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This easy make your own vanilla extract is such a fun project for anyone to try! Homemade extracts are so easy to make.
Extracts are probably one of the greatest inventions, in my opinion. They are the perfect addition to a baked treat without messing with the texture or composition!
You can purchase so many different types of extracts at the store or online, the possibilities are endless.
If you enjoy baking, you probably go through quit a bit of vanilla. When I’m making cookies for people, I can go through a bottle in just a week or two! It can get pricey when you use that much. Pure vanilla extract can be $3 to $4 at the least. And that is just for a tiny 2 oz bottle!
I decided to start making my own so I can always have a jar on hand, plus the quality of homemade is even better!
Today I wanted to share with you an easy make your own vanilla extract plus a free printable you can use on your jars! These make the cutest little gifts!
Easy Make Your Own Vanilla Extract With Free Printable Labels!
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- Clean and dry an airtight jar. I kept it Texas style with some mason jars, but you can also use an extract jar. Just make sure it is a smaller jar, so the vanilla bean will be immersed with the vodka.
- Cut the vanilla beans in half and place in a jar. I use four beans to make it very strong, but three whole beans will work just as well.
- Depending on the size of your jar, add four ounces of vodka. You want to make sure all the beans are covered completely. If you need to add a little more vodka to cover, that is totally fine too.
- Store in a cool, dark place (like the pantry or cabinet) for two months!
- After that time, you can strain out the beans and use it for baking.
Click below for your free homemade vanilla extract printable!
Chemistry Cachet Printable Extract Labels
What Type of Vanilla Bean is Best?
As far as the vanilla bean quality, I tried to use a decent brand. Vanilla beans can get incredibly expensive depending on where they are harvested from. Did you know that vanilla beans come from a type of Orchid? It also only grows close to the equator, so there really aren’t that many locations a vanilla bean comes from. Typically, the ones you find in the store are from Madagascar or Mexico. Tahiti vanilla beans are also popular. I am not always able to find good vanilla beans in the store, so I like to buy them online.
This Madagascar one and this Tahitian one are both good a good quality and price.
So, will cheap vanilla beans work? The answer is yes. I have made this with cheaper vanilla beans from Mexico, and there won’t be too much of a difference when it is baked. If you are using vanilla for coffee flavoring or something that isn’t baked, definitely go with a higher grade!
What Type of Vodka is Best?
You can really use any kind of vodka that you want, but make sure it has decent quality. If it is weak, the extract won’t be as strong. I wouldn’t waste money on anything expensive for this recipe.
Glass Jar Options for DIY Extracts
You always want to use a glass jar for extracts. Using a clear jar is fine for this extract, but always store it in a cool, darker place. I keep mine in the cabinet or pantry. Light can eventually effect the potency of the extract, so it will last longer if stored properly. I also use dark colored jars if I want to give them as gifts.
How long will this solution last?
How long will this last? A very long time. Once the vanilla beans are strained out, it is essentially just alcohol which keeps forever. Keep in mind though, homemade extracts will not have additional preservatives like store-bought options do. This means the solution can discolor overtime. You might notice it fade in color or scent, but it can still be used.
Is there a way to do extracts without alcohol?
Some have asked, what if you don’t use, or can’t have alcohol? All pure extracts are made with alcohol, and the amount used in baking is very small. You won’t have any alcohol in what you eat. Even using a small amount for coffee or icing, it is an insignificant amount. The only alternative to an extract made with alcohol is imitation vanilla. I have a post on that soon! š
Try out this vanilla extract in these chocolate chip coconut oil cookies, dairy-free coffee cake, the best oatmeal raisin cookies, and it even better with these vanilla glazed donuts!
What About Other Extract Options?
You can make other things besides vanilla extract! Try our popular hazelnut extract or chocolate extract.
