Description
This homemade vanilla extract recipe is a simple and natural way to create rich, flavorful vanilla essence using just vanilla beans and vodka. Perfect for baking and cooking, this extract improves in flavor over time and requires minimal effort and no cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Vanilla Beans
- ½ ounce vanilla beans (about 5-6 beans)
Liquid
- 1 cup vodka
Instructions
- Prepare the Vanilla Beans: Slice down the length of the vanilla beans to expose the seeds and place them in your jar. If the beans are too tall to fit, cut them in half to fit comfortably.
- Add Vodka: Pour the vodka into the jar to cover the beans completely. Depending on your jar size, you might need a little more or less vodka to ensure the beans are submerged.
- Seal and Store: Seal the jar tightly, give it a good shake to mix, and place it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
- Shake Regularly: Shake the bottle 1-2 times per week for 8 weeks. During this time, the vanilla will darken and develop its characteristic fragrant aroma.
- Age to Taste: For a deeper, more robust vanilla flavor, let the extract age for up to a year or longer. Taste periodically and use once the flavor is to your liking.
Notes
- The flavor strength depends on the amount of vanilla beans and aging time; use more beans or age longer for stronger extract.
- Clear vodka is preferred, but bourbon or rum can be used for flavor variation.
- The extract improves with time, so patience yields the best results.
- Use the extract in all recipes requiring vanilla extract, such as cakes, cookies, or custards.
- Store in a tightly sealed jar in a cool, dark place to preserve flavor and quality.
