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Originally posted 7/19/20, Updated 4/29/20

Why make your own Homemade Vanilla Extract

Vanilla adds an amazing flavor to your recipes. You can’t beat that amazing smell and taste of vanilla in your cookies or cakes.

Real vanilla extract can be expensive when buying it from the store. But it does not compare to imitation vanilla. The flavor and smell is rich and much more fresh. 

Making your own vanilla extract is so simple to make and tastes amazing in your baked goods.

It is much more cost effective to make your own vanilla extract. You can buy about 25 vanilla beans for about $20 and a 1750 ml bottle of vodka for around $20.

For an 8 oz jar of homemade vanilla extract you only need a little less then 8 oz of vodka and 3 vanilla beans. Now, that bottle of vodka will last a long time. There’s plenty there to make about eight, 8 ounce jars of vanilla, that’s a lot of vanilla extract. Also the vanilla beans can be reused a couple times before composted. Potentially, depending on prices in your area that’s a good amount of homemade vanilla extract for around $30.

Fun Fact

Did you know that vanilla beans come from an orchid plant? I love Orchids, they have such beautiful flowers. The vanilla orchid is a tropical climbing vine. It needs very specific conditions when it comes to blooming and growing the vanilla bean pods.

In the photo below, the stem behind the flower is what will be the vanilla bean.

Ways to use Homemade Vanilla Extract

I use vanilla extract in just about all my baking. From chocolate cake to my No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies and my Sourdough Banana Bread

Sometimes I put a few drops in my homemade Greek yogurt. Yum!

I’m not much of a coffee or tea drinker but I know some people put a little in their morning coffee or tea for some vanilla flavor.

How to store your vanilla extract

It is best to store your vanilla extract in a cool dark spot. It should be out of direct sunlight and in a moderate room temperature area. I store mine on my counter, and any extras I keep in my cabinet. Where it sits on my counter, it does not get direct sunlight. I prefer to use a clear bottle so I can keep an eye on the color of the liquid to get a better idea of when its ready.

Which vanilla beans to use

The type of vanilla bean doesn’t really matter unless your looking for a particular flavor.

I use Madagascar vanilla beans, I have had great success using this type. This one tends to be the most commonly sold in stores. You may also find Mexican Vanilla beans and Tahitian Vanilla beans. Though, Madagascar vanilla bean is typically recommended for making vanilla extract due to its great flavor (Source). Tahitian beans, Mexican beans or Madagascar beans can all work, with great results and flavor.

Madagascar beans: have a rich and creamy flavor.

Mexican beans: have what some would say a smoky flavor.

Tahitian beans: have a rich floral flavor.

When shopping for vanilla beans you may find that some labels say “Grade A” or “Grade B”. 

When it comes to making vanilla extract, grade B beans are best and are also less expensive. It doesn’t have as much moisture in it so it makes for a stronger extract. Grade A beans tend to be better for dishes. There is more moisture in the pod, so the flavor is easily transferred to the food. Things like cakes and ice cream do best with this one. Chefs tend to prefer grade A because it looks prettier since it isn’t as dry and doesn’t have as many imperfections. 

You can find vanilla beans at the grocery store but I find that it’s costs more and you only get 1 or 2 whole vanilla beans. I prefer to find a bulk package online, typically though Amazon. These are the most recent vanilla pods that I’ve purchased.

If you find you have extra vanilla beans left over you can make some vanilla sugar with the seeds of the vanilla pods. This is typically done by scraping out the seeds with a knife and adding it to plain sugar and mixing it thoroughly. 

What alcohol can I use?

Vodka has the most neutral flavor which it is why it tends to be used more. Though many people use Bourbon, Rum or Brandy to get different flavors in their extract. Just about any alcohol can be used as long as it is 80 proof – this means that 40% of the liquid in the bottle is alcohol. So go ahead and get the cheap stuff, because even the cheapest vodka will still make great extract using real vanilla beans.

I would like to try using Bourbon or Rum at some point, just to have a different flavor. Though I would recommend not using flavored alcohol since they are usually artificially flavored and this defeats the point of making vanilla extract.

How long does vanilla extract last?

