Homemade Vanilla Extract is my most favorite gift to make for the holidays. It’s super easy, requires only two ingredients and is always well received by everyone. Plus you can dress it up any way you like with pretty ribbon and accessories! Let me show you how easy it is to make!
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT
This isn’t a new or revolutionary idea by any means. Homemade Vanilla recipes have been around for quite a while, and they’re all pretty much the same. What makes each one unique, however, is the type of vanilla bean you use. And of course this pretty label that you won’t find anywhere else.
I love the idea of giving homemade gifts for Christmas, and this is such an easy one to make!
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WHY MAKE HOMEMADE VANILLA?
If you haven’t noticed, the price of vanilla extract, like everything else right now, has gone up. You could easily spend $10-$20 for a good bottle in the store. By the time you buy all your supplies, you can be making 5-10 bottles for not that much more. You can also control the strength of your vanilla when you make it yourself. The stronger you make it, the more flavorful your recipes will be!
Another great thing about making homemade vanilla is that since you keep the beans in the bottle, you can keep adding more alcohol as you use it. The vanilla flavor will keep being released for many months so rest assured your bottle will last you much longer than a store bought one.
Ingredients for Homemade Vanilla
Vodka (any vodka will do, but I wouldn’t recommend the super cheap stuff)
Vanilla Beans(5-6 per 8 oz. bottle)
Supplies for Homemade Vanilla
Bottles
Funnel
Sharp Knife
One thing to remember about making pure homemade vanilla extract, is that it takes time for the vodka to be fully infused before it’s ready to use. The recommended time is 2 months, but after a month, you can open your bottles and see how strong they smell. If you plan on making these as gifts, just make sure you let your friends and family know when you bottled them, and when the vanilla will be ready.
There are so many different types of beans you can use. I went with these Tahitian Vanilla Beans, and they smell SO good.
You want to make sure that your vanilla beans are Grade B which are meant for extracting and produce the most flavor. Grade A beans are best for cooking with. Grade B are also usually cheaper which is a plus!
STEP 1
Cut your vanilla beans in half length wise. I found it easiest to cut the actual bean in half first, and then slice them down the middle. Make sure you have a good, sharp knife; it will make this step much easier. And watch your fingers!
STEP 2
Place the beans in your bottle once they’re cut and fill up each bottle with vodka. Place the top back on and then shake lightly.
STEP 3
Apply your label! You can either print them out on cardstock and attach them with some super glue or you can get them printed online as a sticker label.
Below are the PDFs that you can print out yourself at home or upload online to order stickers. I’ve included 8 oz. and 4 oz. options!
PRINT 8 oz. VANILLA EXTRACT LABELS HERE
PRINT 4 OZ. VANILLA EXTRACT LABELS HERE
If you want to print them on Avery like I did you can print the single labels below. Follow THIS LINK and under size you can enter 3″ high x 1.5″ wide for 8 oz. and 2.25″ high x 2″ wide. Then choose the Kraft Brown Paper option. Click “start designing” and then upload the PDF below!
SINGLE 8 OZ. VANILLA LABEL
SINGLE 4 OZ. VANILLA LABEL
I finished my homemade vanilla off with a little sprig of a dried flower and this beautiful khaki velvet ribbon! The customization options are endless and the personal touches you add make it even more unique and special!
I look forward to giving away my homemade vanilla extract every year! Nothing beats a handmade gift and these are sure to bring a smile to anyone who receives it!
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FAQs
(2) When the vanilla extract is made in whole or in part by dilution of vanilla oleoresin, concentrated vanilla extract, or concentrated vanilla flavoring, the label shall bear the statement "Made from ______" or "Made in part from ______", the blank being filled in with the name or names "vanilla oleoresin", " ...
What is the best way to make homemade vanilla extract? ›
You only need 2 ingredients for homemade vanilla extract: vanilla beans and vodka. Let the vanilla beans infuse the vodka for as little as 8 weeks, but for optimal flavor, wait at least 6-12 months before using. Homemade vanilla is more cost efficient than store-bought options. You can try homemade vanilla sugar too.
