Do you like to bake?
When you bake as much as I do, it is very easy to go through baking ingredients on a regular basis. I purchased very good vanilla extract for a pretty penny and I am always running out! It’s too much money when I can make my own!
Let’s get started!
Homemade Vanilla Extract
2 ingredients.
6-8 Madagascar Vanilla beans per 8 oz. bottle. Find Vanilla Beans HERE. Find the bottles HERE.
Vodka (You can also use Bourbon or Rum each one having a slightly different flavor).
**the alcohol draws out the best flavor in your vanilla bean but you can make your recipe without
by substituting vegetable glycerin for the alcohol.
Directions:
For 6 to 8 beans per 8 oz. bottle.
I slice my beans down the center the long way to release fragrance and flavor of the vanilla bean paste see photos below). Place the vanilla beans into clean 8 oz. bottles. I found my bottles on Amazon HERE. You must cover the beans completely with Vodka so they are submerged-approximately 8 oz. of vodka per bottle. Keep in mind, the vodka has to be 70 proof or more. (I found 80 proof on sale 😂).
Cap bottles tightly. Shake gently to infuse flavors. Store away and let sit for at least 8 weeks.
Try to shake bottles as often as possible to insure that the flavors continue to blend-at least once a week. After 8 weeks the vanilla will be ready to use. The longer you wait the better the flavor- 4 to 6 months is actually optimal. Use in all your baking recipes that call for vanilla extract! Enjoy!