All you need is just 2 ingredients to make Vanilla Extract at home. Vanilla Extract is a handy ingredient to flavor milk, desserts, sweets and cakes. Homemade Vanilla Extract is made by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol and soaking it for minimum 2 months. It is so much easy and cost effective to make at home. Learn to make Homemade Vanilla Extract with step by step pictures and video.
Vanilla Extract is quick and easy to make at home. Homemade Vanilla Extract needs just 2 ingredients : vanilla beans and alcohol. Homemade Vanilla Extract is very cost effective and good when compared to store bought ones.
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About Vanilla Extract
Vanilla Extract also known as Vanilla Essence or Vanilla Syrup is one of the main flavoring ingredient in baking. Homemade Vanilla Extract is very easy and quick to make. Just pour alcohol over split vanilla beans and let the concoction age over time. It takes at least 8 weeks for it to get ready. Give it a shake every now and then. Homemade Vanilla Extract keeps fresh good for years.
You will need good quality vanilla beans and it took me sometime to hunt for it and finally found it online. The alcohol or liquor you you either use rum or brandy or vodka. I used vodka and its going to be almost a month and the flavor is so good now itself, the more you give resting time the more you the flavor you will get.
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The vanilla beans continue to flavor the liquid it is submerged in and the alcohol acts as a preservative. Actually you can add the vanilla bean as such too but I cut it into pieces so that it gets fully submerged inside the liquid.
Learning How to make Vanilla Extract is quite simple and easy as it needs only 2 ingredients and just few minutes to combine both. Homemade Vanilla Extract makes all the baked goodies taste incredible.
Homemade Vanilla Syrup saves money, easily re-fillable and also makes a great Christmas gift.
Homemade Vanilla Extract Video
What you need?
- Glass jars or Glass Bottles with a tight lid
- Vanilla Beans
- Vodka
- Sharp knife
- Kitchen scissors
Vanilla Extract Ingredients
- Vanilla Beans – Buy good quality vanilla beans. Vanilla beans graded as ‘B’ are mainly used for making vanilla extract.
- Vodka – Vodka is most commonly used to make vanilla extract but you can also use bourbon, rum or brandy too. Do not buy flavored alcohol.
Why Homemade Vanilla Extract?
You can get vanilla extract readily and easily in supermarkets but homemade vanilla extract is not only cost effective but the strength of flavor is totally controlled by you. Many store bought vanilla essence does not give the needed depth of flavor.
Source good vanilla beans and add alcohol to it and let it do the rest. After you make your homemade vanilla extract I am sure you will not buy store bought ones. Try just opening a bottle of store bought vanilla essence and homemade vanilla extract and see the difference for yourself.
How to store Vanilla extract?
Store your homemade vanilla extract in cool place. Keep it out of reach from direct sunlight.
Always use sterilized glass jars with a tight seal. Shake the bottle once a week then keep it. The only thing about Homemade Vanilla is that it takes time – you will need to wait at least for 7-8 weeks for it to get fully done.
You can make some today and it will be ready in 2 months. You can continue to add alcohol to the bottle as you use it. Check out tips section for more detailed explanation.
How to make Vanilla Extract Step by Step
1.Get the ingredients ready. Source vanilla bean first, make sure to buy good quality vanilla bean for best results. I used 6 vanilla beans for 1 cup vodka. 4 to 6 vanilla beans will be good for 1 cup vodka. It depends on the size and quality of vanilla beans too.
2.First slit open the vanilla bean. Repeat to finish for all the 6 beans.
3.Cut into half, I cut the long ones alone just to fit into my jar. If your jar is tall then no need to cut.
4.Make sure you use a clean dry glass bottle. Add the vanilla beans to the bottle first.
5.Measure and keep the vodka ready. Place a funnel over the glass jar. Add 1 cup vodka to the bottle through the funnel.
6.Close tightly with a lid.
7.Shake the bottle rigorously. Set aside for 2 months minimum. Shake it at least once a week. It takes at least 8 weeks for the flavor and color to get steeped in fully. The more time you keep the flavor is good. It takes time to rest to develop flavor so don’t be in a hurry- the longer it rests the deeper color you can see.
8.Homemade Vanilla Extract is ready to use! You can add in more vodka once you use it up.
Store it in a cool dry place.
Homemade Vanilla Extract is ready to use for all your baking needs.
Expert Tips
- Always use good quality vanilla beans, Grade B vanilla beans is best for making vanilla extract.
- Sterilize the bottle well before adding vanilla extract to the bottle.
- For 1 cup vodka 4-6 vanilla beans will be good. If you vanilla beans are fat and has more pulp then 4 itself would be enough.
- Add vodka more when it is all used up. You can refill it till the vanilla beans is out of flavor.
- Avoid flavored vodka as they might be loaded with artificial flavors.
Serving and Storage
You can store vanilla extract in room temperature for years. Use it for your baked goodies or other recipes and enjoy. Once the extract is used up refill with vodka again, soak and your homemade vanilla extract is ready!
FAQS
1.What type of vanilla beans should I use?
Use good quality vanilla beans for best results. Grade B vanilla beans are best suited to make vanilla extract also less expensive when compared to Grade A.
2.What can I replace vodka with?
You can either use rum or brandy or bourbon replacing vodka.
If you have any more questions about this Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube and Twitter .
Tried this Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe ? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.
📖 Recipe Card
Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 vanilla beans
- 1 cup vodka
Instructions
- Get the ingredients ready. Source vanilla bean first, make sure to buy good quality vanilla bean for best results. I used 6 vanilla beans for 1 cup vodka. 4 to 6 vanilla beans will be good for 1 cup vodka. It depends on the size and quality of vanilla beans too.
- First slit open the vanilla bean. Repeat to finish for all the 6 beans.
- Cut into half, I cut the long ones alone just to fit into my jar. If your jar is tall then no need to cut.
- Make sure you use a clean dry glass bottle. Add the vanilla beans to the bottle first.
- Measure and keep the vodka ready. Place a funnel over the glass jar. Add 1 cup vodka to the bottle through the funnel.
- Close tightly with a lid.
- Shake the bottle rigorously. Set aside for 2 months minimum. Shake it at least once a week. It takes at least 8 weeks for the flavor and color to get steeped in fully. The more time you keep the flavor is good. It takes time to rest to develop flavor so don’t be in a hurry- the longer it rests the deeper color you can see.
- Homemade Vanilla Extract is ready to use! You can add in more vodka once you use it up.
- Store it in a cool dry place.
Abi
Can this be used in milkshakes?
Sharmilee J
yes you can