I love giving people Christmas gifts that come from the heart and are homemade. But if you’re like me, your mile-long to-do list probably has convinced you that you don’t have enough time left to make anything. That’s why I’m sharing this recipe with you for homemade vanilla extract. It’s too simple, and the results are impressive.
When you read how straightforward this is, you’re going to wish you had known about it years ago. Goodness! I've spent a lot of unnecessary money on the store-bought version before I learned about this.
I recently made almost twenty bottles of the stuff to give as gifts in less time than it would take to drive to the grocery store and buy vanilla extract.
Here’s my simple recipe:
I started with a bulk bag of approximately 40 vanilla beans. For fun, you can experiment with different varieties like Tahitian and Madagascar. I bought mine on line, but most gourmet grocery stores or health food stores carry them. Cut each bean in half and slit lengthwise.
For each 4-oz. bottle I made, I added four of these vanilla pieces, then filled the bottle to the top with vodka. You can also use rum or brandy.
That’s it! Shake the bottles gently every week, and they will be ready to use in about 6-8 weeks.
To be honest, I splurge when it comes to my vanilla extract, and I buy Courvoisier brandy. This French brandy is a decadent treat, but I've also had decent results with plain-old 180-proof vodka.
As the volume goes down, I add more alcohol, and I’m often able to eke out another rendering.
Here are my sources of vanilla beans that are usually less costly than buying from the local grocery store:
2) Penzey’s
As a bonus, I recently found a free download of beautiful labels that you can print out and affix to your vanilla extract bottles to make them an even lovelier gift. Check it out here.
Wishing you and your family the happiest and healthiest of Christmas and Hanukkah holidays!
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Thank you, Joette! I can’t wait to try this.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Thank you! Thank you!
Similar to another recipe I’ve seen, but quite different from the vanilla I purchased for Christmas gifts. (Lots & lots of vanilla! The purchase of which is said to support skills training and income opportunities for impoverished people, so not regrets if that is true, but also nice to know options for making my own.) Boy oh boy! Am I left with questions, though!
I make mine in a similar fashion… An easy way to do it in large bottles is to use 1/4 lb of beans per quart of liquor. Any pure grain alcohol will do. The cheapest source I’ve found for beans is Vanilla Products USA, which can be found on eBay. They often run sales, and for every 1 lb of beans you buy, they’ll send you 1/4 lb of Grade A Madagascar beans (the pricier ones) for free!
Hi Joette! Thanks for the great idea for gift giving. I just started my 1t bottle a couple of weeks ago! But, I use to buy from Penzey’s until I found out they radiate all of their spices! Yuk! NO thanks for any more toxins in my spices on my food! So, I now buy organic spices in bulk at health-food store and online. Have a Merry Christmas or Hanukkah to you too! 🙂
This is a great idea! Thanks for the recipe, too!
Thank you for the wonderful gift suggestion and especially for the links too! Will definitely be checking those out! Merry Christmas!
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I’ve been looking for 180-proof vodka but only could find 80-proof. Any suggestions? Please suggest a brand name for the vodka. I’m dying to make this.
Sometimes I use Devils’ Spring Vodka, but my favorite is Courvoisier brandy as it offers a flavor that is unmatched.
Everclear is 95% alcohol (190 proof) but is not available in many states.
Devil Springs is 80% alcohol (160 proof)
One more questions – please!
Does is matter which Courvoisier brandy that is used? I only ask because I don’t buy alcohol so I am unfamiliar with it.
THANK YOU so much for your anticipated response!
Courvoisier is a brand of cognac. I’ll warn you that its expensive, but oh, what a flavor it imparts!