Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe | Simple and Easy (2024)

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Homemade Vanilla Extract is the richest and not-so-secret ingredient that makes baked goods smell and taste so delicious. Yes, vanilla extract is the key to the wholesome flavor and aroma found in almost all of our favorite baked products.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

So what if we tell you that it takes just two ingredients to make homemade vanilla extract? Yes, that’s right – vanilla beans and alcohol, that’s all!

Your Vanilla Extract is Just 4 Steps Away

(but, start now as homemade vanilla needs to “age” for approximately 2 month but 3 to 4 months is even better!)

Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe | Simple and Easy (1)

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Step 1: Gather the Ingredients (For 8 ounces of vanilla extract)

3 to 5 Vanilla Beans

As we said, the only ingredients you need are vanilla beans and alcohol.

Vanilla beans are available in the spice aisle of most grocery stores. If you can’t find them there, look for them online. I have found buying vanilla beans in bulk to be the most economical way when making your extract. Vanilla beans can be expensive. I put the range from 3 to 5 bean pods per 8 ounces of vodka so you can add what you can afford.

Three vanilla beans will produce a more commercial grade of vanilla extract whereas five beans per cup of alcohol will give you a professional baker quality.

Vanilla Beans come labeled as Grade A or Grade B; both can be used to make homemade vanilla extract. Grade A beans are more expensive, softer and more pliable and usually used in cooking. Grade B beans are firmer and a little drier and are used in making the extract and they make excellent vanilla extract.

Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe | Simple and Easy (2)

The 2 types of beans recommended are:

8 oz plain vodka (80 proof alcohol)

For the best vanilla extract, it is suggested to use vodka. You can also use bourbon, brandy, or rum but these will give a flavored extract instead of just pure vanilla.

The best part is that less expensive alcohol also makes divine vanilla extract.

So you can buy cheaper alcohol and spend your money on buying higher quality vanilla beans instead.

Avoid flavored vodkas as they contain artificial ingredients. You don’t want to ruin the purpose of pure vanilla extract.

Glass bottles or jars (Must have screw-on lids. Avoid cork lids.)

2-ounce bottles

4-ounce bottles

8-ounce bottles

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I usedreturn address labels for my vanilla extract bottles. They are simple and easy. I requested that Homemade Vanilla, Organic Vanilla Bean, and 4 ounces be printed on the labels. It worked out nicely!

Step 2: Slit the Beans

Place the vanilla beans on a cutting board and carefully make inch long slits in them. I like to make several slits in each bean to allow the vodka to seep in and to draw out the rich vanilla flavor. Some of the small vanilla bean seeds will work their way out of the bean pods and will dot your homemade vanilla extract.

These seeds inside each bean add a wonderful rustic appeal to your homemade vanilla extract.

Keep the ends of each bean intact so they hold together nicely in the bottles. Place the slices in the jars.

Step 3: Pour the Alcohol

Add 8oz of 80 proof vodka to your vanilla beans in your jar or bottle. Make sure that the vanilla beans are completely covered in vodka. Screw on the cap or lid. Reminder: do not use cork topped bottles.

Step 4: Shake and Wait

The last step is to gentle shake the vanilla beans and alcohol in the bottles or jars. Then wait 8 weeks or longer. The very best vanilla ages for up to a year.

Store the bottles at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Gently shake each bottle every once a week or so.

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And, after two months…….Voila! Your Homemade Vanilla Extract is Ready!

Consider making 2 oz, 4oz and 8oz bottles of Homemade Vanilla Extract for all your gift-giving! Vanilla Extract is a perfect birthday or Christmas gift as well as a very nice house-warming gift!

Quantity of Vanilla Beans and Vodka for larger batches that are perfect for gifts!!

Here are the number of vanilla beans per cups of vodka. These ratios are for a mid-quality between commercial and professional baker. You should be highly pleased with the results!

4 Beans and 8 oz of Vodka

8 Beans and 16oz of Vodka

12 Beans and 24oz of Vodka

16 Beans and 32oz of Vodka

Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe | Simple and Easy (5)

Why Should You Opt for Homemade Vanilla?

