Homemade vanilla extract is one of the easiest pantry staples you can make, and it adds rich, deep vanilla flavor to baking, desserts, and homemade gifts. With just vanilla beans and vodka, this easy vanilla extract recipe develops into a smooth, aromatic extract that tastes even better with time.
Vanilla Beans
Vanilla beans are pods that come from a species of orchid which is why many vanilla pictures have a white flower in them.
They are long, brown and skinny pods with a leathery outside and small black seeds inside. This is, sometimes known as caviar, is what you will use to use to get the most flavor.
After the caviar is removed, the pods, now called a spent pod, can still be used to infuse flavor into everything from ice cream and vodka to oils and candles.
There are three main types of vanilla beans:
- Madagascar- the most common, producing 75% of the world’s vanilla. Simple and clean.
- Mexican– More of a smoky flavor and darker in color.
- Tahitian– Floral notes, lighter and more delicate.
Why is Vanilla So Expensive?
Orchids are a popular flower that are beautifully flowering and commonly given as gifts. But if you’ve ever had an orchid, you also know these suckers are extremely temperamental. The vanilla orchid is no different.
In fact, each bloom only opens ONCE and for about 4 hours during which time it must be pollinated and even then only stands a slim chance to actually produce a pod.
It can take several years before they even produce their first bloom. Which means farming vanilla orchids is serious business and also very challening.
Due to this, vanilla and most vanilla products, are pretty pricey. A good quality extract can cost you up to $20. The amount of work and time that went into that one bean is astronomical! Okay, maybe that is a bit of a stretch, but a lot.
Gather This
You only need two ingredients to make homemade vanilla extract, yep- two. A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Vanilla beans – You will want to use grade B vanilla beans. Since this recipe has only two ingredients, the quality of the beans matters. Plump, fragrant beans will generally give you a richer extract than older, dried-out ones.
- Vodka – Vodka is the most common choice because it has a neutral flavor that lets the vanilla beans shine. If you want a cleaner, more classic vanilla flavor that works well in almost every recipe, vodka is the safest option. If you want a warmer or slightly deeper flavor, bourbon or dark rum can also work. Those versions can be excellent in fall baking or richer desserts, but they will contribute some of their own character.
How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract (Step-by-Step)
Making your own vanilla extract couldn’t be easier, it just takes a lot of time and these steps below.
- Split open the beans. Using a sharp knife, split open each bean lengthwise. No need to totally cut in half, just make sure the inside is exposed.
- Add beans to jar. Place spliced bean in a glass jar that can fit 1 1/2 cups of liquid and has a tightly fitting cap.
- Pour in vodka. Cover with vodka, about 1 cup. You can use a little less or a little more, it won’t make a huge difference in the result, just make sure the beans are totally covered.
- Shut tightly with lid. Secure lid and place in a cool, dry and dark place for a minimum of 8 weeks, but up to 12 months.
- Shake every so often. If you remember, try to shake it every week or so. Strain before using.
Single Fold Vs. Double Fold
Single fold vanilla is what most people will purchase. It uses 4 pods per 8 ounces. It still produces a good vanilla taste if left for 12 months, but it is less concentrated than double fold.
Double fold vanilla is exactly double. So 8 vanilla bean pods per 8 ounces with a much more rich and concentrated flavor.
If you are making your own, you can make something right in the middle. Totally up to you and your budget.
Never Ending Vanilla
I’ve seen vanilla beans go for up to $18 per pod, so if you do the math, we are spending $80-$120ish per bottle of extract. That is expensive, BUT…
you are going to get a lot more extract because it is a never ending bottle.
What I mean by this is that you can top it off with alcohol as you use it, so just keep refilling it. I keep a sticky note on the back of mine and note the dates I added vanilla beans and change them out every 12-14 months.
I also go through a lot of vanilla, so in my kitchen this makes sense and actually saves money. If you don’t bake often, this might be a total waste of money.
Spent Vanilla Bean Pods
We know you spent a lot of money on those pods, so rest assured we have other ways to use them from professional chefs!
- My favorite is to use them for flavoring vanilla ice cream.
- Flavoring scalded milk.
- Add to a small canister of sugar for vanilla flavored sugar. Great for dusting cookies and finishing desserts.
- Add to bourbon for flavored bourbon.
- Use to make vanilla flavored simple syrup.
Vanilla Extract Alcohol Content
Yes, since vanilla is made from alcohol, it is considered alcoholic, but since the amount used in most recipes is so little, there is only a trace. The minimum is that it contains 35% alcohol, which means that many commercial extracts are watered down.
Yours will be rich and robust, in fact, you might not even need the full amount called for in recipes. After you start to work with it, you’ll get the hang of it.
After you bake it, the alcohol will cook off completely.
Homemade Vanilla Extract as a Gift
There is nothing lovelier than a homemade gift and vanilla extract really shows you went the extra mile considering how long it takes to make.
If you plan to give this as a gift, consider straining the whole batch before bottling. You can strain and then place one or two spent pods back into the jar for decoration.
Make cute labels or even a larger label with instructions for never ending vanilla on the back or secured to the neck of the jar.
If you want to make a little go a long way, dilute it with 75% extract and 25% water.
Recipes That Use Vanilla Extract
From cakes to cookies and everything in between, you can use your homemade vanilla extract in any number of desserts.
Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe
Ingredients
- 4-8 vanilla bean pods , grade B
- 1 cup vodka
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, split open each of the 4-8 vanilla bean pods lengthwise. No need to totally cut in half, just make sure the inside is exposed.
- Place the spliced bean in a glass jar that can fit 1 1/2 cups of liquid and has a tightly fitting cap.
- Over with 1 cup vodka. You can use a little less or a little more, it won't make a huge difference in the result, just make sure the beans are totally covered.
- Secure lid and place in a cool, dry and dark place for a minimum of 8 weeks, but up to 12 months.
- If you remember, try to shake it every week or so.
- Strain before using.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.
Notes
Nutrition
If you really want an extract, you need 1oz of beans to 8oz of alcohol for a single fold and 2oz of beans to 8oz of alcohol for a double fold. You have to weigh your beans since they come in all sizes.
It is better to weigh your beans to get a good extract. If you want what you would purchase in the store then you do 1oz of beans to 8oz of alcohol. Double fold would be 2oz of beans to 8oz of alcohol.
Thank you, Julia.
I am going to try making vanilla for Christmas! I want to start with the instapot and then let it set until time as recommended… what procedures do you follow for starting it in the instapot? Thanks! I love your blog!
Hi Kirby! Thank you so much for the compliment. I am going to add the instructions to the post, but being 100% transparent, I haven’t not personally tried this method- I am getting it from a friend who has. So if you do try it, please come back and leave us a note to let us know how it went!
The best and easiest way to make vanilla! Has a long shelf life so we love it!
Love this recipe ! Thank you!!