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How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract: An easy guide to making pure vanilla extract right at home. Just 2 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep needed!
Easy Homemade Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is like liquid gold in our house. We love using it in all of our baked goods—muffins, cookies, cakes, you name it.
And trust me when I say, a good vanilla extract makes all the difference in any recipe—especially ones that only have a few ingredients in them.
It’s for that reason (along with the fact that it’s more economical), that I love to make my vanilla extract at home. It’s so easy and the flavor is just so much better!
Vanilla Beans I Buy
Shop Vanilla Beans
Fresh Extract Grade B Tahitian Vanilla Beans from Late 2022 – 2023 Crop Suistainably Sourced From Indonesian Farmers!
Is It Worth Making Your Own Vanilla Extract?
Yes! The cost of vanilla beans fluctuates from year to year, which causes the price of store-bought vanilla extract to fluctuate as well. No matter what, though, it’s always cheaper to make your own extract at home.
So it’s better financially and in flavor!
What is Vanilla Extract Made Of?
You need just two basic ingredients to make this homemade pure vanilla extract. Scroll to the recipe card below for ingredient amounts.
- Vanilla Beans: I recommend using Grade B vanilla beans. 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!
How to Make Vanilla Extract?
- Scrape out the vanilla beans: Use a sharp knife to slice each of your vanilla beans in half. Use the same knife to scrape the beans out of the pod and place into a clean jar. Once all the beans have been scraped, cut them in half to fit inside the jar.
- Combine and store: Place the cut beans into the jar, pour vodka over the top (this small funnel can help!), then cover with a tight fitting lid. Store at room temperature for at least 6 weeks.
Vodka to Bean Ratio
The general rule of thumb is 1 ounce (by weight of beans) per 8 fluid ounces of alcohol. So it’s fairly easy to make more or less, as desired!
When Is It Ready?
Store at room temperature for at least 6 weeks and then get going! Eight weeks is ideal, so plan ahead if gifting! It will turn a dark amber color when it’s ready!
Does Vanilla Extract Have Alcohol?
Yes! Pure vanilla extract actually contains about 35% alcohol. The alcohol plays a key role in extracting the flavor out of the vanilla bean.
Keep in mind that, while the alcohol content in vanilla extract is pretty high, a little bit of vanilla goes a long way.
So, the amount of alcohol that actually ends up in anything you bake is very minimal!
What is the Best Alcohol to Make Vanilla Extract With?
You can use any neutral tasting alcohol, like vodka. I prefer Tito’s because it’s gluten-free!
Alternatively, you can try using any 80 proof alcohol such as brandy, rum, or bourbon. Darker liquors work, but will impart a slight flavor.
Tips and Notes
- Make more than one jar at a time so that you never run out! When one jar starts to get low, simply place a few more scraped vanilla beans into the jar, top it off with some vodka, then set it aside while you start on your second jar. You can have a constant rotation of homemade vanilla on hand!
- Keep adding to it… Make sure the vanilla beans are always covered with vodka to avoid mold! You can refill your vanilla extract with more vodka as it runs out, so essentially you’ll always have it!
- We love to have the flecks of vanilla bean in the extract, but if you like it a little cleaner, you can save the beans for another use or strain the extract before you use it.
- Vodka to Bean Ratio. The general rule of thumb is 1 ounce (by weight of beans) per 8 fluid ounces of alcohol. So it’s fairly easy to make more or less, as desired!
- Storing. Keep your homemade vanilla extract in a cool dry place like your pantry or a cabinet!
- Gift them! Make your homemade extract into a cute holiday gift by packaging it up into small jars, adding a cute label, and a tying it up with some ribbon.
How to Use Homemade Vanilla Extract
You can use homemade vanilla extract any way that you’d use the store-bought stuff! Use it in your favorite sugar cookies, whip up a batch of brownies, bake it into your a delicious homemade birthday cake, or add it to chai popsicles for a delicious summer treat! The possibilities really are endless!
How Long Will Homemade Vanilla Extract Last?
Pure vanilla has an indefinite shelf life! Simply store it in an airtight jar at room temperature.
Note: Make sure the beans are always covered with vodka to avoid mold.
It just gets better as it sits!
More How-To Recipes to Try:
- How to Make Cold Brew Iced Coffee
- How to Make a Lettuce Wrap Sandwich (Low-Carb!)
- How to Make Chicken Broth (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker)
- How to Make a Charcuterie Board
Watch the Video:
Vanilla Beans I Buy
Shop Vanilla Beans
Fresh Extract Grade B Tahitian Vanilla Beans from Late 2022 – 2023 Crop Suistainably Sourced From Indonesian Farmers!
How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract
Ingredients
- 5 grade B vanilla beans
- 1 cup vodka We Like Tito's gluten-free vodka
Instructions
- Wash and sanitize your bottles and lids. Using a sharp pairing knife, slice vanilla beans in half. Scrape out beans using the back of the knife and place inside of a clean 8 ounce jar. Continue with the remaining vanilla beans. Once they have all been scraped, cut beans in half or to fit jar.
- Place cut beans inside the jar and pour in 1 cup of vodka and cover with a tight fitting lid. Let sit at room temperature for at least 6 weeks before use, 8 is ideal! The longer you let it sit, the more flavor it has!
- Storing: Keep your homemade vanilla extract in a cool dry place like your pantry or a cabinet!
Notes
- Make more than one jar at a time so that you never run out! When one jar starts to get low, simply place a few more scraped vanilla beans into the jar, top it off with some vodka, then set it aside while you start on your second jar. You can have a constant rotation of homemade vanilla on hand!
- Keep adding to it… Make sure the vanilla beans are always covered with vodka to avoid mold! You can refill your vanilla extract with more vodka as it runs out, so essentially you’ll always have it!
- We love to have the flecks of vanilla bean in the extract, but if you like it a little cleaner, you can save the beans for another use or strain the extract before you use it.
- Gift them! Make your homemade extract into a cute holiday gift by packaging it up into small jars, adding a cute label, and a tying it up with some ribbon.
Hi All! Kelli here part of the LCK team. Going to answer a few questions for you guys:
1. We use Vanilla Products USA purchased on Amazon. Buy Grade B
2. Almost all extract, whether purchased or not has alcohol in it unless you specifically buy a brand that says alcohol free. If you are avoiding alcohol all together than this might not be for you, but we use this in any recipe, whether cooked or not because it is such a small amount–even yogurt.
That is correct, as the alcohol burns off when heated.
Maybe a dumb question, but assuming this iremains alcoholic and can’t be put in something that isn’t cooked…like yogurt?
The link doesn’t link a specific brand or bean, so that’s why people keep asking, I think.
love this! thinking of making in bulk as holiday gifts. where do you suggest getting the jars?
Thanks!
Amazon, or a store like Michaels!
Which vanilla beans you get?
It’s linked! Grade B!
This is such a creative idea!! 🙂
I just saw the link. Maybe I should ask which ones do you purchase?
Where do you get your vanilla beans?
LOVE the idea of gifting this!