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Can you make this extract without alcohol? Love ,mom
All extracts are made from alcohol, even the ones from the store like Mccormick brand. There are other ways to diffuse flavor, but at home this is the easiest way š
I just want to remind everyone that when you cook with alcohol, it is actually cooked out of the food. You can’t get drunk off of it or anything,in other words! I had a home ec. Teacher that let us use beer and wine in class to cook a recipe with chicken and then fish with the wine and beer. If It would have caused us any bad effects, they would not have allowed it!
This is true!
Such a fun idea, I put vanilla in (almost) everything! A coffee date would be so much fun, I’d love to pick your brain about how you brainstorm these fabulous recipes š
Green Fashionista
I do too…vanilla is seriously the best!! I would love to chat with you about blogging & our crazy bulldogs š
YESSS to this! Perfect timing. I was making gluten free/vegan oatmeal cookies yesterday and was convinced I had enough Vanilla (2 TBSPNs)… um no. I barely had 1/2 of one. I had to sub in a mix of rum and almond extract and they came out okkkk, but vanilla would have been way better and it’s always in everything I bake. Can’t wait to try this. š
UGH, I hate when that happens. I have totally had to do that before too. I love making huge batches now so it won’t happen again lol I hope you get to brew some of this up for next time š
Oh I never would have thought to do this!! I didn’t even know you could buy vanilla beans until I saw it in the store the other day!
It is so easy to make! I love how you can buy vanilla beans now…sometimes my store doesn’t have any, but I love the options online now too. So much more affordable than it used to be! Have a great day š
Happy Monday! What a great idea to make your own, especially if you use it frequently! I can just see hubby looking at me, if I were to ask for the vodka bottle without explanation! (We know I can’t have alcohol…) What other extracts can we make? I have access to lots of lemons, and lemon essential oil – do you use the same recipe as for the vanilla?
My husband looked at me the same way. I said to him a few months ago, I need to buy a big bottle of vodka lol. Lemon peels can be used or even orange peels! I am working on some other types right now to see what gives the best flavor. The possibilities are endless!! Thanks Laurie Have a great day!
SO cool! I had no idea you could do this yourself. Vanilla extract is an ingredient I use all the time. Thanks for this post!
It definitely comes in super handy! I hope you get to try it out! Thanks Chrissa have a great day!!!
Ok first, I never knew that extracts were made with alcohol but now that I think about it, it makes sense! And second, this is so easy! Love this idea! I put vanilla in everything!
I do too!! It really is so easy to make. Isn’t that crazy it all comes from a little alcohol?!
Vanilla is one of my very favorites!! So cool how easy some of this stuff is. Thank you!!
It is always so good! It really is so easy to make š
I would have never thought that vodka would be an ingredient to make vanilla extract. I cook a lot but baking is not a strong point of mine but in your case making it homemade sounds very worth it!
It is definitely worth it!! So easy and great to always have some on hand!
Wow, this is such a cool idea!!!!! The toughest part seems like it’d be waiting for a couple months for the beans and vodka to work their magic š
Thank you! That really is the hardest part…waiting! I like to keep batches alternating so I don’t have to wait again š
SO SO Awesome! and i love the printable!
Thanks girl!!! I love this stuff, so easy to make! š
I love vanilla extract and want to make my own – thanks for sharing with Pin worthy Wednesday Alexis
It is great to have on hand. And so easy!
This looks so easy. Question: Do you have to split the vanilla bean down the middle to get the flavor? The storing for two months, is that BEFORE you can use it?
It will definitely increase the flavor concentration fast if it is split and cut, but just being cut in half will also get the flavor out. The alcohol will seep inside the bean and extract it š Yes, it has to store for 2 months before use. The flavor will be fully developed after that š
Thanks for sharing this at Dream Create and Inspire! What a useful recipe and i love vanilla, its a pleasure you stop by..love if you hop over and visit me at http://www.simplenaturedecorblog.com/ just finished my one room challenge.
Its a pleasure again to have you!
Maria
Thanks Maria! It is definitely so useful to have on hand š I will definitely stop by!
Thank you for this recipe:) I am so happy you shared it with me and all of us at TOHOT!
