Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe

Homemade vanilla extract in a flip top decorative bottle.

Make this rich, homemade vanilla extract recipe with just vanilla beans and vodka. Simple, frugal, and perfect for baking and holiday gifts. No special equipment, less than ten minutes hands-on time and the flavor gets better every week. Make a batch for your kitchen and a few extra bottles for simple, heartfelt gifts.

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Steeping Time: 60

Total Time: 60 10

Servings: servings

Calories: 11kcal

Author: Carolyn Thomas

Cost: Varies

Equipment

Mason Jar & Lid
cutting board
sharp knife
Additional Bottles

Ingredients

8 whole vanilla beans
8 ounces alcohol see notes for recommendations

Instructions

Using a sharp knife, split the vanilla beans lengthwise. This lets out the seeds and helps the infusion process.
Chop the vanilla into ½” pieces. This will increase the surface area of the exposed vanilla bean, allowing it to infuse better.
Put the chopped beans into the Mason jar. (Use about 6-8 beans for every 8 ounces of alcohol.)
Pour the alcohol over the beans, making sure they’re fully covered. Then, seal the bottle well.
Store the bottle in a dark, cool storage place. This keeps the extract’s quality and strength.
Shake the bottle once a week to help the infusion process.
Let the vanilla steep for at least two months before using it. The longer it steeps, the stronger the flavor.
If gifting, pour the finished product into bottles, add a whole vanilla bean for aesthetic appeal, cap, and label.

Notes

Tips for the Best Homemade Vanilla Extract:

The ingredients you choose really do affect the flavor of your extract, and it’s helpful to understand the differences in taste and aroma. Use these charts to help you determine which ingredient combinations to use to make your signature extract.

Vanilla Beans:

Choose grade A beans when you can. They’re plump, oily, fragrant, and full of moisture. That moisture is what infuses your extract quickly and richly.

Type	Description
Madagascar Vanilla Beans	Sweet, creamy, classic vanilla flavor. These are the beans most people know and love.
Tahitian Vanilla Beans	Light, floral, a little fruity. These make a soft, delicate vanilla extract that’s wonderful in whipped cream and custards.
Mexican Vanilla Beans	Deep, warm, slightly spicy. These are incredible in chocolate recipes, caramel sauces, and holiday baking.

Alcohol:

You don’t need anything fancy, but you do need something strong enough to extract the vanilla compounds and keep the mixture shelf-stable. Your alcohol must be at least 35 percent ABV. Always choose alcohol without added flavors or sweeteners.

If you feel overwhelmed by choices, just start with vodka. It’s simple and reliable and gives you a beautiful, all-purpose extract.

Topic	Description
Vodka	Neutral flavor; great if you want a clean, pure vanilla extract that works in everything.
Rum	Sweeter, deeper flavor; adds richness; lovely in holiday baking, custards, and chocolate.
Bourbon	Robust and warm: adds depth and a cozy, slightly smoky flavor.

Ways to Use Homemade Vanilla Extract:

Use your extract in:

Homemade Ice Cream - Have you tried our homemade ice cream recipe for an ice cream maker?

Cookies - During the holidays, make fruitcake cookies, or gift a bottle of homemade vanilla extract with this cookie mix in a jar.

Candy - For a lower sugar alternative to cookies, try these chocolate coconut balls.

Brownies - We keep a homemade brownie mix on hand for a quick fix, and make sourdough brownies when we have a little more time. To sneak in some nutrition or for a gluten-free option, we make these healthy black bean brownies.

Sweet Breads - We love gluten-free pumpkin bread, easy rhubarb breakfast cake, and Nantucket cranberry pie.

Cakes - Did you know that veggies can be hidden really well in cakes? Try our zucchini cake with cream cheese frosting, rich chocolate beet cake, or historical chocolate potato cake

Yogurt - The most popular way to flavor this homemade Instant Pot yogurt recipe is with vanilla. It tastes delicious all on its own, or as a topping for sourdough pancakes, this healthy homemade granola, or this nutritious baked oatmeal recipe.

Eggnog - You can add a splash of vanilla to your homemade eggnog if you want more depth of flavor without the alcohol content you’ll find in traditionally aged eggnog.

Whipped Cream - Add a teaspoon of vanilla to your whipped cream before serving it over this homemade pumpkin pie recipe, Great Depression vinegar pie, or this pecan pie made without corn syrup.

Drinks - Vanilla complements a variety of drinks, including coffee, lattes, second-ferment kombucha, and cocktails.

Storage Instructions:

Keeping your homemade vanilla rich and full of flavor is really simple. Light and heat can dull it, so just tuck your jar into a cool, dark cupboard and let it rest.

Be sure you’re using a glass container with a good, tight-fitting lid. Alcohol can break down plastic over time, and you don’t want any of that leaching into your beautiful vanilla.

When stored properly, you can expect your vanilla extract to last a long time. The alcohol preserves it, so it stays good for years and only gets deeper and more flavorful as it ages.

Nutrition

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