
About This Selfmade Vanilla Extract
This straightforward home made vanilla extract recipe requires simply TWO elements: vanilla bean pods and vodka! The recipe comes collectively nearly effortlessly, too—simply mix the 2 elements in a glass jar, give it a very good shake, and retailer. Over time, the vanilla beans will infuse the vodka to create the extract. You’ll be able to then use the ensuing home made vanilla extract in any baking recipe on Hummingbird Excessive, vanilla flavored or in any other case!
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Components and Substitutions
Now that I’ve satisfied you to make home made vanilla extract, right here’s your purchasing listing for the recipe:
Procuring Listing For Selfmade Vanilla Extract Recipe
And let’s discuss these elements, some potential substitutions, and related purchasing suggestions.
Vanilla Bean Pods
You want 5 vanilla bean pods to make one (6-ounce) bottle of home made vanilla extract.
The Finest Place To Purchase Vanilla Beans
Though you should purchase particular person vanilla bean pods on the grocery retailer, they’re dear as heck! Only one single vanilla bean pod normally prices between $9.99 to $15.99 at your common grocery retailer.
So as a substitute, I like to recommend shopping for vanilla bean pods in bulk from Beanilla.com. Though their costs have gone up just lately (ugh, like in all places else!), you may nonetheless discover fairly good offers. I just lately purchased 10 Madagascar vanilla bean pods for $28.50. That’s $2.85 per vanilla bean pod!
What’s the distinction between Madagascar, Mexican, and Tahitian vanilla?
Right here’s a fast abstract of the variations between Madagascar, Mexican, and Tahitian vanilla:
- Madagascar Vanilla: Most available vanilla extracts and beans use Madagascar vanilla bean pods. It has a creamy, wealthy taste, with refined notes of chocolate.
- Mexican Vanilla: Mexican taste has a refined, woodier taste, with a spicy-sweet character much like clove or nutmeg.
- Tahitian Vanilla: Tahitian vanilla has a fragile floral, fruity taste much like anise and cherry. As a result of Tahitian vanilla may be very inclined to warmth, it’s dearer and prized.
Vodka
You want ¾ cup (6 ounces or 170 grams) to make one (6-ounce) bottle of home made vanilla extract.
The Finest Vodka To Use For Selfmade Vanilla Extract
Actually, there’s no must splurge on high-end vodka. A budget stuff works simply in addition to the costly stuff. Simply you’ll want to keep away from vodkas with synthetic flavors and sugars added—these flavors and sugars will have an effect on the style of your home made extract!
Can I take advantage of one other alcohol moreover vodka?
Sure! You should use any type of alcohol you favor, however vodka works greatest as a result of it’s impartial in taste and can actually make the vanilla beans shine. You can even choose an alcohol with a complimentary taste like bourbon or rum.

How To Make Selfmade Vanilla Extract
Listed below are the essential steps to make home made vanilla extract:
- Prep the vanilla beans. I prefer to slice the vanilla bean pods lengthwise earlier than inserting them within the bottle. Doing so permits vanilla beans to flee out of the pods extra simply and infuse your extract with much more taste!
- Add the vodka and shake. A steel funnel (like one from this set!) will make this course of go by rapidly and simply.
- Retailer at room temperature in a cool, darkish place for at least 8 weeks (however ideally 6 months). You’ll be able to technically use the extract in 8 weeks. Nonetheless, will probably be way more flavorful should you wait a full 6 months!
Finest Recipe Ideas
- For greatest outcomes, retailer your home made vanilla extract in an hermetic glass bottle with a resealable stopper. Don’t use plastic—the alcohol will degrade the plastic extra time and trigger it to leech chemical compounds into your extract.
You should purchase hermetic glass bottles with resealable lids on-line. I like these ones from 5-ounce bottles from Ikea (which is what I used, they usually retailer 6-ounces of liquid comfortably!), in addition to these bigger 8.5-ounce bottles from Amazon.com.
- In case you use a bigger bottle, don’t be afraid to make use of extra alcohol to make extra extract! I like to recommend going as much as 1 cup (8 ounces or 227 grams) of vodka for five vanilla bean pods. Don’t use anymore than that, although—should you use an excessive amount of alcohol, your extract gained’t be as flavorful as mine!
Use Your Selfmade Extract In These Vanilla Recipes on Hummingbird Excessive

Selfmade Vanilla Extract Recipe
yield: 1 (6-ounce) bottle
Components
- 5 vanilla bean pods
- ¾ cup (6 ounces or 170 grams) vodka
Directions
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Prep the vanilla beans. Use the tip of a pointy knife to slice every vanilla bean pod lengthwise. Working one after the other, stuff the pods into the bottle—you might must fold the pods to get them to suit.
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Add the vodka and shake. Use a (ideally steel) funnel to pour the vodka into the bottle filled with vanilla beans. Add extra vodka if mandatory to make sure that the beans are totally submerged. Shake vigorously for 15 to 30 seconds.
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Retailer for at least 8 weeks (however ideally at the very least 6 months) earlier than utilizing. Retailer the extract at room temperature in a cool, darkish place for at least 8 weeks, however at the very least 6 months for optimum taste earlier than utilizing. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds on a weekly foundation.
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Take away the vanilla beans from the vodka after first use. After 6 months, take away the pods utterly after first use. Use as instructed in a recipe. Nonetheless, if utilizing the extract earlier than 6 months, maintain the pods within the bottle and high the extract off with extra vodka—the pods nonetheless have taste which you could extract. Shake and retailer as instructed within the recipe. Solely take away the beans after 6 months has handed. Selfmade vanilla extract with out the pods will retailer within the hermetic glass bottle at room temperature for as much as 3 years.
Notes
- For greatest outcomes, retailer your home made vanilla extract in an hermetic glass bottle with a resealable stopper. Don’t use plastic—the alcohol will degrade the plastic extra time and trigger it to leech chemical compounds into your extract.
You should purchase hermetic glass bottles with resealable lids on-line. I like these ones from 5-ounce bottles from Ikea (which is what I used, they usually retailer 6-ounces of liquid comfortably!), in addition to these bigger 8.5-ounce bottles from Amazon.com.
- In case you use a bigger bottle, don’t be afraid to make use of extra alcohol to make extra extract! I like to recommend going as much as 1 cup (8 ounces or 227 grams) of vodka for five vanilla bean pods. Don’t use anymore than that, although—should you use an excessive amount of alcohol, your extract gained’t be as flavorful as mine!
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