In this article I'm going to show you how to make your own Vanilla Extract
As we know, vanilla extract is expensive at the grocery store, you can make it a lot cheaper at home. Some store bough brands aren't even made with real vanilla!
It's super easy, only two ingredients, and it won't take you any time at all to make. You have to wait a long time, but it is worth the wait once you've made it yourself.
You can use bourbon, rum or vodka. Vodka is my favorite spirit to use to make my vanilla extract. My favorite two brands are either Grey Goose Vodka or the organic brand Topo.
What you want to do is have your jars sanitized and ready to go. I also use my kitchen scale to weigh my beans. Let's go ahead and get started.
My Vanilla Extract Recipe
Materials
Sanitized jars of your choice
8 oz of spirits of your choice
1 oz of vanilla beans or approximately 6 beans
Small food scale (optional)
Step 1:
Cut your vanilla beans into small 1/2 inch pieces because then you get more surface area and it tends to extract a little faster.
Step 2:
Add your cut beans to 8 oz of your spirits of choice
Step 3:
Store in a dark cupboard for 1 year and rotate every few weeks. You can use after three months of storage but it will get more bold and richer and extract more flavors if you wait longer.
*you always want to use a spirit between 70-100 proof. If you use a higher proof alcohol then your beans will dry out and you will not get a full quality extract.
Its Worth The Wait
You can use it after about three months, but to get the full extract, 12 months is recommended. Its is a long wait, but it is worth it!
Make sure you write down the date and type of vodka and beans used on your lid so you can replicate your recipe in the future.
If you'd like more help with your recipes you can click here to subscribe to my email list and if you'd like to learn more about Sunshine State Vanilla and getting your own Vanilla plants click here.
