*This website may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission for purchases made… at no additional cost to you.
For the best vanilla extract, make your own. Nothing beats homemade vanilla extract! You know exactly what is in there!
And if you’re like me, you might throw in an extra vanilla bean or two *winky face*
By the way, have you seen the price for PURE vanilla extract these days? WHOA. At one point (thanks p@ndemic) I was faced with a 4 oz jar of pure extract for $16! SIXTEEN DOLLARS YOU GUYS. My 32 ounce bottle of vodka cost me $17 (plus Washington state tax, but that is another topic for another day).
Imitation extract is just fine I suppose, but gosh guys. Imitation?!! If left with a choice of NO vanilla in my favorite recipe vs. imitation… I suppose I’d go there, but I’d go kicking and screaming.
The thing about your own vanilla extract is It’s crazy easy to make, but you will have to be patient! This will need to sit for 6-12 months before using. The longer the yummier. Plan ahead for the holidays and think of how wonderful a gift this would make (I think these containers with these labels would be so cute to gift it in!) OR make things REAl easy on yourself check out this gift set:
This set contains 10 vanilla beans, 375 ml clear glass bottle imported from Italy with round wooden cork stopper, plus a cute custom label that you can write your name and bottled date on – instructions included!
Wouldn’t you just be SO tickled and thought of if you received a cute bottle of homemade pure vanilla extract? Give a friend a cookie and feed her for a day but give her bottle of homemade vanilla extract and then maybe she’ll decide to feed YOU!
There are two ingredients…. vodka and vanilla beans, I recommend these organic madagascar vanilla beans, and the basic Smirnoff for my vodka choice. Just make sure the vodka is at least 70 proof.
I haven’t tried it, but think it is next on my list…. BOURBON vanilla extract. I found this bottle on Amazon and I think I can get that price point down a bit!
Have you ever made your own vanilla extract? Is it too much work to think to shake every week or so? I just added a reminder to my calendar. I will shake my bottles on the day I water my houseplants!
Homemade Vanilla Vodka
Two ingredients and this simple recipe will make you wonder ehy you ever bought vanilla extract from the grocery store.
Ingredients
- 8 oz Vodka (at least 7 proof)
- 5-6 good quality vanilla beans
Instructions
- Use a sharp knife to split open the vanilla beans
- Add beans to jar
- Pour vodka
- Place airtight lid on jar
- Shake.
- Store in cool, dark place for 6-12 months and shake every week or two
If this little project isn’t DIY enough for you, here’s the tutorial for my pantry doors. Outright replacing my doors was a no-go as far as budget so I tapped into a little creativity and sourced a reputable cane webbing seller on Etsy and it’s been almost 3 years since and I am every bit in love with those doors as I was at the beginning. That little project proved that hard work really does pay off!
