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homemade-vanilla-extract-with-vanilla-beans-in-mason-jar

Make Your Own Homemade Vanilla Extract

Learn how to make rich and flavorful homemade vanilla extract, compared to pricey store-bought imitations, using just two simple ingredients.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 48 teaspoons
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 13
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 vanilla beans
  • 8 oz vodka - 80 proof alcohol

Equipment

  • glass jar with lid - should be able to hold 8 ounces of extract.
  • funnel - optional but comes in handy.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Wash the glass jar with warm soapy water.
  2. Sterilize the jar by placing it into boiling water for a couple of minutes.
  3. Allow to air dry.
Instructions
  1. Carefully split each vanilla bean in half using either a sharp knife or scissors.
    vanilla-beans-for-vanilla-extract-scissors-glass-blue-jar
  2. Place the beans into the glass jar.
    NOTE: Cut the vanilla beans in half if they do not fit in your glass jar.
    opened-mason-jar-with-vanilla-beans-cut-in-half
  3. Pour the vodka over the vanilla beans in the jar, making sure the beans are fully submerged.
    NOTE: Use more alcohol to submerge the beans if needed.
    opened-mason-jar-with-vodka-vanilla-beans
  4. Tightly seal the jar, and turn it up and down a few times to mix the beans and vodka fully.
    small-mason-jar-with-lid-filled-with-vodka-vanilla-beans
Storage
  1. Place the vanilla extract in a cool dark area of your kitchen, away from direct sunlight, for at least 6 months. One year is best for the most flavor.
  2. Every few days, give the extract a shake or two to mix up the beans and alcohol and extract its flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tspCalories: 13kcalCarbohydrates: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSodium: 0.05mgPotassium: 0.05mg

Notes

Recipe Notes
  • Vanilla bean seeds. Because the vanilla beans have been sliced in half, their seeds will get into the glass jar. This is perfectly okay and will only enhance the flavor of the extract.
  • It is also perfectly fine if the seeds get into the baked goods as well.
  • Alcohol. 80-proof alcohol works best when making this vanilla extract, and avoid vodka that has been flavored with artificial flavoring.
  • Sterilizing. Although sterilizing your glass jar is the best practice, it is not absolutely necessary as long as you have thoroughly washed your jar with very hot soapy water. I've made vanilla extract without sterilizing my jar and it worked perfectly fine.
  • Refilling. To keep your vanilla extract from running out, just add more vodka to the beans as you use it. After about a year, change out the vanilla beans to keep the extract's bold strong flavor.
How to Store
  • It is best to store your homemade vanilla extract in a cool dark place away from direct sunlight.
  • The extract should sit for at least six months but is best when it has been extracting its flavor for up to a year. The longer you let it sit, the stronger the flavor will be.
  • A jar of vanilla extract that has not been opened will last for approximately 2-3 years. Do the smell test before using. If it smells good and fresh, you are good to go!
  • Once you've made the vanilla extract, if you remove the beans, your extract should last indefinitely. Once again, always look and smell it before using it. It should smell fresh, and remain uncloudy.

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