How to Make Vanilla Extract
With only two ingredients, and a simple mix-and-wait process, this is one of the easiest recipes you may ever try. You and your whole house will smell like vanilla, and you might save money.
Servings 2 cups
Ingredients
- 1 package of grade B Madagascar vanilla beans 10 beans
- 2 cups of vodka gluten-free if needed
Instructions
- Don't open the package of beans until you are ready to use them, as they deteriorate when exposed to air. See note.
- Use scissors to cut the vanilla beans into ½-inch sections.
- Transfer the cut beans to a clean jar.
- Pour the vodka over the beans and cover the jar tightly.
- Place in a dark spot for two months or more.
- Swirl the liquid in the jar every day or two, then replace in the dark.
- At the end of the waiting time, strain the vanilla bean sections out of the vanilla extract. Store the extract in a tightly capped brown glass bottle.
Notes
When you cut the package open and handle the beans, your hands will smell like vanilla afterward and your fingers will be coated with vanilla seeds. If strong smells bother you, consider using protective gloves when you are working with them, so that the smell doesn't remain on your skin.