Homemade Vanilla Extract

Homemade vanilla extract made with fresh vanilla beans. Easy to make with only two ingredients and perfect to give as gifts!

Making your own homemade vanilla extract is so so easy! It only uses fresh vanilla beans and any kind of forty proof liquor. Vodka is the preferred liquor to use since it has no flavor, thus allowing the vanilla flavor to take over the whole thing. 

However, I have used other liquors and they turn out amazing! They just bring a little different flavor to the extract. I have used peach brandy (my favorite!), spiced rum, and also whiskey. If you want to stay traditional, use vodka that doesn’t have any flavor to it. If you feel like experimenting try one of the ones mentioned above!

Be sure to check out some more of my homemade spices and sauces!

Homemade Taco Seasoning: Easy homemade taco seasoning made with simple spices. Made in minutes and ready to use for all your taco and Tex Mex dinner nights. 

Creamy Chipotle Sauce: A creamy blend of mayo, cilantro, honey, chipotle pepper, and lime juice. Perfect topper for pork tacos, burgers, and chicken!

Homemade French Dressing: A sweet and tangy homemade French dressing. Made with simple pantry ingredients that come together in minutes. 

Blender Salsa: A delicious blender salsa that is done in 5 minutes. Fresh tomatoes make it taste like it’s from your favorite restaurant! 

Homemade Guacamole: Smooth and creamy homemade guacamole that tastes better than store bought!  So easy to make with just a few simple ingredients!

Romanian Garlic Dill Pickles: Classic Romanian pickles flavored with banana hot peppers, garlic, and dill. Crunchy and delicious with a spicy kick!

Horseradish Cocktail Sauce: A perfect blend of sauces and spices to make a delicious horseradish cocktail sauce. Fresh, easy, and perfect for shrimp cocktail.

What kind of liquor should I use? 

Like I mentioned above, if you want a true vanilla extract, use unflavored vodka. This allows for the vanilla bean to infuse all its flavor alone. Any kind of 40 proof liquor will work too though, but you will get a different flavor of vanilla extract depending on the type of liquor. 

How long does it take to infuse the vanilla flavor. 

In order for the vanilla bean to infuse flavor it takes at least 8 weeks at the earliest! If you have the time, anywhere from 6 months to 12 months is ideal to allow the best flavor. 

What kind of vanilla beans for vanilla extract?

I always use Madagascar vanilla beans. They seem to have the most flavor for vanilla extract. I cut them in half and then make a little slit long ways in each one to allow the juices to escape. I put two halves in each four ounce bottle that I make. I get my vanilla beans and bottles off of Amazon. 

Ingredients for Homemade Vanilla Extract

10 Madagascar Vanilla Beans

40 ounces Vodka

10 4 ounce bottles with lids

How to make Homemade Vanilla Extract

Slice each vanilla bean in half. I do this so that they fit in my jars which are on the short side.

Next slice a slit long wise in each bean. This allows the flavor to seep out into the liquid.

Make sure to clean out the bottles with warm water and soap before using. Dry the bottles, then add 2 halves of vanilla bean to each bottle. (so one long bean goes in each bottle, but it is cut in half)

Next, using either a cup with a pour spout or a funnel, pour the vodka or other liquor into each bottle.

Each of my bottles holds about 4 ounces.

Then take the caps and seal up the bottles. Just screw them on so they are nice and snug.

Now all you have to do is store them in a cool, dark space and wait the 8 weeks to use them.

For best results, wait up to 6 months to use.

I made up these cute labels to put on each one! These are perfect to give as gifts too!

You can find the FREE printable labels down below, I just printed mine on sticker paper and then cut to size.

Download the cute labels here!

Recipes to use your Homemade Vanilla Extract!

Bakery Style Peanut Butter Cookies: Bakery style peanut butter cookies that are soft and moist with a chewy center. Easy, fast to make, and turn out perfect every time.

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls: Perfectly soft and chewy homemade cinnamon rolls.  A breakfast treat filled with cinnamon swirl and topped with cream cheese frosting.

Sugar Cookies “Cut out Cookies”: Soft sugar cookies with a secret ingredient! So delicious and can be shaped and decorated for any theme or holiday!

French Toast Casserole: A French Toast casserole that is baked with a pecan and brown sugar topping. Made the night before, then baked in the morning for an easy breakfast casserole. 

Vanilla Cupcakes: Moist vanilla cupcakes that are topped with a buttercream frosting. These are so easy to make from scratch using simple ingredients. 

Apple Pie Bars: Homemade apple pie bars, all done in a sheet pan. Made with apples, cinnamon, and a flaky pie crust, this will feed the whole family!

Banana Nut Bread: Sweet and super moist homemade banana nut bread. A simple and easy old fashioned recipe, with only 8 ingredients!

Banana Applesauce Muffins: Easy Banana Applesauce Muffins that bake in 20 minutes. Made without oil or butter, these muffins make a perfect healthy snack or breakfast treat. 

Romanian Crepes: Romanian crepes are a quick and easy breakfast favorite! With only 6 ingredients, this is a budget friendly breakfast dish.

Strawberry Bundt Cake: Strawberry bundt cake filled with fresh strawberries and drizzled with icing. An easy and delicious dessert!

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies: Soft and chewy oatmeal peanut butter cookies made without flour.  Super quick and easy dessert the whole family will love!

Blueberry Coffee Cake: Soft and moist blueberry coffee cake drizzled with vanilla icing. Delicious breakfast or dessert treat that everyone will love!

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