Do you ever wonder How to Make Vanilla Extract at Home? It’s super easy! All you need are vanilla beans, alcohol (such as Vodka), and a glass bottle. Perfect for personal use or gifting. The recipe includes step-by-step photos and lots of tips.
Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe
I have heard about people making their own vanilla extract at home for quite some time. However, I never thought it was something I needed to make since there are excellent pure vanilla extracts on the market. But when I found myself blowing through a $16 8-ounce bottle of vanilla extract in one frenetic baking week, so I changed my mind.
I was a little skeptical about how good homemade vanilla extract could be compared to commercial brands, but even so, I decided to give it a try. That was a few years ago, and I haven’t looked back since.
After I fell in love with Homemade Vanilla Extract, I bought a big bag of vanilla beans, some cute bottles, and alcohol.
As for alcohol, I like to use Vodka since it’s the one that has the most neutral flavor, but the extract also can be made with bourbon, brandy, or rum. Actually, I made one with bourbon to use only in recipes I want to add that special and unique flavor.
Let’s get started!!!
Why You Should Make Your Own Vanilla Extract
- It’s very cost-efficient
- You can control the strength of its flavor
- No artificial or synthetic ingredients
- Perfect edible gift on a budget
Ingredients & Equipment You’ll Need
- Vanilla Beans: You can find vanilla beans at most major grocery stores in the spice aisle. If you can’t find them, try purchasing them online. I buy mine at Amazon. The vanilla beans can be grade A or B. Grade B vanilla beans are drier and more brittle than grade A, but they’re ideal for extracting since they yield the most flavor. However, you can use grade A if that you have handy.
- Alcohol: Vanilla extract is mostly made from vodka, but you can use bourbon, brandy, or rum instead. I made one with bourbon to use only in recipes I want to add that special and unique flavor.
- Glass Bottles: You can use any glass bottle you want; just make sure they a has a very tight seal.
- Funnel: The funnel is optional but very handy when filling out the bottle. It makes the process quick and easy without spilling any alcohol.
How Many Vanilla Beans Do I Need to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract
The radio is 2 vanilla beans for 2 oz. of alcohol to make a super concentrated vanilla extract (Double-Fold). However, to make a less concentrated extract (Single-Fold), you can use 5-6 vanilla beans per 8 oz of alcohol.
Step By Step Recipe Photo Tutorial
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).
- Split each vanilla bean in half lengthwise.
- Place the vanilla beans in a clean bottle or jar.
- Fill up the bottle with alcohol until the vanilla beans are completely submerged. Cover the bottle and give it a good shake. Infuse for at least 8 weeks, shaking it once per week.
Extra Tips
If necessary, you can chop the beans into smaller pieces to fit in your jar or bottle.
If the bottles are for gifting and have been less than 6 months infusing, I recommend gifting them with the beans in the bottle because there are still lots of flavors there!
As you begin to use your vanilla extract, you can refill with a little vodka each time. After a year of using and refilling, remove old beans, add fresh beans, shake, and continue to use/refill.
How Much Does It Cost to Make Your Own Vanilla Extract
These were my costs to make 6-8oz bottles:
I bought 1 bottle of Vodka (1.75 l)= $18
6 glass bottles = $18 (my bottles are from World Market and Home Goods). These bottles from Walmart will work too.
30 Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla beans = $32.99 (Amazon).
Cost = $11.50 per each bottle (8 oz).
Non-Alcoholic Homemade Vanilla Extract
I haven’t tried this myself, but you can make vanilla extract without alcohol. To do so, use 3 parts vegetable glycerin mixed with one part water. Make sure to buy the one listed as “food-grade.”
To make an 8oz bottle, you’ll need 6 oz (178 ml) vegetable glycerin + 2 oz (60 ml) water.
Perfect Edible Homemade Gift Idea: Homemade Vanilla Extract!
These Homemade Vanilla Extracts are the best homemade gifts you can make on a budget. I can assure you that everyone will LOVE it. Seriously. Who does not use vanilla extract? I recommend starting putting together your vanillas in January, so they will be fully infused for the holidays.
Important Note
Let the vanilla beans infuse for at least 12 weeks, ideally 6 months for a stronger flavor. If giving this as a gift before the infusion process is completed, ask your lucky recipient to let it infuse for XX number of weeks. It is worth the wait!
Free Printable Tag for Homemade Vanilla Extract Bottle
To make them even more special, I created a beautiful printable tag that you can download by clicking the link below. I used some colorful flax cords to tie them to the bottle, and voila… the perfect edible present!
Free Printable
Frequently Asked Questions
Single-fold vanillas are less concentrated. Double-fold vanillas are strong in flavor since they require more vanilla beans.
I recommend waiting at least 6 months. The longer you wait, the more “potent” the extract will be.
You can definitely sterilize them before using them. What I do is run them through a cycle in your dishwasher.
Vanilla extract is mostly made from vodka because it has a neutral flavor, but you can use bourbon, brandy, or rum instead. No need to buy expensive alcohol. The flavor of the vanilla extract will come from the vanilla beans, not the alcohol. As long as you are using 80-proof alcohol, the brand does not matter.
Yes, you can! You can use half vodka and half bourbon, for example.
I recommend 5-6 vanilla beans per 8 oz, so you will need 45 vanilla beans.
Yes, you can, as long as you keep the same ratio: 5-6 vanilla beans per 8 oz of liquor.
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Recipe Card 📖
How to Make Vanilla Extract at Home
Ingredients
- 5 – 6 vanilla beans (I used grade B)
- 8 oz Vodka
Instructions
- Split each vanilla bean in half lengthwise.
- Place the vanilla beans in a clean glass bottle or jar.
- Fill up the bottle with alcohol until the vanilla beans are completely submerged. Close the bottle and give it a good shake. Infuse for at least 12 weeks, shaking it once per week—ideally, let it infuse for 6 months.
- After your vanilla extract has been infused, use it in your favorite recipes. As you begin to use your vanilla extract, you can refill with a little vodka each time. After a year of using and refilling, remove old beans, add fresh beans, shake, and continue to use/refill.
- I recommend starting putting together your vanillas in January, so they will be fully infused for the holidays.
- If necessary, you can chop the beans into smaller pieces to fit in your jar or bottle.
- Let the vanilla beans infuse for at least 8 weeks or even more for a stronger flavor. If giving this as a gift before the infusion process is completed, ask your lucky recipient to let it infuse for XX number of weeks. It is worth the wait!
- If the bottles are for gifting and have been less than 6 months infusing, I recommend gifting them with the beans in the bottle because there are still lots of flavors there!
- As you begin to use your vanilla extract, you can refill with a little vodka each time. After a year of using and refilling, remove old beans, add fresh beans, shake, and continue to use/refill.
Nutrition
Eggless Baking Frequently Asked Questions
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Originally posted in December 2015, the post content was edited to add more helpful information, no change to the recipe in October 2022.