What is the best alcohol to make vanilla extract? ›
Choosing an Alcohol
- Vodka will give you the smoothest, purest, most unadulterated and well-balanced vanilla flavor and is my preference.
- Grain alcohol has more of a bite to it and typically pulls the flavor from the beans faster than vodka. ...
- Bourbon will yield a smooth, warm extract with caramel undertones.
What is the shelf life of my vanilla extract? When stored properly, vanilla extract will keep indefinitely, but using it within five years will allow for best flavor and aroma.
What are the rules for vanilla extract? ›
The standard requires that the total flavoring principles be extracted from the vanilla beans using an aqueous ethyl alcohol solution containing at least 35% alcohol and that the final extract be composed of the vanilla constituents suspended in aqueous ethyl alcoholy.
What are the FDA guidelines for making vanilla extract? ›
Vanilla Recipes
Use this homemade vanilla extract as you would any other commercial variety. The official FDA formula for "Pure Vanilla Extract" calls for 13.35 oz. of vanilla beans per gallon of extract, and not less than 35% alcohol.
Do you scrape the vanilla beans when making vanilla extract? ›
Split 4–6 whole vanilla beans lengthwise with the tip of a sharp knife. Use the dull side of the knife to scrape the seeds (vanilla caviar, if you're feeling fancy) from both sides of the pod, and transfer the vanilla seeds to an airtight container (I use a 16-ounce mason jar).
Is it worth making your own vanilla extract? ›
You'll find that homemade vanilla is less expensive (store-bought vanilla extract can cost $4 an ounce) and more flavorful than store-bought, and it's so EASY to make! It never expires and you'll have plenty to use in cookies, cakes, scones, french toast, and more.
What is the best jar for homemade vanilla extract? ›
Container: You can use any glass container you would like that has a lid. I like to use pint-sized mason jars with plastic lids. Waxed Paper: A piece placed between the lid and the jar helps to keep the extract from leaking when you shake the jar. It also helps to create a better seal.
Is it better to make vanilla extract with rum or vodka? ›
With Vodka, you get the taste of the pure vanilla bean, as the alcohol is completely tasteless. With Rum, you get a very sweet taste and the maximum vanilla taste. With Bourbon, while you do get a wonderfully enhanced vanilla taste, there are specific smoky notes that emanate through the extract.
Since vanilla extract isn't for sipping, but used in concert with other ingredients, the harshness of a higher proof alcohol, such as Everclear, is not usually a problem. Use what you have on hand.
How many times can vanilla beans be used to make vanilla extract? ›
You can use vanilla beans for extract more than once, which makes them a gift that keeps on giving. Just know that the flavor will get weaker over time. Many recommend using them no more than four times.
Should homemade vanilla be stored in a dark bottle? ›
Select a dark glass or amber-colored bottle for your vanilla extract. Light can degrade the quality of the extract by breaking down its aromatic compounds. Dark glass helps to protect the extract from light exposure, preserving its flavor and aroma. Air can also impact the quality of vanilla extract over time.
Why is my homemade vanilla extract not dark? ›
My vanilla extract isn't getting dark. Why? Answer #1: Time. If your beans have only been soaking for a few weeks, just give them more time.
Can homemade vanilla extract get moldy? ›
Finally, at-home extract makers may may notice white fatty-matter appearing on their beans shortly after submersing them in alcohol. It can have the initial appearance of mold, but when you look closely you will see that it is actually the fatty vanillin oils being extracted. They will break down over time.
What are the USDA requirements for vanilla extract? ›
According to FDA guidelines, vanilla extract requires a solution in aqueous ethyl alcohol of the sapid and odorous principles extractable from vanilla beans. The ethyl alcohol content in vanilla extract must be not less than 35 percent by volume.
What is the chemical symbol for vanilla? ›
Vanillin is an organic compound with the molecular formula C8H8O3. It is a phenolic aldehyde. Its functional groups include aldehyde, hydroxyl, and ether. It is the primary component of the extract of the vanilla bean.
What is the E code of vanilla extract? ›
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| Name: | vanilla planiflora extract |
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| CAS Number: | 8047-24-3 |
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