Homemade Vanilla Extract

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Did you know you can make your own vanilla extract? It is literally two ingredients. You are probably asking, why would you want to? So besides the fact that homemade is always better, real vanilla extract is expensive! And you just get an itty bitty amount. You might say that there is the fake stuff .... imitation vanilla extract.... that’s cheap. Well.... I was listening to the radio one day and they mention what imitation vanilla extract was made from.... “secretions from a beaver's castor glands (located conveniently near its anus)“!!!!!!!! Ok now I have never been able to get that out of my head. Does that weird out anyone else? So if that isn’t enough motivation for you, how about the fact that we can’t pronounce the majority of the ingredients on labels of our food? Here is just one little way to be a bit more wholesome. And when it is this simple? Why not!

What you need:

• 8 oz Vodka 80 proof - now you can choose any vodka, we had a brand leftover that we don’t usually drink, so this was a great way to use it up. You can also experiment with different alcohols, but vodka is the traditional choice.
• 5-6 Vanilla beans - when searching, grade B beans are for extract purposes. You can buy them in most supermarkets but they are expensive! These are the beans I used Vanilla Beans. They were really a quality bean.
• A glass jar with a tight sealing top - these Hinge Top Bottles are great and would be wonderful for gifting

How to make it

• add the beans to the jar
• Pour the vodka over the beans and make sure the beans are fully submerged
• Store the jar out in a spot out of direct sunlight
• Give it a little shake once each week
• Now wait for at least 8 weeks but 6-12 months would be better.
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​I know that is crazy long but this stuff will last you forever! You can take out the vanilla beans to use the seeds in baking and refresh the beans in your jar and top off the vodka for a never ending supply of vanilla extract. Wouldn’t this make an excellent Christmas gift for the baker in your life? You can easily double this recipe to make a bigger batch. My picture is from about a week after I started the process. I will post updates when it is finished brewing!