Yes, we know vanilla extract is a readily available product in the market, but we can’t ignore the fact that it is highly costly. With the increasing cost of packaged vanilla extract, isn’t it more feasible to make it at home? It will also save you from substitute products that are being sold under the name of vanilla extracts.

If you find a product that claims to be a natural imitation of vanilla extract, don’t be fooled as it will have artificial flavors and colors. Pure vanilla extract is dark brown and only has two ingredients: vanilla beans and alcohol.

Homemade vanilla extract is super easy to make, so why not make it yourself? Experiment with different alcohols and vanilla beans to add a unique flavor to your baking.

Yield: 8 oz

Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe | Simple and Easy (6)

Easy Vanilla Extract made with 2 ingredients!

Prep Time30 minutes

Additional Time2 months

Total Time2 months 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 to 5 Whole Vanilla Beans
  • 1 cup Vodka or Bourbon 80 Proof

Instructions

    1. Place the vanilla beans on a cutting board and carefully make inch long slits in them.I like to make several slits in each bean to allow the vodka to seep in in order to draw out the rich vanilla flavor.

    2. Place the split beans in a glass bottle or jar.

    3. Pour the vodka or bourbon over the beans, making sure they are fully submerged.

    .4. Seal the container and store it in a cool, dark place for at least 8 weeks.

    5. Gently shake each bottle once a week or so.

    6. After 8 weeks, strain out the vanilla beans and transfer the liquid to a clean bottle for use.

Notes

1. For the best vanilla extract, it is suggested to use vodka. You can also use bourbon, brandy, or rum but these will give a flavored extract instead of just pure vanilla.

2. You can split each vanilla bean and scrape out the seeds it you do not like having the tiny seeds in your finished product as some of the small vanilla bean seeds will work their way out of the bean pods and will dot your homemade vanilla extract. But, the tiny seeds inside each bean add a wonderful rustic appeal to your homemade vanilla extract.

3. Quantity of Vanilla Beans and Vodka for larger batches that are perfect for gifts!!

Here are the number of vanilla beans per cups of vodka. These ratios are for a mid-quality between commercial and professional baker. You should be highly pleased with the results!


4 Beans and 8oz of Vodka

8 Beans and 16oz of Vodka

12 Beans and 24oz of Vodka

16 Beans and 32oz of Vodka

A few tips and pointers:

  • The little black specks are from the natural vanilla seeds in each pod. These are normal and show the authenticity of your homemade vanilla.
  • Brown glass bottles help protect the extract from light.
  • Always use 80 proof vodka or bourbon.
  • Allow your homemade vanilla extract to age for at least 2 months and possibly longer if you have the time
  • If you have an extra vanilla bean or two, place the bean pod in a bowl of raw sugar for a fragrant vanilla-flavored sugar topping!

Nutrition Information

Yield

48

Serving Size

1

Amount Per ServingCalories 11Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 0mgCarbohydrates 0gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 0g

Nutrition information isn’t always accurate due to variations of ingredients used in recipe.Did you make this recipe?

A few tips and pointers:

  • The little black specks are from the natural vanilla seeds in each pod. These are normal and show the authenticity of your homemade vanilla.
  • Brown glass bottles help protect the extract from light.
  • Always use 80 proof vodka.
  • Allow your homemade vanilla extract to age for at least 2 months and possibly longer if you have the time
  • If you have an extra vanilla bean or two, place the bean pod in a bowl of raw sugar for a fragrant vanilla-flavored sugar topping!
Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe | Simple and Easy (7)
Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe | Simple and Easy (2024)

FAQs

How is vanilla extract made step by step? ›

Instructions
  1. Slice each bean lengthwise and place in bottle. ...
  2. Pour one cup of vodka (or alcohol of your choice) into the bottle. ...
  3. Shake once or twice a week.
  4. Wait at least 8 weeks, but 4-6 months is ideal. ...
  5. Presto, your alcohol has turned into delicious homemade vanilla extract!

What is the best alcohol to make vanilla extract with? ›

Use either. 80 proof Alcohol: Vanilla extract is most commonly made from vodka, but you can use bourbon, brandy, or rum instead. I usually use vodka, but the one bottle of bourbon vanilla I made 7 months ago is DIVINE. No need to splurge on expensive alcohol.

