How to Make Vanilla Extract

Wikipedia

Ah, the sweet scent of vanilla!  Although most commonly used as a spice added to baked goods, pure vanilla extract can also be used medicinally to soothe achy tummies and reduce fever.  Or add a few drops to rich jojoba, sweet almond, or avocado oil and use to massage away stress.  Additionally, the soothing scent of vanilla can help induce a good night’s sleep or turn up passion fires when used as an aphrodisiac.

Pure vanilla extract is obtained from the dried fruit pods of the “Madagascar-Bourbon“ Orchid which must be hand pollinated. This unfortunately makes vanilla oil one of the most expensive of all spices, unless of course you make your own!

How to Make Vanilla Extract

Commercial vanilla extract usually has simple syrup (sugar water) added to the extract to give it a sweet aftertaste. You can do this if you want, but if you are using the vanilla for baking, there really is no need.

Ingredients

3 vanilla beans
1 cup vodka
glass jar with tight fitting lid

Method

1 Use kitchen scissors or a sharp paring knife to cut lengthwise down each vanilla bean, splitting them in half, leaving an inch at the end connected.

2 Put vanilla beans in a glass jar or bottle with a tight fitting lid (mason jars work well). Cover completely with the vodka.

3 Give the bottle a good shake every once in a while. Store in a dark, cool place for 2 months or longer.

Lasts for years. You can keep topping it off with vodka once in a while as you use it, just remember to give it a good shake.

You can also make vanilla sugar by putting a split vanilla bean into a jar of white, granulated sugar. Great way to infuse the sugar with vanilla flavor for baking.

We owe a big thank you to Simply Recipes for sharing this easy DIY recipe to make your very own vanilla extract.