DIY Vanilla Extract

Make your own vanilla extract with two simple ingredients!

This recipe started out as an "I wonder..." I wonder how much vanilla beans cost? I wonder how much vanilla is in vanilla extract. I wonder if homemade is better/cheaper/taster/etc than store bought. I wonder if you really just soak vanilla beans in ethanol. Anyway, you get the point. Being an experimentalist, I figured the best way to find out was experimentation! I started off with a smaller batch since I didn't know how it'd turn out. You can vary the scales based on your needs. I got some vanilla beans from Amazon. I went for the lower grade (B or extract) since the main difference between Grade A and B is just appearance. If you're going to chop/slice up the beans, appearance isn't a big deal. For the ethanol, vodka works well since it's pretty flavorless - you want around 80 proof or 40% ethanol by volume. I'd recommend going for the cheapest clean tasting or flavorless one you can find. Or just add water to Everclear. Then you literally just soak the vanilla beans in the ethanol and shake once in a while. :)

What's your favorite "I wonder..." recipe?

DIY Vanilla Extract

by CJ Huang

Make your own vanilla extract with two simple ingredients!

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: none
Total time: 5 minutes + extraction time
Yield: 8 fluid ounces

Materials:

Mass	Weight	Volume	Number	Material	Notes
			4	vanilla beans
		8 ounces		80 proof alcohol

Methods:

	1. Gather all materials.
	2. Slice vanilla beans in half. (optional)
	3. Scrape out seeds. I just swirled the knife in the ethanol to remove the seeds. (optional)
	4. Let beans extract.
	5. Shake bottle occasionally while letting beans continue to extract.

Shared with: Wonderful Wednesday, What's Cookin' Wednesday, #recipeoftheweek, Creative Ways, Throwback Thursday, Pinworthy Projects, What's for Dinner?, Happiness is Homemade, Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Over the Moon, Melt in Your Mouth Monday, What'd You Do This Weekend?, #recipeoftheweek, Turn It Up Tuesday