Make Your Own Vanilla Extract

By jcarpenter from Mt. Pleasant, MI

Archives: Request: Make Your Own Vanilla Extract Archived on 07/27/2009 I always make my own Vanilla extract. It's much tastier and when I make in bulk, I give away the extra as Christmas gifts in bottles I get at the Dollar store. Just go to the liquor store and buy a fifth of Everclear. Buy 3 vanilla beans, split them down the middle and open a bit and drop them in the bottle. Keep in a cool dry place. I keep mine in our cold room. Shake the bottle every week. It usually takes about 3 months for the color and flavor to develop, so make well in advance if you plan on giving as a gift. This makes a very concentrated Vanilla so you only have to use half the amount called for in any recipe. The fragrance is much stronger and smells so good. Source: I have to give credit to my sis, Pat. She told me how to make it a few years ago and I have been doing it ever since. By Ragteller from Tofield, Alberta Canada Editor's Note: Everclear is not available in many parts of the U.S. due to it's high alcohol content. Try substituting a high proof clear alcohol such as 100 proof vodka or ask at your local liquor store. Feedback: RE: Make Your Own Vanilla Extract If you want to buy good quality vanilla beans. I found a website www.beanilla.com they have the quality Mexican beans, as well as other types. I prefer the Mexican bean over the others. (05/12/2008) By Bryce Report Spam or Abuse Request: Make Your Own Vanilla Extract Archived on 04/21/2008 Has anyone made their own Vanilla Extract? I read somewhere that you can soak Vanilla beans in Rum and that does it, but I am wondering if anyone has had experience with this and what the proportions would be? My husband brought me a bottle one year ago from Mexico (organic) and it is great! I refuse to use artificial because of quality and I bake A LOT for my kids. Plus, I use it as mosquito repellent (no joke!). I don't mind the investment for high quality. Thanks! camo_angels from Willamina, OR Answers: RE: Making Vanilla Extract Try your hand at making your own vanilla extract. Take a clean jar & pour into it 3/4 cup. vodka & 1 split vanilla bean. Seal the jar & allow to stand for six months, before using. By Terri H. RE: Making Vanilla Extract I use a one liter bottle of vodka and add 2-3 vanilla beans, let it sit for one month, the longer the better. As you use it, keep the bottle full by adding more vodka. You will never run out of vanilla. I keep a small bottle (I reused a vanilla extract bottle) in my pantry for my baking needs. My friends and I have been doing this for over ten years. RE: Making Vanilla Extract Where is the best place to get the beans? RE: Making Vanilla Extract I have had the same beans for years. The last place I bought them was at a supermarket. They are expensive but you only buy them once. (04/18/2005) By ThriftyFun RE: Make Your Own Vanilla Extract Thanks for that! I wasn't sure if you had to replace the beans or not. Does the quality of vodka make a difference? (03/10/2006) By camo_angels RE: Make Your Own Vanilla Extract I too will never sacrifice taste and quality for cost, however this recipe is time consuming not expensive. Just be sure to use premium spirits for best quality. Vodka is fairly neutral, rum sweet and brandy pungent. HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT 5 vanilla beans 1 pint good quality alcohol (vodka, rum, or brandy. They all have their own charms so make some of each or blend and experiment!) Split the vanilla beans lengthwise, exposing the seeds but keeping the ends intact. Place the beans in the alcohol and cap the jar tightly. Store in a cool, dark place (the bottom of your pantry closet is a good choice), removing to shake the jar a couple of times a week. The extract must remain in the dark for at least four weeks, but four months make it even better, the longer it stands, the stronger it gets. Pour the extract through cheese cloth into a large pitcher and then into bottles, placing one bean in each. Cork tightly, label and date. Use for your own baking or slap on a pretty label and give as a gift. (03/10/2006) By saminalistaphoxe RE: Make Your Own Vanilla Extract I have had this recipe for years, but have never tried it. 1 vanilla bean (4"-6" long) 1/4 cup dark rum or vodka Chop up vanilla bean & put it in a small jar or bottle; pour in rum or vodka; tightly screw lid on jar so alcohol will not evaporate. Put in a warm cupboard for 2 months. Use as for regular vanilla extract. If extract is too strong, dilute with more rum or vodka. Makes 1/4 cup. (03/11/2006) By Shirley RE: Make Your Own Vanilla Extract I make my own on a small scale. I took an old vanilla bottle and placed 2 whole vanilla beans (from my bulk healthfood store- which are a lot cheaper) and filled the bottle up with at least 80 proof vodka (I happen to use Popov). Shake it everyday for about a month. I use it after a month, and though I have had the beans for about 4 years now, I think they are loosing their potency, as it takes longer to make the same tint in the bottle as when i first got them. I still buy the imitation from the store when it goes on sale, and I save the homemade for the really good stuff for special occasions because it is so much more delicate in flavor. HTH- Jamie (03/11/2006) By dontfencemein1979 RE: Make Your Own Vanilla Extract Chemistry question: would the molasses from the rum cause the vanilla to spoil? (03/11/2006) By camo_angels RE: Make Your Own Vanilla Extract Buy Watkins Vanilla. You won"t be sorry. (03/12/2006) By Carol RE: Make Your Own Vanilla Extract Penzey's Spices (www.penzeys.com) sells vanilla beans and many other top-quality spices. If there is a Penzey's shop near you, stop by and smell the spices before you buy -- it's fantastic stuff. (03/13/2006) By Robin M RE: Make Your Own Vanilla Extract topvanilla.com sells great beans and they are a lot cheaper than the supermarket (04/16/2006) RE: Make Your Own Vanilla Extract I buy all my vanilla beans from HR Spices. I make vanilla extract using 2 beans per 1/2 cup of rum. I just let the vanilla beans sit in the rum for about two months and use as needed. The beans are always plump and shinny, the extract always come out great. I also make vanilla sugar by leaving the beans in a container of sugar. Delicious! (05/10/2006) By Gwen RE: Make Your Own Vanilla Extract Gwen - I really would like to try with the rum, and my Yummy Mexican Vanilla has a month left....(wow, I have had it for 16 months!) How long does it need to steep? And have you ever had a problem with the bean going "bad" with the molasses, or I assume the alcohol would preserve it to some point. What I am looking at doing is steeping in a bottle to pour into my original bottle. (05/11/2006) By camo_angels RE: Make Your Own Vanilla Extract Don't worry about the molasses of rum going bad, it's a natural preservative. (01/06/2007) By Steph RE: Make Your Own Vanilla Extract It's one cup of rum per every 3 vanilla beans. The longer you leave it, the stronger the flavor and the darker the color of the liquid. (03/20/2008) Report Spam or Abuse