Pure Homemade Vanilla Extract
This homemade vanilla extract recipe is delicious, easy, customizable and cost effective. Once you try it, you'll never go back to store-bought vanilla extract again!
Equipment
- Glass jar with a lid
- parchment paper
- Label with product name, start and end date
Ingredients
- 5-6 vanilla beans (or 1 oz vanilla beans)
- 8 oz high proof alcohol
Instructions
- Gather your vanilla beans, alcohol, clean jars and lids, parchment paper and labels.
- Slice the vanilla bean pods down the middle length-wise to open them up and expose more area for extraction.
- If necessary, cut your vanilla beans down in length to fit the dimensions of your jar so that they can be completely submerged in the alcohol.
- Add the sliced vanilla bean pods to your jar.
- Pour the alcohol into your jar, making sure that the vanilla beans are submerged.
- Place a piece of parchment paper between the jar and lid to prevent any possible corrosion from the alcohol touching the metal lid.
- Seal up the jar and place a label with the product name, start and end date on it.
- Keep this mixture away from direct sunlight and all allow it to extract in a cool, dark place for a minimum of 6-8 weeks. 6 months or longer will give your vanilla extract maximum flavor.
- Every few days, shake your jar of vanilla extract to aid the extraction process.
- Test your vanilla extract after the extraction time is up. If you want it to be stronger, simply let it extract longer.
- If desired, transfer to smaller bottles for convenient use. Keep your vanilla extract stored in a cool, dark place for the best shelf life.
- Enjoy!