I’m all about gift giving this time of year and this DIY Homemade Vanilla Extract is the perfect homemade gift! But if you end up keeping it for yourself, I promise not to judge 🙂
Perhaps the easiest homemade gift of all times is homemade vanilla extract. It literally only needs 2 ingredients and then a big jar to put everything in. I order my vanilla beans in bulk from amazon to cut down on costs, and then load them up with alcohol, bourbon is my preference, and then let it marinate for a few weeks until it’s time to hand out some presents! Doesn’t get much easier than that!! Especially because any leftovers get to stay in my spice cabinet and used in my famous chocolate chip cookies!!
To make things even more festive – the end result gets divided into cute little Boston Round Bottles and then gussied up with some holiday paper! Done and done. Throw on a cute little ceramic tag and you’re done.
DIY Homemade Vanilla Extract
Ingredients
- 6 to 10 vanilla beans
- 16 ounces alcohol either vodka, bourbon or brandy
Instructions
- Split each vanilla bean in half lengthwise and transfer to a large jar. Cover the beans with alcohol, making sure they are 100% covered.
- Seal the jar with a lid or clasp and give it a swirl to mix things up.
- Store the jar in a dark cabinet and let the beans infuse the alcohol for at least 3 weeks. Check on it occasionally and give it another swirl to mix it up.
- Once the alcohol is infused, transfer the vanilla into small containers to keep or give out as gifts. You can keep the vanilla pods in the small containers or you can discard them. Use as needed.
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe by What’s Gaby Cooking / Ceramic Tags from Fifty One and a Half
I love the idea of bringing homemade kitchen gifts to my neighbors and friends. Usually I bake something, but this looks like a great idea for this year. Beautiful!
How long can you keep the vanilla? This looks like a lovely idea!
at least a year!! I’ve never kept it longer than that since I always run out 🙂
2-4 years unless fresh it is infinite
I love this recipe Gaby! I’ve seen it done with vodka before but never knew you could do it with other spirits – brandy would be amazing!!
Homemade vanilla extract is just the best! So easy as well, the only thing is planning ahead and making it with enough time to steep. I make mine with moderately priced vodka.
This is a MUST for any home baker!!
and those tags…
Hello
I’d like to buy vanilla beans. Any suggestions for a reliable online site?
Thanks
Linda
the link I used on amazon is great!!
Wow! Who knew it would be so easy to make your own vanilla extract! Pinning this!
Instead of using one big bottle, I put one split bean in each little jar and then filled with vodka. I hope that works!
it will absolutely work!!