla flavor and is my preference.
  • Grain alcohol has more of a bite to it and typically pulls the flavor from the beans faster than vodka. ...
  • Bourbon will yield a smooth, warm extract with caramel undertones.
Sep 19, 2023

How long will homemade vanilla extract last? ›

What is the shelf life of my vanilla extract? When stored properly, vanilla extract will keep indefinitely, but using it within five years will allow for best flavor and aroma. Do not refrigerate or freeze, even after opening.

How soon can I use my homemade vanilla extract? ›

After some time has passed, give the jar a shake once or twice a week, until the alcohol turns a rich brown and smells of fragrant vanilla essence. The total time will depend on how many beans and how much vodka you use. For the most potent final product, let your extract bloom for 6–12 months before breaking into it.

What is floating in my homemade vanilla extract? ›

Vanilla bean pod particles may also break down over time, so it isn't uncommon to see specs or "floaties" in your extracts, especially if you sliced or cut your beans before submersing them. This is normal.

Does the alcohol cook out of homemade vanilla extract? ›

Before you worry about getting a buzz from your baked goods, nearly all of the alcohol from extracts evaporates in the cooking process.

Does higher proof alcohol make better vanilla extract? ›

Anything over 80 proof is fine and makes a lovely extract. It's true, though, that the higher the proof, the more vanilla essence will be extracted into the liquid.

Can bacteria grow in homemade vanilla extract? ›

The shelf life of the vanilla extract made this way is much shorter than with alcohol, FYI. You may be thinking that you can make vanilla extract by simply adding water to vanilla beans, but this is not a safe method. It will just create a place for bacteria to grow.

Is it cheaper to make or buy vanilla extract? ›

With the price of vanilla constantly fluctuating, it's very cost efficient to make your own. Plus, you can control the strength of its flavor. This is KEY because many pricey store-bought options lack the essential depth of flavor that makes good vanilla… good vanilla.

Can you reuse vanilla beans when making vanilla extract? ›

And, one of the best parts about using vanilla beans to make vanilla extract at home is that you can reuse the beans! Once you've used up the extract from a batch, you can reuse the beans (with added fresh ones) to make a new batch of extract.

Should I add sugar to my homemade vanilla extract? ›

Sugar in vanilla extracts

Sugar is added as a stabilizer or to make alcohol smell and taste milder. I think that being in control of how much sugar you add to your desserts is important, so skipping sweeteners in vanilla extract is one more reason to make your own at home.

Why is my homemade vanilla not dark? ›

As the vanilla extract sits, it will get darker. You want the beans to soak in the alcohol for at least 2 months before using it. The flavor will only get better with time. Make up several batches of vanilla extract at once so you never have to wait for a batch to brew.

What are the best vanilla beans for homemade vanilla extract? ›

Indonesian Vanilla – The beans from Indonesia are mass-produced and usually a grade B bean. For making homemade vanilla extract, this is the type that is recommended. They may be a bit more brittle and dried out which makes them perfect for the long soaking in vodka or bourbon.

Can you keep adding vodka to homemade vanilla extract? ›

Because it's made with vodka and vanilla beans, you can keep your bottle going for years by replenishing the vodka and vanilla beans as you use the extract.

Why does my homemade vanilla extract still taste like alcohol? ›

Answer #2: Alcohol is normal. Remember that all "Pure" extracts are required to have a minimum 35% alcohol content, which is just as much alcohol that is in hard liquor.

How do I know when my homemade vanilla extract is done? ›

If you are using stronger-tasting alcohol like bourbon or rum, allow more time for extraction. The golden rule is the vanilla aromatics should be at the forefront, and the alcohol flavour lingers in the background. Your extract is not ready if the alcohol base dominates the delicate, sweet taste of vanilla.

What is the highest alcohol content in vanilla extract? ›

Vanilla extract may contain up to 35% ABV, which is the equivalent of a shot of hard liquor like vodka or bourbon. This means vanilla extract can get you drunk, but it also puts a person at risk of alcohol poisoning.

What is the best solvent for vanilla extract? ›

Culinary Solvent USDA Certified Organic food grade ethanol provides chefs and bakers with the highest quality ethyl alcohol for homemade vanilla extracts.

What kind of vodka is best for making vanilla? ›

But BEWARE the trap of buying flavored vodkas for vanilla extract. They don't always marry well with vanilla beans and the result can be disheartening. Stick with plain Smirnoff and you'll do just fine. Ciroc - A five-times distilled French vodka will deliver a beautiful, pure extract.

Are grade B vanilla beans good for extract? ›

Grade B vanilla beans, on the other hand, are considered 'extract-grade beans', and they are primarily used in making vanilla extract. They are also used in baking and cooking, but they are not recommended for high-end desserts or dishes where the vanilla flavor and appearance are the main focus.

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