Pinned this keeper.
Jemma
Thanks Jemma! It is so great to have on hand!
That sure sounds nice and easy. I have some vanilla things in the fridge, I should follow your recipe and make some extract.
Kathleen
The Blogger’s Pit Stop
It really is so easy to make! I use it all the time for baking and it has a wonderful flavor!
I’ve never tried making my own vanilla extract before, this is a pretty cool idea as I use it a lot during cooking! and the labels are sweet too! thanks for sharing š
Thanks Charlotte! It really comes in handy when you use it all the time! I have saved so much money (and time) having it on hand like this! I hope you get to make your own soon!! Let me know if you do!
Can it really be this easy?! I had no idea! I use Vanilla Extract like crazy…this recipe would be a benefit for sure! Thank you for linking up at Funtastic Friday!
I know, isn’t that neat! It really is that easy, and turns out wonderful!
This looks great! Thank you for sharing at the Sunday Fitness & Food Link-up š
Thanks Angela!! Have a great day!
What cute labels! I have always wanted to make my own vanilla. Thank you for the recipe. #HomeMattersParty
Thanks Kim!! This is so easy and fun to make š
I am looking at making some homemade vanilla extract to give to my kids at Christmas time as gifts. My sister -in-law made some last year but used vegetable glycerin instead of alcohol (against their religion). It actually tastes quite good. So I am toying with the idea of using glycerin instead.
Vanilla beans can be quite expensive on a tight budget. Can I ask where you get yours? And then you put three beans in one jar? I also heard you can reuse the beans to make some more extract. Have you done that?
Thanks for your comments.
Hi Bob! Those make great Christmas gifts! You can definitely use vegetable glycerin. Some people have a tiny alcohol sensitivity as well, so it is a good replacement. The reason I don’t use it for anything is it’s derived from soy. I try to stay away from soy as much as I can. Most of the store bought extracts like McCormick and most of the organic versions are alcohol derived too. It is totally up to you though on what you use and both will work the same in baking š
I buy my vanilla beans either at my local grocery store in the baking/spice section or online. The ones in my store are Mexican vanilla beans which tend to be cheaper. Two large beans come in a package and it is about $4.00. I cut those in half and use it for one extract. Sometimes my store doesn’t have them so I will buy this brand online. You can purchase a few or in bulk. You can definitely reuse the vanilla beans a few times…but it will be weaker the second time around. It will still have a nice vanilla flavor, but not as potent for baking. For a tight budget, I would buy the cheapest vanilla beans you can find. Cut up two beans in half, place in the jar with the alcohol (or what you prefer). Then steep for a longer time. Better quality vanilla beans will be stronger and don’t need to steep as long, but cheaper ones can get the same flavor if you add a few more weeks onto the steeping time. I hope this helps and let me know if you have additional questions š
I love vanilla Extract! French Vanilla is my all time favorite! How would I make a French Vanilla Extract using your recipe?
Iām not sure how you could do a homemade version, but you can add some hazelnut extract to this homemade one to get that French vanilla taste š you can also try making hazelnut extract with hazelnuts and then adding some
To the vanilla!
I just want to remind everyone that when you cook with alcohol, it is actually cooked out of the food. You can’t get drunk off of it or anything,in other words! I had a home ec. Teacher that let us use beer and wine in class to cook a recipe with chicken and then fish with the wine and beer. If It would have caused us any bad effects, they would not have allowed it!
Awesome! Thank you so much!
Here’s a great tip. Go to your liquor store and purchase those little “airplane” bottles of vodka, put your vanilla beans in there and you not only have the vodka purchased, but your own little bottles to give away as gifts! I used the pretty Grey Goose bottles and my people loved them.
Thanks for sharing!
I prefer everclear as it is nearly pure alcohol. I use it when I make liposomal vitamin C.
You can definitely use it for this, but it will alter the flavor slightly. I would use a little less than what the recipe calls for when you use it for baking