Homemade Vanilla.

Homemade Vanilla.

This homemade vanilla is easy to make with high quality ingredients.

There are so many reasons why you should make your own vanilla.

  • Its easy. Too easy to NOT make.
  • You get a nice big bottle!   (if you bake as much as I do, this is a good thing.)
  • It looks very cool on your counter!!!
  • You’ll be saving money.

 

Unless you have been using imitation vanilla extract, which is bad, it is cheap because it is full of chemicals.

Real vanilla is expensive, and for good reason. The vanilla bean goes through a very specific,  long and  labor intensive  process before it ever becomes the extract we use.

What Spirit Should I Use?

I decided to use vodka. It has no taste so the flavor will be pure vanilla. Which is what I prefer for baking with.

As for homemade vanilla recipes, I have seen many, many really bad recipes. None of them use enough vanilla beans. You are making vanilla, not vanilla flavored vodka.

After doing more research on the matter I located a formula which works. And it also happens to be the law.

The USDA requires at least 35% vol. of alcohol and 13.35 ounces of pod per gallon which is roughly 8-11 pods per 250ml.

My bottle of Belvedere is 750 ml so I have used, 16 beans per bottle. Yes, 16 All in all, my BIG bottle of pure vanilla magic cost $80.00

It is worth every penny!

Homemade Vanilla.
 
Recipe type: Infused
Ingredients
  • 1 bottle of vodka
  • vanilla beans
Instructions
  1. You will need to pour out about a ¼ cup of the vodka from the bottle to make room for the vanilla beans.
  2. Using a sharp knife, slice the beans from tip to tip and place into the bottle of vodka.
  3. Replace the cap and give the bottle a good shake.
  4. Within the hour the vodka should be a nice amber color.
  5. By hour 3 it will start to take on a nice redish hue.
  6. Go and pop it into a nice dark closet and forget about it.
  7. Everyone once in a while, stop in to give it a sniff, cause you know you want to!
  8. And a good shake.
  9. But be forwarned, magic does not happen over night. Infact the longer you can let it sit, the better it will be.
  10. I left mine hidden for 1 year before I pulled it out

It has a nice rich, warm aroma, with just a little hint of alcohol.

It is the nicest vanilla I have used.

Published by Redawna

Garden & Food Writer/Educator/Photographer. NFT artist. Management Professional. Community Builder. Entrepreneurial spirit.

8 Replies on “Homemade Vanilla.

  1. I learned that you could make home-made vanilla (and blogged about it) a few months ago. I returned from 2 months away to a very satisfying bottle of amber liquid! I will take your tip and keep one bottle for a year though. Even the simplest thing can be rewarding.

    1. So good seeing you Sally!

      When I researched it I found a lot of conflicting infromation but a few solid sources.
      But the true test was the “sniff” test.
      I knew it was ready when the aroma of the vanilla was strong and you can only got a hint of the alcohol.
      It took along time but was worth it!
      It is really nice vanilla! And I am really glad I tried it!

      Thanks for stopping by!

  2. YUM! I have wanted to make homemade vanilla extract before – thank you so much for sharing your version!! And that bottle is gorgeous, too! I’ve got vanilla beans in my pantry, so now I just need to get some vodka.

    I’ve made vanilla sugar before, it is delicious!

    Love your blog!!

    Aimee

    1. Aimee!

      If you can, I would give the homeade version a try, it is really really good.
      I am glad you like the blog, it is so new but been alot of fun so far.

      Thanks so much for stopping by!

  3. Oh. Wow. I always use pure vanilla extract but have never made my own. It might cost $80 to do so, but that’s good value relative to what I pay for a small bottle!

    1. I have two bottles in rotation right now. Every once in a while I’ll add a few beans and top them up with more vodka. Though the initial start up costs a bit you save in the long run. Bonus is you never are without vanilla again. Definitely worth it!

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