Homemade Vanilla Extract
A simple homemade vanilla extract made with vodka and vanilla beans for everyday baking.
Ingredients
- 3 cups Vodka
- 5 vanilla pods
Ingredients you need per step are listed below the step in Italic
Instructions
- Pour about ¼ cup (50 ml) of vodka out of the bottle to make room for the vanilla beans.
- Split the vanilla beans lengthwise with a knife so the inside is exposed, then place them into the bottle, making sure they are fully submerged.3 cups Vodka, 5 vanilla pods
- Close the bottle tightly and store it in a cool, dark place where it won’t be disturbed.
- Turn the bottle upside down once a week and then set it back upright to help the flavor infuse evenly.
- Let the extract sit for at least 3 months, until the color has deepened and the aroma smells strongly of vanilla.
NOTES
1. Do I need to use vodka? Vodka gives the cleanest result because it has a neutral flavor. Other spirits work, but they will change the taste of your extract.
2. How do I get the most flavor? Split the beans before adding them and let the extract sit the full 3 months or longer. The longer it rests, the deeper the flavor becomes.
3. Do I need to shake the bottle? Turning it upside down once a week is enough to keep everything mixed and help the infusion develop evenly.
4. How do I know when it’s ready? The liquid will turn a deep amber color and smell clearly of vanilla instead of alcohol. That’s your sign it’s ready to use.
5. Can I reuse the beans? For the best flavor, start with fresh beans for each batch. Reusing them gives a much weaker extract.
6. Variations
- Make a mint extract by adding 5 sprigs of mint to the vodka.
- Make a cinnamon extract by adding 3 cinnamon sticks to the vodka.
- If you do not want an alcohol-based option, use vanilla sugar or the seeds of a vanilla pod in recipes instead.
Nutrition
Calories: 582kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Iron: 0.02mg
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