If stored properly vanilla extract has an indefinite shelf life – this would mean; the vanilla beans are submerged under the alcohol and the bottle is kept in a cool dark place. Due to the alcohol in it, it doesn’t necessarily go bad though it may start to loose some of the vanilla smell and flavor. At that rate, within 5 years would be best to have the best flavor and aroma.

What to do with the beans once the vanilla extract is ready to use?

If they have only been used for one batch, you can leave the beans in the jar until your ready to use for a new batch. 

You can also take the beans out and place them in a new jar with more alcohol to make a new batch. Otherwise, you can compost them but I wouldn’t toss them after only making one batch.

Some recommend keeping the beans covered to prevent mold, though, I have never had this issue. Doing this, they would add more alcohol to the bottle when they see the beans are not covered. 

Unless you only use your vanilla extract every couple months, I feel that this would not be a great idea. Your technically diluting your extract and it then doesn’t have time to have the same flavor, of the rest of the extract in the bottle. So, using your extract the following day of adding more alcohol, it may not be as flavorful and have more of an alcohol smell unless you only use teaspoons at a time.

Tools and Ingredients

• Clean kitchen Scissors or sharp knife
• 8 oz mason jar with lid or other glass jar of choice of similar volume
• 80 Proof Alcohol
• 3 whole Vanilla beans

How to make Homemade Vanilla Extract

STEP ONE

Cut your down whole beans down the center, lengthwise. This will expose the vanilla seeds inside allowing the flavor to be extracted faster. 

STEP TWO

Place the beans upright in your container of choice, preferably a glass bottle or jar, no plastic. You may need to cut the beans in half if you have a short container to get them to fit.

STEP THREE

Fill the glass bottle with your alcohol of choice to the top of the beans so that they are are completely covered. I am currently using Absolute Vodka brand.

STEP FOUR

Place the lid on your container and set it aside in a cool place, like your spice cabinet or other dark place. Give it a good shake every now and then – about once a week.

The vanilla and alcohol need to sit for 6 months, the longer the better. Ideally 6-12 months for best flavor. You will see it slowly get darker and you will know it is ready when it no longer smells like alcohol.

Homemade Vanilla Extract make wonderful holiday gifts or for any special occasion. 

I know it’s July at the time of writing this but now is a great time to start thinking about Christmas gifts. Since it takes about 6 months to have vanilla extract that is ready to use, now is the time to make it. By the time the holiday season rolls around, all you need to do is wrap it up! Who wouldn’t love homemade extract?

You could tie a ribbon around it and gift it in a basket. Add some other items like a cute tea towel with some mason jar mix recipes, like a chocolate chip cookie mix. They’ll need some vanilla extract for that recipe. Then what better way to gift it then to wrap it Furoshiki Style. I show you how to do that HERE.

These also make a great gift for a house warming, hostess gift or birthday gifts for anyone that likes to bake. 

Now, if your not able to make it ahead, soon enough and it’s not ready come the special occasion, you can add a little note saying when it will be ready.

Have fun making vanilla extract!

Products Mentioned

Vanilla Beans

Mason Jars

PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD

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Homemade Vanilla Extract

Yield: 8 oz

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Additional Time: 4 months

Total Time: 4 months 5 minutes

Making your own homemade vanilla extract is a simple way to add flavorful and delicious touch to your homemade recipes. It also makes for a great Christmas gift.

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Ingredients

• 3 Vanilla Beans
• 80 Proof Alcohol

Instructions

STEP ONE

Cut your vanilla beans down the center, lengthwise. This will expose the vanilla seeds inside allowing the flavor to be extracted faster.

STEP TWO

Place the beans upright in your container of choice. You may need to cut the beans in half if you have a short container to get them to fit.

STEP THREE

Fill the container with your alcohol of choice so that the beans are covered. I am currently using Absolute Vodka.

STEP FOUR

Place the lid on your container and set it aside in your spice cabinet or other dark place.

The vanilla and alcohol need to sit for about 4 months. You will see it slowly get darker and you will know it is ready when it no longer smells like alcohol.

Notes

• I find it is easiest to cut the vanilla beans with a pair of scissors.

• Be sure to keep the vanilla beans below the alcohol to keep it from molding.
• Give the jar a gentle shake once a week to help stir up the vanilla

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