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5.0 from 6 votes

Vanilla Extract Recipe | How to make Vanilla Extract

When it comes to baking and making pastries at home, there's no better way to add depth and complexity than by adding pure Vanilla Extract. Homemade vanilla extract recipe is super simple to make and requires just 2 basic ingredients.

Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings: 1 small bottle
Calories: 463 kcal
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: International

Ingredients

  • 4 to 5 Vanilla Beans
  • ¾ cup vodka (6 ounces or 0.38 pint)
  • a clean glass bottle or glass jar

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. You will need 4 to 5 vanilla beans, ¾ cup vodka (7.6 ounces or ½ pint) and a clean, dry glass jar or bottle
  2. Now slit the vanilla beans and halve them into two using a knife. You can also slit and then chop them in small sticks.
  3. Add them to a clean glass jar/bottle and then pour vodka. Shake the jar lightly. The chopped vanilla beans needs to completely immersed in the vodka. Cover tightly with the lid and keep in a cool dry place.
  4. Once in a week shake the jar. Let the vanilla beans to steep in the vodka for at least a month. The more you keep longer, the better and potent the flavors will be.
  5. After a month or so, you can also strain the extract. The vanilla beans can be pat dried and then added to a sugar jar or container to get vanilla flavored sugar.
  6. When the vanilla beans are soaked for a month or so, you will see the transparency of vodka changes to a deep dark brown color. Later add the homemade Vanilla Extract as required to your bakes and desserts. You can keep the extract at room temperature or refrigerate it.

Notes

  • The longer you allow the vanilla beans to steep, the better and more potent the flavors become.
  • Make sure to good quality and a higher grade of vanilla beans as the flavor of the vanilla extract largely depends on the type of vanilla beans you use.
  • Use any of your preferred high ABV liquor like vodka, rum, whiskey, or brandy.
  • Keep in mind that the chopped vanilla beans continue to flavor the liquor, even after you start using the extract. Always ensure that the beans are always submerged inside the liquor.
  • Once the extract has been used enough to leave some vanilla beans exposed to the air, you can remove them, pat the beans dry, and then add them to a sugar jar or container to get vanilla-flavored sugar.

Nutrition Information

Calories 463kcal (23%) Carbohydrates 5g (2%) Fat 3g (5%) Sodium 2mg (0%) Potassium 2mg (0%) Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 0.01mg Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.01mg Iron 0.02mg (0%) Phosphorus 9mg

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1small bottle

Amount Per Serving

Calories 463

% Daily Value*

Calories 463kcal 23%
Carbohydrates 5g 2%
Fat 3g 5%
Sodium 2mg 0%
Potassium 2mg 0%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 0.01mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.01mg
Iron 0.02mg 0%
Phosphorus 9mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.