How to make homemade vanilla extract so you never have to buy it at the store again!
Seven years ago my friend Brooke gave me a jar of homemade vanilla extract. I haven’t bought any vanilla extract from a grocery store since then!
I discovered that homemade vanilla extract tastes so much better in recipes and is WAY cheaper than store-bought.
So here are the simple instructions for making your own. All you need are some glass jars, vanilla beans, cheap vodka and time. I regularly give this as a gift and it might be my most-requested gift!
Get some vanilla beans
In general, I’ve found that with enough time (at least a few months), you can easily get 8 ounces of extract from two beans, if not slightly more. So that works out to one bean for 4 oz. jars and four beans for a pint-sized Mason jar.
I recommend these 10 Extract Grade Vanilla Beans on Amazon. Forget buying vanilla extract by the ounce… this will be enough to make 5 CUPS of vanilla extract!
Get your hands on some cheap vodka
Some other sites will tell you that you should use high quality vodka or rum. But I have had the best luck with cheap vodka.
All it does is dissolve the oils in the vanilla and burns off when cooking, so don’t waste money on top shelf booze. I got a handle (1.75 liters) of “Aristocrat” vodka on sale for $12.95.
Slice the vanilla beans to expose more good stuff
You will get stronger extract faster if you expose the inside of the vanilla beans.
I sliced into but not through each bean lengthwise to expose the insides. I also cut each bean in half to they would fit into my smaller jars.
Into the jars go the beans and vodka
Now just add the vanilla beans and vodka to some glass jars, seal and wait. It does help to shake the jars periodically.
I made a larger batch in this quart-sized Mason jar, but any size will do. Again, I recommend using about two vanilla beans per cup (8 ounces).
I suggest waiting four to six months for a rich vanilla flavor.
Before you use or gift the extract you can filter out the vanilla residue with a coffee filter or cheese cloth, but you don’t have to to this. I like the flecks of vanilla in my cooking but others may not.
I purchased these brown 4 oz. glass bottles on Amazon into which I transferred two pieces of vanilla bean and then filled them up with the extract. They were the perfect size for gifting!
I have to share my absolute favorite recipe for using this delicious extract with. It’s the most popular recipe on my site and I know you will love it!
Easy Snickerdoodle cookies without butter. Classic cinnamon sugar cookies with oil. Easy Snickerdoodle Cookies Without Butter
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
48
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 101Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 54mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 0gSugar: 7gProtein: 1g
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Patti
Monday 28th of September 2020
what kind of lids should i use on my ball jars?
Leah
Tuesday 29th of September 2020
Any kind of lid really - I have used metal lids and plastic lids.
Jennifer
Thursday 13th of December 2018
Did you ever have residue form to the inside of your bottles when making vanill
Leah
Friday 14th of December 2018
Hmmm, I have only had little flecks of vanilla that break off and settle to the bottom. I like these in the extract (have you had the Breyer's all natural vanilla ice cream? Looks like that) but you could always strain them out with cheesecloth. I haven't had any other residue, though.
Cindy
Monday 20th of February 2017
Hi..I want to start making the home made vanilla extract. Could you tell me how much vodka and beans to a pint mason jar? Thank you
Leah
Tuesday 21st of February 2017
Hi Cindy! I use 2 beans per cup, so that's 4 per pint Mason jar. I'm updating the post to make this more clear, thanks!
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Robyn
Monday 22nd of June 2015
So that's how you did it! I love my extract, too!!
Leah
Monday 22nd of June 2015
Thanks Robyn and I'm so glad you like it! I'm almost out so I need to get more cooking ASAP!