Homemade Vanilla Extract With Just 2 Ingredients
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Homemade Vanilla Extract With Just 2 Ingredients. Delicious and super easy to make!
Practically every, single baking recipe calls for vanilla extract as an ingredient. Did you know that you can make vanilla, right in your own kitchen? Today I’ll share how to make homemade vanilla extract with just 2 ingredients.
As we start gearing up for the holidays and the baking of sweet treats, I wanted to share how to make vanilla extract.
Have you priced vanilla lately? Costs have increased significantly in our area. A one-ounce bottle of pure vanilla extract (not imitation) can cost anywhere from $5.59 for the store brand up to $18.00 for an organic brand. This recipe may seem expensive to make, but I will share the price breakdown with you. Homemade vanilla extract is not just delicious, but also a definite cost saver!
Go Cheap
I used the least expensive vodka that I could find. My local store had a 750ml bottle on sale for $7.00.
Where to buy vanilla beans?
You will need about 3-5 whole vanilla beans, or pods, for this recipe. I purchased mine at a specialty herb shop when I was visiting my bestie, Bambi. Typically you can find them at the grocery store, Fresh Market, Trader Joe’s or online. The beans that I purchased were about $11.00. The following beans would be very good:
Homemade Vanilla Extract With Just 2 Ingredients
You can easily create delicious vanilla extract in your home. All you need are 2 ingredients!
Ingredients
- 1 - 750 ML vodka
- 3 to 5 vanilla beans
Instructions
- Lay vanilla bean flat on a cutting board.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a slit down the side of each vanilla bean, being careful not to cut all of the way through the bean.
- Add the beans to the bottle of vodka.
- Place the vodka bottle in a dark cool pantry or closet for 6 to 8 weeks. You can leave the bottle even longer for a better depth of flavor.
- Each week turn the bottle upside down for better infusing.
Notes
This recipe is super cost effective.
Also, you can top off your homemade vanilla with more vodka to keep your vanilla going. Just allow time for infusing.
Price Breakdown for Homemade Vanilla
- Vodka, 750ml bottle $ 7.00
- Madagascar Vanilla Beans. 10.00
So, my total investment to make vanilla extract is just $17.00.
This popular store-bought brand was on sale at Target for $5.59 for just one ounce. Meanwhile, 750ml is a bit over 25 ounces. Multiply $5.59 x 25 = $139.75!!!! I would rather spend the $17.00 for 25 ounces, and have a much better tasting vanilla.
Why Make Homemade Vanilla Extract?
Why make vanilla extract when you can just buy it from the store? As I just said, you can’t beat the price. Plus, you know exactly what this vanilla is made from. No need for artificial colorants or sweeteners.
If you open a bottle of some store-bought vanilla extracts and a bottle of homemade vanilla, you will immediately smell the difference. This difference translates into much better tasting baked goods.
The bottle below shows what the vanilla was looking like at the 3-week mark.
This is after just 5 weeks. I think it’s important to note that fully infused vanilla is the color of caramel. It is not dark brown in color…more like iced tea.
The gift that keeps on giving
Keep in mind that you can continuously add more vodka to the bottle as you use it. Just top off the bottle as needed, being sure to allow enough time to infuse.
Speaking of gift, this would be perfect as a hostess gift – or as a gift for a friend.
I created these cute labels. You can download and print from below.
- You can print them out on a full label sheet, and then cut as you need them.
- Print on card stock. Cut and ModPodge the label onto a bottle.
- Print on card stock. Cut, hole punch and tie onto a bottle with raffia.
Gift Tags for Homemade Vanilla
I hope that you have been inspired in some small way today! If you have ever made homemade vanilla extract before, what is your recipe?