Homemade Vanilla Extract

You Will Need

2 – 3 Whole Vanilla Beans (Approximately 1/2  Ounce)

1 Cup Brandy or Vodka

1 Jar with Tight Lid

Split the vanilla beans lengthwise with a knife, leaving the seeds intact.  Place the vanilla beans in a jar and cover with alcohol.  Cap tightly.  If the beans are very long, you may have to cut them down so they are covered in alcohol.  Shake the jar once a day for approximately four – six weeks.  The mixture will turn a dark brown color and will become stronger in flavor with time.  You may infuse the vanilla beans for as long as you would like but a minimum of four weeks is recommended.  You can also add new vanilla beans to make it stronger and more concentrated.

Once you have the desired strength, strain the extract and remove the beans. Bottle the resulting extract in amber colored bottles.  This is a preferred method of storage but any glass bottles may be used.   This extract will last indefinitely and the flavor will become more pronounced as it ages.  The homemade extract is used exactly the same as commercial extract.

This is very easy to make and very tasty.  I have previously used vodka but I’m now making a new batch with brandy.  If you would like to give it a try, click here for printed instructions.