Save money by making your own vanilla extract. You only need alcohol and vanilla beans to easily make homemade vanilla extract.
I bet many of you didn’t even know that you could make your own vanilla extract. You can now stop spending money on those tiny bottles at the grocery store. I got started making my own vanilla extract thanks to Beanilla generously sending me two Vanilla Extract Infusion Extract Kits.
Beanilla’s vanilla extract kit comes with a glass bottle and seven vanilla beans. There are five vanilla bean varieties to choose from: Bourbon-Madagascar, Ugandan, Indian, Indonesian, and Mexican. I choose Madagascar vanilla beans which is the most popular choice. It is great for many baking recipes with its rich and creamy flavor. I also choose the Ugandan vanilla beans for their bold flavor to compliment rich desserts and chocolates. The only thing that isn’t included with the kit is the alcohol.
To get started making vanilla extract, you need to slice each vanilla bean once lengthwise. Then you can cut them into shorter pieces to fit into the bottle easier.
After the vanilla bean pieces are placed in the bottle, pour in one cup of vodka, rum or alcohol of your choice. I choose an inexpensive bottle of vodka to use in my extract.
Once the bottle is sealed, shake once or twice a week. Then it will be ready to use in 8 weeks. Vanilla extract should be stored at room temperature and out of the direct sunlight. As you can see, making your own vanilla extract is very simple to do. Homemade vanilla extract also makes a great inexpensive gift for anyone who likes to bake.
- 7 Beanilla Vanilla Beans
- 1 cup alcohol of choice
- Slice vanilla beans once lengthwise and into shorter pieces.
- Place vanilla bean pieces into a bottle.
- Pour in one cup of vodka, rum or alcohol of choice and seal bottle.
- Shake bottle once or twice a week. The vanilla extract will be ready in 8 weeks.
- Store at room temperature and out of the direct sunlight.