Making homemade vanilla extract is very easy and needs just two ingredients: vanilla beans and alcohol.
To make homemade vanilla extract, follow these steps:
- Get some good-quality vanilla beans. You’ll find them in health food stores or online.
- Split the vanilla beans in half lengthwise with a sharp knife and scrape out the seeds with the tip of the knife.
- Put the vanilla beans and scraped seeds in a clean, dry glass jar.
- Pour in enough vodka or rum to cover the beans completely.
- Close the jar and shake gently to mix.
- Store the jar in a cool, dark place for at least 8 weeks, shaking it occasionally.
- After 8 weeks, your homemade vanilla extract is ready to use. You can strain out the beans or leave them in the jar for an even stronger flavor.
Now you have your own homemade vanilla extract for your favorite recipes. It’s a great choice if you like natural, high-quality ingredients, and it makes a lovely homemade gift for friends and family who love to bake.