How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract with 2 Ingredients
You can’t beat the flavor of homemade vanilla extract, and you won’t find a DIY recipe that is easier than this. All you need is a glass bottle, vanilla beans, vodka, and time. In a few months, you will have the perfect handcrafted addition for all your baking needs.
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Vanilla extract is a staple in our home. It’s a key ingredient that I use for baking our family’s favorite desserts. I use it to flavor homemade ice cream and coffee creamer too. Use the links provided to check out my tasty, vanilla-laden goat milk recipes!
Why Make Your Own Vanilla Extract?
You cant beat the flavor of homemade vanilla extract; there’s just something about homemade that hits differently. Maybe it’s the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly what’s in your food.
You can buy vanilla extract at the store, but it’s so easy to make that you might as well make your own and save a little bit of money in the process. Let me show you how!
Materials Needed for Making Homemade Vanilla Extract
You can make this recipe right in a 16-ounce glass bottle. Use a cutting board and knife to slice the vanilla beans in half at the seam to expose the seeds and pod to the alcohol. I cut my vanilla beans in half again so they were shorter and fit better in my bottle.
Ingredients for Making Homemade Vanilla Extract
- 8 vanilla beans
- 2 cups of vodka
This recipe is super simple, all you need are just two ingredients! No sweeteners or artificial flavors. I use organic Madagascar vanilla beans and Tito’s vodka which is 40% ABV or 80-proof.
Directions for Making Homemade Vanilla Extract
- Use a cutting board and knife to slice eight vanilla beans in half at the seam (long ways). Cut them in half again (short ways) if they are too tall for your bottle.
- Place the cut beans and seeds into a clean 16-ounce glass bottle.
- Add two cups of vodka to the bottle, making sure all the beans are completely covered.
- Affix the lid and give the bottle a good shake.
- Use a marker to date the bottle so you don’t forget when it was made.
- Now, we wait. Let the bottle steep in a dark place at room temperature for at least 3 months. I keep my steeping bottle in my pantry. You can take it out and shake it once a week to help speed up the extraction process.
- After three months have passed, you can use your vanilla extract! It should be dark brown in color and have a rich vanilla scent.
Using Your Homemade Vanilla Extract
You can use a fine mesh strainer to filter out the beans and seeds from the vanilla extract if you so desire. Or it can be a gift that keeps on giving, I leave the old vanilla beans and seeds in my bottle and top it off with more vodka several times before starting over with a fresh batch.
Substitute your homemade vanilla extract for pure vanilla extract or imitation vanilla in any recipe for cooking or baking.
Did you know vanilla extract can be used as a mosquito repellent too? It’s the secret ingredient in my all-natural, homemade bug spray! For my recipe, click here.
If stored properly, homemade vanilla extract does not go bad. The alcohol acts as a preservative and it should be safe to use for several years. If it smells off or you notice any signs of contamination, it should be discarded.
