Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

Is it worth making your own vanilla extract? ›

A bit of simple math reveals that homemade vanilla extract is the more economical choice. Say you buy two 4-ounce bottles of the good vanilla extract from the grocery store every year. If each jar costs $18, that's $180 over a five-year span.

You only need 2 ingredients for homemade vanilla extract: vanilla beans and vodka. Let the vanilla beans infuse the vodka for as little as 8 weeks, but for optimal flavor, wait at least 6-12 months before using. Homemade vanilla is more cost efficient than store-bought options. You can try homemade vanilla sugar too.

Just remember this ratio: 6 vanilla beans per 8 ounces of alcohol. So if your jar is 12 ounces, use 9 vanilla beans. If it's 16 ounces, use 12 beans.

If you've got a vanilla bean that you've split and scraped the seeds out of for a baking project, you can totally breathe new life into that bean by throwing it into a batch of vanilla extract. Beans you've already used in a batch of extract can be reused in the next batch.

Because the alcohol is tasteless, you obtain the pure vanilla bean flavor with Vodka. Rum has a highly sweet flavor with a strong vanilla flavor. While Bourbon has a beautifully enhanced vanilla flavor, it also has distinct smoky overtones that come through in the extract.

The most common is Madagascar vanilla. (Madagascar is an island off Africa) It is typically a Grade A or “gourmet” bean that is used in cooking and gourmet extract is made from this bean. It is a bit more expensive than vanilla from other regions.

In my testing, I found that the homemade vanilla extract imparted a markedly different flavor than the bottled stuff—great in some applications, less so in others.

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.

Those include a cheap bottle of vodka; vanilla beans; bottles. You could totally steep the vanilla extract in the alcohol bottle, of course, but I prefer to divide it into containers for steeping. I know what you're thinking: Did she say to use cheap liquor to make vanilla extract?!? Yes, I did.

Should I use Everclear for vanilla extract? ›

It's true, though, that the higher the proof, the more vanilla essence will be extracted into the liquid. Since vanilla extract isn't for sipping, but used in concert with other ingredients, the harshness of a higher proof alcohol, such as Everclear, is not usually a problem. Use what you have on hand.

You can use vanilla beans for extract more than once, which makes them a gift that keeps on giving. Just know that the flavor will get weaker over time. Many recommend using them no more than four times.

The nice thing about making your own vanilla extract is that you can add more or less beans as you'd like.

Don't be fooled by extracts that claim to be pure, imitation and clear vanilla utilize artificial flavors. Pure vanilla extract should be dark brown; the color of Vanilla Beans used in the extraction process.

It's called "double fold" for a reason: Our friends at Singing Dog use twice as many vanilla beans in their extract to pack an incredible punch.

In my testing, I found that the homemade vanilla extract imparted a markedly different flavor than the bottled stuff—great in some applications, less so in others.

Everything you have ever heard about homemade vanilla extract is untrue. It's not more intense, deeper in flavor, or less expensive than store-bought vanilla extract. I feel like kind of a jerk for even saying so, but there you go.

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. What is the shelf life of my vanilla beans? When stored properly, two years.

Despite generally being used in small amounts, vanilla extract can enhance the flavor of your favorite dessert. Because vanilla extract is made from pure vanilla beans, it has a stronger, more complex flavor than vanilla essence, which is cheaper but artificially flavored.