I just love vanilla extract. It smells so amazing and it makes my baked goods taste delicious. Unfortunately, it is expensive!
A couple of years ago, I discovered I could make homemade vanilla for a fraction of the cost. Best of all, it’s EASY. I like easy.
Homemade vanilla is now one of my favorite baking ingredients and I think it would make a beautiful and thoughtful gift to any baker in your life. Homemade and consumable gifts are the way to go.
To make your own vanilla, for yourself or for gifts, follow these easy instructions.
Ingredients
- Vodka
- Vanilla Beans
- Small Glass Bottle with lid (I chose 8 oz, but any size will do)
Directions
- Cut vanilla beans in half, horizontally.
- Cut vanilla beans in half, lengthwise, leaving them attached at the tip (start cutting about ½ inch from the tip).
- To each bottle, add 6-8 vanilla bean pieces (3-4 whole beans).
- Using a funnel, fill bottle with vodka, covering the beans completely.
- Seal the bottle and store in a cool, dark place (cabinet or closet).
- Shake the bottle about once a week.
- Vanilla will be ready in about 6 weeks! (If you need to give the vanilla as a gift before it’s ready, just instruct the recipient that it’s better after it sits a while longer.)
- After 6 weeks, you can remove the beans or leave them in. If you leave them in, be sure to keep them completely covered by the liquid. (Plus, when the vanilla starts to run out, you can just add more vodka and let it sit for a few more weeks. This can be repeated with the same beans 2-3 times!)
I found these adorable free printable labels from Live Laugh Rowe that you can print onto a shipping label and affix to your bottle. Tie a cute ribbon around the neck of the bottle to complete your gift!
[...] chopped pecans ½ teaspoon cinnamon ½ tablespoon sucanat 4 eggs ½ cup honey 1 tablespoon vanilla 3 cups almond flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking [...]