Vanilla Extract
Unlock the secret to rich, aromatic flavor with this simple homemade Vanilla Extract recipe—your ultimate DIY pantry staple made with just two ingredients: premium vanilla beans and smooth vodka. With only 10 minutes of preparation, this recipe is a breeze to create, yet delivers gourmet results that elevate your baking, beverages, and desserts. By steeping whole vanilla beans in vodka for a minimum of 8 weeks, you achieve a pure, all-natural extract bursting with sweet, floral notes and deep complexity. Customize the steeping time to suit your flavor intensity preference, and enjoy a homemade extract that improves with age, lasting for years in your pantry. Perfect for avid bakers and gift-giving, this recipe ensures quality and flavor far superior to store-bought alternatives.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 5 whole Vanilla beans
- 1 cup Vodka (at least 70 proof)
Instructions
Prepare your workspace by ensuring all tools and containers are thoroughly cleaned and dried to avoid contamination.
Using a sharp knife, split each vanilla bean lengthwise down the center, leaving about 1 inch at the top intact. This helps release the flavorful seeds inside the bean.
Place the split vanilla beans into a clean glass jar or bottle with an airtight seal.
Pour 1 cup of vodka over the vanilla beans, ensuring that the beans are fully submerged beneath the liquid.
Seal the jar tightly and gently shake it to mix the ingredients.
Store the jar in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry, cupboard, or cabinet.
Allow the vanilla extract to steep for at least 8 weeks for mild flavor or up to 6 months for a rich, concentrated flavor. Shake the jar gently once a week to redistribute the contents.
After the desired steeping time, you can choose to either leave the beans in the jar for ongoing flavor development or strain them out using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth for a clearer extract.
Label your jar or bottle with the date and store it in a cool, dark place for up to several years. The flavor will continue to deepen over time.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
604 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.5 g | 1% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 5 mg | 0% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 2.5 g | 1% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.5 g | 5% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.5 g | ||
| Protein | 0.5 g | 1% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 5 mg | 0% | |
| Iron | 0.5 mg | 3% | |
| Potassium | 30 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