What is the best vanilla bean for making vanilla extract? ›

For classic vanilla flavor, stick strictly with Madagascar vanilla or Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans. If you have the choice between “Grade A” or “Grade B”, stick to the Grade B because they're cheaper (if not as pretty) and they work just as well for making extract.

Can I keep adding vodka to my homemade vanilla extract? ›

For the most potent final product, let your extract bloom for 6–12 months before breaking into it. As you use it up, you can keep adding vodka to the jar to keep the extraction process going.

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

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. Alcohol is needed for extraction.

How is traditional vanilla extract made? ›

Vanilla extract—the kind that explicitly says “pure vanilla extract” on its label—is made by soaking vanilla beans in an alcohol solution to “extract” (get it?) all of their flavor compounds. According to the FDA, vanilla extract must be at least 35% alcohol with a minimum of 100 grams of vanilla beans per liter.

How many vanilla beans for 8 oz vodka? ›

For best flavor you'll want 4-5 vanilla beans for every 8 ounces (1 cup) of vodka. The quality of the vanilla beans is more important than the quality of the alcohol, so you don't need to buy an expensive bottle. Alcohol: 80 proof Vodka, (or brandy, rum, or bourbon, if preferred, for different flavor).

Should I use vodka or Everclear for vanilla extract? ›

Vodka is the preferred alcohol for extractions like this, as its flavor is neutral and does not compete with that of the vanilla beans.

How long should homemade vanilla extract sit? ›

Seal the jar tightly with a lid and store in a dark, cool place. Wait. Next, you must wait at least 8 weeks before using the vanilla extract. I actually prefer to wait for 3-4 months before I open and use mine, because the vanilla flavor continues to intensify the longer the beans sit.

Is it cheaper to make your own vanilla extract? ›

Not only is it cheaper, but the flavor is worlds apart from your average extract. Making your own vanilla extract is one of the easiest things you can do, and it can save you loads of money verses the stuff sold in stores.

How long do vanilla beans last in homemade vanilla extract? ›

You can leave the vanilla beans in the bottles indefinitely and continue to top up the jar with alcohol as you use the extract. Alternatively, you can make vanilla sugar with the used vanilla beans. Place the old vanilla beans in some granulated sugar to infuse the sugar with vanilla flavors.

How many vanilla beans for a gallon of vodka? ›

If you enjoy the added sweetness of double-fold extract, simply double the amount of beans. How were these numbers calculated? The FDA says that for extract to be “Pure” you need 13.35oz of vanilla beans in every gallon of spirit.

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.

Can you reuse vanilla beans when making vanilla extract? ›

If you've got a vanilla bean that you've split and scraped the seeds out of for a baking project, you can totally breathe new life into that bean by throwing it into a batch of vanilla extract. Beans you've already used in a batch of extract can be reused in the next batch.

Is Tito's vodka good for vanilla extract? ›

They are drier than Grade A, which are usually better for baking. We buy our grade b vanilla beans here. Vodka: We use Tito's vodka, which is naturally gluten-free! Any will work!

Do you have to use alcohol to make vanilla extract? ›

Yes, you can find vanilla extracts that contain less or no alcohol, though they won't be called “extracts” since they don't meet the FDA's standards. These products are commonly referred to as vanilla flavoring, instead.

Why do you need alcohol to make vanilla extract? ›

This allows the flavour compounds from the pure vanilla bean to infuse into the alcohol/water mixture, which then forms the pure vanilla extract. While vanilla beans can be extracted without alcohol, it is very slow, ineffective and results in a lower quality vanilla extract.

Do you have to split vanilla beans to make extract? ›

Leaving the Beans Whole

There are two primary benefits to leaving your vanilla beans whole: Vanilla extract makers will tell you that there is a richer vanilla taste when the vanillin is extracted by seeping through an uncut vanilla pod. It's easy to harvest the caviar or reuse the bean when your extract is finished.

What are the raw materials in vanilla extract? ›

Vanilla extract is a solution made by macerating and percolating vanilla pods in a solution of ethanol and water.

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