Making your own vanilla extract couldn’t be easier! The only things you need are a couple of ingredients, a jar or a bottle with a lid and some time. Other than that, it literally makes itself. Homemade Vanilla Extract is not only a great thing to have in your cupboard – it also makes a really charming gift, especially for people who love to bake!
The great thing about making your own vanilla extract is that you can get two batches of extract out of a set of 5 vanilla pods. You can use the bottle with the pods in it and then refill it once it’s empty. Alternatively, once the extraction period is over, you can pour it off into another bottle or jar and refill the old one to get a new batch started while you’re using the other. Once the pods have been used twice for extract they can’t be used again in this way, but you can still stick them into a jar of sugar to make vanilla sugar, so you’re getting the most possible bang for your buck. Let’s face it – vanilla pods can be quite expensive, so it’s a great idea to get as much out of them as you possibly can. It’s also worth noting that vanilla pods can also be much cheaper if you buy more of them. I usually look online for bulk buys to save myself some money. Souschef.co.uk is a great place to start if you’re here in the UK.
The vodka you use is strictly up to you. I sometimes make vanilla extract with leftover vodka after a party or something to make good use of it. It can be cheap, expensive or anything in between – you will mostly only ever use your extract for baking or cooking, so the price tag on the vodka doesn’t matter at all. Let’s get started!
Ingredients
- 5 whole vanilla pods
- 250ml vodka
Method
- Stick the whole vanilla pods into a jar or bottle that holds at least 250ml of liquid. Pour in the vodka over the pods.
- Put the lid on your container and leave it to develop for 2 to 3 months.
- You’ll know your extract is ready to use when it turns brown and smells very fragrant. Keep it in your cupboard and use it wherever you would normally use vanilla extract from a shop or give it away as a gift. Either way, it’s a real treat to enjoy the satisfaction of making something yourself!
Use your homemade vanilla extract in my Chewy Chocolate & Peanut Butter Chip Cookies!
