Vanilla Extract Recipe - Only TWO ingredients! Easy homemade gift. (2024)

FAQs

How do you make homemade vanilla extract for Christmas gift? ›

Split and scrape out the seeds from vanilla beans and place it all (pods and seeds) in a large sealable glass jar or container. Pour in warm vodka, cover and shake to combine. Place in a cool, dry place to infuse for at least one week (two is even better). Strain and use a funnel to transfer to glass bottles.

The timing also makes it an excellent Hanukkah or Christmas gift—or even a fun host gift for Thanksgiving. Funnel your homemade extract into 1-oz. bottles (which you can buy in bulk on Amazon) to hand out to anyone you know who might love a little handcrafted flavor.

Use either. 80 proof Alcohol: Vanilla extract is most commonly made from vodka, but you can use bourbon, brandy, or rum instead. I usually use vodka, but the one bottle of bourbon vanilla I made 7 months ago is DIVINE. No need to splurge on expensive alcohol.

The standard for pure vanilla extract is 1 oz. of vanilla beans (by weight) per 8 fl. oz. (1 cup) of alcohol.

What is the shelf life of my vanilla extract? When stored properly, vanilla extract will keep indefinitely, but using it within five years will allow for best flavor and aroma. Do not refrigerate or freeze, even after opening.

Seal the jar tightly with a lid and store in a dark, cool place. Wait. Next, you must wait at least 8 weeks before using the vanilla extract. I actually prefer to wait for 3-4 months before I open and use mine, because the vanilla flavor continues to intensify the longer the beans sit.

Good quality vanilla extract is made from steeping whole vanilla beans in ethyl alcohol and water. If you see a bottle labeled "Pure vanilla extract," it means that it contains 35% alcohol and used 100 grams of vanilla beans per liter during infusion.

For classic vanilla flavor, stick strictly with Madagascar vanilla or Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans. If you have the choice between “Grade A” or “Grade B”, stick to the Grade B because they're cheaper (if not as pretty) and they work just as well for making extract.

When giving this as a gift I like to include it in a basket filled with other goodies. A lovely combination would be a jar of this Vanilla Extract, a tea towel, and maybe a cookie cutter or two. If you were feeling extra creative you could give a jar of the dry ingredients and the recipe for sugar cookies.

With Vodka, you get the taste of the pure vanilla bean, as the alcohol is completely tasteless. With Rum, you get a very sweet taste and the maximum vanilla taste. With Bourbon, while you do get a wonderfully enhanced vanilla taste, there are specific smoky notes that emanate through the extract.

Should I use vodka or Everclear for vanilla extract? ›

Vodka is the preferred alcohol for extractions like this, as its flavor is neutral and does not compete with that of the vanilla beans.

The liquid should be dark golden or brown. The darker the color, the stronger the vanilla flavor. If you've left the vanilla seeds in the bean, there should be lots of little flecks that have settled to the bottom of the jar. When you shake it, the extract should look almost opaque.

Answer #2: Alcohol is normal. Remember that all "Pure" extracts are required to have a minimum 35% alcohol content, which is just as much alcohol that is in hard liquor.

The ingredients: 1 oz Premium Vanilla Beans (about 8-10 of vanilla beans) 8.5 ounce Glass Jar or Bottle with lid (we suggest a swing top bottle with attached lid) 1 cup (8 oz) alcohol (at least 35% alcohol (70 proof)-vodka is common; also try rum, bourbon or brandy)

The FDA says that for extract to be “Pure” you need 13.35oz of vanilla beans in every gallon of spirit. The FDA also says that the spirit needs to be at least 35% alcohol, which is 70 proof. The FDA also says that the beans should be less than 25% moisture content, which is usually grade B.

Yes, you can find vanilla extracts that contain less or no alcohol, though they won't be called “extracts” since they don't meet the FDA's standards. These products are commonly referred to as vanilla flavoring, instead.

I like to use pint-sized mason jars with plastic lids. Waxed Paper: A piece placed between the lid and the jar helps to keep the extract from leaking when you shake the jar. It also helps to create a better seal. Vanilla Beans: Grade A Madagascar vanilla beans are best.

Strain (only if you want to)

At this point, you're almost ready to bake or give your homemade vanilla extract away as a gift. You can strain it to remove any bits of the bean that you don't want floating around in the jar.

Finally, at-home extract makers may may notice white fatty-matter appearing on their beans shortly after submersing them in alcohol. It can have the initial appearance of mold, but when you look closely you will see that it is actually the fatty vanillin oils being extracted. They will break down over time.