Homemade Vanilla Extract
June 23, 2009 | Filed Under Vanilla Extract
I’m so excited! I just can’t hide it! I know, I know, I know, I know that I’ll love it! Love it (*Sing to the tune of the Pointer Sisters song, I’m So Excited.)!
I made my own vanilla extract, y’all! Can you believe it!? I can’t. I’m soooo excited. Okay. Yeah, it takes very little to get me excited. I should probably get out more, but this IS exciting news for me. I never thought I’d ever make my own vanilla extract. And now, I have a whole lot.
Vanilla extract is very expensive — at least where I live, it is very expensive. A small bottle costs about four or five bucks. And I’m always forever running out of vanilla extract and having to buy more. Grrr! Very annoying.
Now, I’ll no longer have that problem. I’m so excited!
Last year, I read an excellent post by Garrett of Vanilla Garlic about vanilla beans from different locations. For example there’s Tahitian, Indian, Mexican vanilla. Their flavor differs according to where they’re grown. Who knew there were various types, for different uses? Who knew? I didn’t.
A few months later, Elise of Simply Recipes posted a recipe on how to make ones own vanilla extract. I saved the recipe until I finally had a chance to make it.
I bought my vanilla beans from Beanilla, and I chose the Mexican vanilla. According to Garrett’s description, "This vanilla is sweet, smooth and creamy. My personal favorite. Perfect for hot chocolate, liquors, creams, and cakes."
So, I used my Mexican vanilla to make my extract. I still have a few weeks before I can use it. In the meantime, it continues to get darker and darker. I can’t wait to use my very own vanilla extract.
*breaking into song and dance* I’m so excited! I just can’t hide it!
Paz
Homemade Vanilla Extract
Commercial vanilla extract usually has simple syrup (sugar water) added to the extract to give it a sweet aftertaste. You can do this if you want, but if you are using the vanilla for baking, there really is no need.
Ingredients
- 3 vanilla beans
- 1 cup vodka
- glass jar with tight fitting lid
Method
1 Use kitchen scissors or a sharp paring knife to cut lengthwise down each vanilla bean, splitting them in half, leaving an inch at the end connected.
2 Put vanilla beans in a glass jar or bottle with a tight fitting lid (mason jars work well). Cover completely with the vodka.
3 Give the bottle a good shake every once in a while. Store in a dark, cool place for 2 months or longer.
Lasts for years. You can keep topping it off with vodka once in a while as you use it, just remember to give it a good shake.
You can also make vanilla sugar by putting a split vanilla bean into a jar of white, granulated sugar. Great way to infuse the sugar with vanilla flavor for baking.
Comments
25 Responses to “Homemade Vanilla Extract”
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Home-made vanilla, thats sooo cool!
This is so true about the different kinds of vanilla extracts. I used to use the McCormick brand, which wasn’t bad, until I bought a bottle of extra concentrated extract from Penzey’s. It was like I was baking completely new cookies and cakes. Can’t wait to find out how your homemade version works for you.
Yay!
Check out SF Herb and their vanilla beans. Every time we go home we order some, so that we can scrape the guts out and deposit the spent hulls in a bottle of vodka. About 20 spent pods gets you the extract, plus you get to use the innards of the beans, too.
Now I’m inspired to do this! My cousin brought me some vanilla extract from Mexico, and I loved the flavor of it. What fun to have your own supply.
This must be attempted very soon. Has to taste better and in the end be cheaper than store bought.
I did this last year and was amazed too, will be making more this year (when it gets cooler).
What a Fabulous idea, Paz! Can’t wait to try it – and you have to let us know what you think when you sample your results!
The photo is fabulous too – when I first saw it I thought it was a painting… it certainly gives me some ideas!!
Paz, I am joining your dance
I make (oh well… so effortless, hehee) vanilla sugar too. Everytime I open the lid, that beautiful aroma can’t wait to brust out.
that’s really cool, paz! I didnt know homemade vanilla extract includes vodka. my husband would definitely get me to make a lot. waiting for 2 mths sounds a bit too long though.
I’m so excited for you, Paz! I’ve always got a vanilla bean in a jar of sugar, but have never made my own extract. Kudos to you for doing it!! I love that first photo!
My question is: Can you drink it?
That is exciting! Love having homemade vanilla extract around. If you use vanilla beans for other purposes you can add the spent ones to the jar too. Seems crazy to spend so much on store-bought when you can make your own so easily. Enjoy!
I understand the feeling! Although I haven’t yet tried to make my own a friend gifted me with an Absolut vodka bottle filled with vanila beans and I love using it!
I just have to add (ack!), I actually have a dance for that song…heeheehee!
Wow..how exciting, homemade vanilla extract! Vodka? Who knew?? I certainly didn’t know that tidbit, and it is very expensive.
By the way, I love that Pointer Sisters song!
I am so excited for you too, I want to make my own I have a good quality vodka at home (we almost don´t drink spirits).
These weeks I can´t visit your bolg, as well the other. I miss a lot of thing , as the apple cake ,I bookmarked to bake later And you know how much I love NY,I’m glad that you back to post some photos
Besos
Now I have the song ringing in my head
It makes for a great gift too don’t you think? that photo looks beautiful!Hope you wont mind but I’d love to bring over Foodista readers to your site, just add this little widget here to this post and it’s all set to go, Thanks!
Sounds like you’re making a vanilla martini.
Love the photo.
LL
Thanks, everyone, for stopping by. And thanks, D, for the link.
Paz
I would be totally excited too. Keep us posted!
Your vanilla exctract looks so lovely, I have another recipe but also a winner! I think once you have made your own you won’t go back to the other ones, right?
That’s funny, I have that same post from Simply Recipes saved! One day I’ll get to this
Thanks for the suggestion on where to find the vanilla beans 
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