Homemade Vanilla Extract

_{Written by Courtney at thecornycorner.com}

Looking to make homemade vanilla extract? It’s the perfect thoughtful gift for any occasion!
It only takes 2 ingredients and is incredibly easy to make. The only downfall is, it does take 6-12 months to properly curate. It does also need to be stored in a dark/cool place. I have personally taken it out and used it after 4 months of curing but longer is certainly recommended.

The most common alcohols I have seen used to make Vanilla Extract is Vodka and EverClear. I personally use Vodka (you can also use bourbon or rum for a nice little twist).

Packaging – You need an airtight glass container for the best results. If you are gifting, you can find some really cute air tight bottle type jars on Amazon.

Sealing & Storing – Bottles or containers need to be air tight and vanilla beans need to be completely submerged into the vodka. When it comes to storing, it needs to be a dark controlled environment. I typically place my bottles in a box inside of my pantry closet, checking on them, giving them a little topsy turby shake and placing them back to set for 6 -12 months. In some emergencies, I have used them as early as 4 months but the longer they sit, the better the flavor.

Side Note: It takes roughly 6-8 Vanilla Beans per 1 cup of Vodka. If you are looking for a richer Vanilla flavor you can certainly add more vanilla beans. As always, do whatever makes you happy ! I am just here as a helping/guiding hand. There are a few different ways to make Vanilla Extract but this is how I have been making it my whole life. As a kid, I remember my grandma burying the jars in the garden and we would go back and dig them up months later!

_{This post may contain affiliate links where I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. All affiliate links and commissions I may receive help me to keep this site running. I do only recommend products I would personally use.
As always, anything I post on here is what works best for myself and my family. Please ensure you make any accommodations needed for yours!}

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Homemade Vanilla Extract

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Ingredients:

1 Cup of Vodka
6-8 Vanilla Beans

Directions:
Prepare the Beans: Slice the vanilla beans lengthwise with a sharp knife to expose the tiny seeds inside. You can also cut them into smaller pieces if they don’t fit in your jar.

Combine Ingredients: Place the vanilla beans in a clean, airtight glass jar or bottle. Pour the alcohol over the beans, making sure they are fully submerged.

Seal and Store: Seal the jar tightly and store it in a dark, cool place. Let it sit for at least 8 weeks, shaking it gently every few days to help the flavor develop.

Strain and Bottle (optional): After the extract has reached your desired strength, you can strain out the vanilla beans if you prefer a clearer extract. Otherwise, you can leave them in.

Notes:

• Be Patient: The longer it sits, the richer the flavor will become. Ideally, let it infuse for 6 months to a year.
  If you want a stronger extract, you can use more vanilla beans or let it steep for longer.