How to Make Vanilla Extract at Home - Just 2 Ingredients! - Chenée Today (2024)

This post is a long time coming! I'm so glad to share it with you, because for me, one of the most important kitchen secrets is how to make vanilla extract yourself at home. Homemade vanilla extract really is a game changer for baked goods and other sweets, and it will make all the difference in your dishes and bakes. In short, if you love to bake, you should definitely be making your own vanilla extract!

When you think of how to make vanilla extract yourself, you might think it's too time consuming, expensive, and complicated. But in reality, it's quite the opposite! Homemade vanilla extract is quick, simple, and can save you lots of money! But my main reason for making my own vanilla is the taste! Store-bought vanilla can't compare to the deep, rich vanilla flavor that this homemade vanilla extract recipe will give you. And while it does take some time for the flavor to develop, the longer it sits, the more vanilla flavor you'll get!

That said, this is definitely a recipe you want to start well in advance, since it can take months for the flavor to fully develop. Once you've mastered how to make vanilla extract, I'd recommend starting the process in the spring so that you have lots of delicious vanilla ready to go in the fall baking season AND for holiday gift giving!

What You'll Need

Before we learn how to make vanilla extract, we need to know what we'll need! And it only takes two ingredients!

• vanilla beans - you'll need Grade B vanilla bean pods, which are also known as "extract beans". You'll see Grade A as well, but Grade A vanilla is more for baking with the bean pod, like if you were scraping out the beans to add directly to a recipe. Grade B beans have less moisture and are sometimes brittle, so they're not great to cook with. But they're perfect for making homemade vanilla extract, since we'll be drawing the vanilla flavor out over time!
• vodka or bourbon - some recipes detailing how to make vanilla extract call for vodka as the alcohol that literally extracts the vanilla flavor from the pods. Vodka is a great option, since it has a neutral flavor and is easy to find. And if you can get your hands on 100-proof vodka, that will work even better! But my favorite method for how to make vanilla extract is to use bourbon. It adds a bit of a flavor boost to the finished product that really shines through in everything you bake.
• glass bottles or jars - to store your vanilla, I'd recommend one of these 8-ounce swing-top bottles. They look great, seal tightly, and work great when using your vanilla in baking. You can also divide your vanilla into two 4-ounce bottles for gift giving, or make a double batch in one 16-ounce bottle.

How do you make vanilla extract from scratch?

1. Gather your vodka (or bourbon) and vanilla bean pods. If you can find 100-proof vodka that works best, and bourbon adds great flavor! Be sure to check labels if you're looking to make your vanilla extract gluten-free.
2. Slit vanilla bean pods lengthwise down the middle to expose beans inside. I also cut the bean pods in half across so that they stay fully submerged in the bottle.
3. Add beans to an 8-oz swing-top glass bottle. You can also use two 4-ounce bottles to give as gifts, or make a double batch in a 16-ounce bottle.
4. Fill the bottle with your vodka or bourbon and seal the top. Store bottle(s) in a cool place out of the sun.
5. Now just wait! Shake the bottle periodically to help release the flavors. Your homemade vanilla should be ready to use in 3-6 months, and the flavor will continue to intensify as it sits.
6. Use as you would store-bought vanilla, making sure to shake the bottle before each use. You can add more alcohol from time to time as you use the vanilla, so that you can keep making more with the same beans. Replace the beans after about a year and keep your vanilla going!

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Tips and F.A.Q.

Recipes to use your delicious homemade vanilla

Now that you know how to make vanilla extract at home, you need a recipe that will really let that vanilla shine! One great idea is my Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies recipe. It's a simple, 4-ingredient shortbread recipe that gets all of its flavor from brown sugar and vanilla. But together, they create an amazing rich flavor that is just incredible.

Another great option is one of the most popular recipes on my blog, my mini vanilla cake. It's a super easy, small batch cake recipe that is perfect for celebrations or just to satisfy a sweet tooth! And vanilla is the star of the show!

📖 Recipe

Last Updated on June 2, 2022 by Chenée Lewis

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