Homemade Vanilla Extract

Homemade vanilla extract was one of those things I spent years intending to make and never got around to doing. Plus, I’m not a huge baker – how would I ever use all of it? Turns out, I’m not the only one who has it on their long list of to-dos. This makes a perfect gift for any holiday! 

Short on time? Put it all together and gift it with a note that says “Use in Six Months”. A jelly jar with a cute burlap ribbon is all you need for a sweet homemade gift. This homemade vanilla extract is a great addition to your kitchen in your step towards cleaning up ingredients, making things yourself, and taking one more step toward self-sufficiency. 

Snag these vanilla beans from Amazon. This 10 pack of Tahitian Vanilla Beans will get you through a batch of this recipe, with a few to spare. Dust off that bottle of rum you’ve never cracked open and you have everything you need. This recipe is so simple, you’ll wonder why you hadn’t tried it sooner. Trust me – you’ll be amazed at the difference!

How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract

How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract

Yield: 750ml+
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Additional Time: 6 months
Total Time: 6 months 5 minutes

Delicious homemade vanilla extract. No fillers. Great for gifts or to hold onto for unlimited baking needs.

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle of white rum or vodka, 750 ml
  • 8 vanilla beans

Instructions

  1. Cut beans in half, lengthwise
  2. Add 8 beans to the bottle, or add beans and alcohol to your own glass jar
  3. Let sit out of direct sunlight for six months.
  4. Pour off 50% of the alcohol in a jar to use, refill, and reset the six month clock for even more extract.
  5. Refill 2-3x max.