Making Homemade Pure Vanilla Extract
My Pure Vanilla Extract was getting low and with the holidays just around the corner I had to get busy and make more. Making it is the easiest thing you can do. I ordered a bunch of vanilla beans on line to get started.
I strained what was left in my pure vanilla bottle. Discarded the vanilla beans inside and washed the bottle. I poured my existing vanilla extract back into the bottle. Next I sliced all of the vanilla beans in half exposing the fragrant seeds inside. I put all of the prepared vanilla beans inside the bottle.
Once all of the new fresh beans were inside the bottle I poured vodka into the bottle to the top. Are you surprised pure vanilla extract is made with alcohol? Rum can be used as well, however, I prefer the flavor with vodka.
Place the cap on the bottle and store in a brown paper bag in a cool, dark place. The bottle needs to be shook about once a week or whenever you can. It will be ready to use once it turns really dark. I try to store mine for 3 months but the longer the better flavor you will get.
Here is my original post with a printable recipe card for making PURE VANILLA EXTRACT.
http://www.InDianesKitchen.com
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Categories: Vanilla Extract
Fascinating
So much cheaper than purchasing it and a fun process to watch as well.
I make mine with vodka too
I have never tried it with rum, if it tastes great with vodka why change right?
Exactly
What a wonderful idea. Where did you buy the vanilla beans? They are so expensive.
I ordered them through Amazon for the first time ever. The price was so much cheaper but maybe it was a good year for growing the beans! I bought 25 Grade A plus beans for $18 and put them all in the bottle! I used to only use 10-15 vanilla beans because they were so expensive. These beans were fresh, oily and so fragnant!
Thanks for the tip.
You’re welcome! I don’t think there’s anything Amazon doesn’t have.
You’re welcome!
wow, I had no idea!
I have made this for years. The only thing difficult is waiting until it’s ready.
It’s something I’ve been threatening to make myself for a long time now, but I’ve just never gotten around to it. Vodka? Now, there’s something I didn’t know! Thanks Diane, I’m going to look for vanilla beans now … fortunately, I have vodka!
I use vanilla extract a lot so I make a vodka size bottle of it. Plus, it never goes bad because of the vodka. This time I used more vanilla beans than I ever have so I’m hoping it will be ready for my Christmas cookies.
Christmas cookies? My word, you’re right Diane … it’s starting to become that time of the year again!
The holidays creep up on us so fast!
It’s great to have in the cupboard isn’t it, Diane? Such a simple but delicious project.
I make my vanilla every year in June and give it away at Christmastime. Everyone looks forward to it, and I always make extra in a big canning jar. My hint: when you take those vanilla beans out of the empty bottle, let them dry and tuck them in a canister of sugar. They still have lots of flavor in them, and will scent the sugar for many uses. You know me, Yankee thrift!
That’s a great idea Dorothy. I have heard of doing that before but never tried it, thank you for the reminder!
This is a great tip. I have a whole bunch of vanilla beans and wasn’t sure how to store them. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome!
Excellent! Thanks for the recipe!
You are very welcome!
Interesting Diane – so pure vanilla would have a “proof” just like alcohol then – I had no idea. But I recently mentioned to you going to Mexico on two trips (one Acapulco and one to Tijuana) and bringing home my mom and her friend/neighbor bottles of pure vanilla and I think, come to think of it, they may have been purchased in a liquor store. Some of the people in our tour group wanted to buy tequila with the worm in the bottle.
I’m sure the pure vanilla you bought was so much cheaper. I remember when my kids were in high school and kids were taking their parents alcohol, they said hide it so they can’t find it. So the next thing was hide cough medicine and vanilla extract! That was the first time I knew it was made with alcohol.
Interesting – I didn’t know that … I do remember the pharmacy having a sign up about cough medicines and only adults could buy them. I think kids were buying “Cheracol” if I remember correctly. It’s been a while. This might have been after I was a teenager. I led a sheltered life. 🙂
This is on my wish list to make from scratch one day. So so good!
And love seeing your new kitchen in the photos. You must be thrilled with it.
Super easy to make and worth it! OMG all I want to do is cook! Having all this counter space makes it so fun. Still haven’t heard from contractor to finish the ceiling, molding under cabinets and painting. We don’t mind because the kitchen is fully functionable. He will get back when he’s free from the other two jobs.
It will get done, especially as summer winds down. 🙏 Glad you can function fully in the meantime.
I have made it exactly the same way too. 🙂
It’s the best 💕
It is very good indeed. 🙂