Homemade Vanilla Extract

Homemade Vanilla Extract is easy to make, absolutely delicious, and makes a great gift! Pair a bottle of homemade vanilla extract with some holiday cookies or baked goods, a new cookbook, or a few kitchen linens for the perfect gift any time. And once you have homemade vanilla extract in your pantry, you won't want to go back to store-bought vanilla... it's that good (and easy)!

If you're looking for other holiday-related recipes, try these Candied Orange Slices, Dried Sliced Oranges, and Classic Vanilla Marshmallows. All store and travel (or ship) well! And if you're putting together a holiday cookie box, check out these cookie recipes!

Ingredients & Supplies

There are just a few things you'll need to make Homemade Vanilla Extract.

• Vodka - Choose a vodka that is fairly neutral (not flavored) and 80-proof. I like to use Prairie Organic Spirits vodka because it's a nice, smooth, organic vodka that isn't too expensive.
• Vanilla beans - You can use any kind of vanilla beans that you like. I love these Native Vanilla beans.
• Glass bottles - I recommend using 8-ounce bottles, but you can do this with any size or type of bottle. Even a recycled bottle works great (one of my vanilla extracts is in an old maple syrup bottle!). I like to use these 8-ounce swing top bottles.
• Labels or tags - It's nice to be able to put a label or tag on the bottle, especially if you're gifting it, to say what it is, and when the vanilla extract can be used. I like to use these kraft paper gift tags.

See full recipe below for detailed directions.

Substitutions & Variations

Classic vanilla extract is made with vodka, but you can also make this recipe with different spirits for a different flavor!

• Use bourbon: You can make bourbon vanilla extract by using bourbon instead of vanilla. Choose a bourbon that is unflavored, and that you like to drink (but it doesn't need to be anything fancy). You'll taste the bourbon when you're baking with this flavored vanilla extract, so consider that when you're baking!
• Use brandy or rum: Similarly, you can make this recipe with an unflavored brandy or rum. You'll also taste the flavor of the brandy or rum in your final baked goods, so consider that when you're baking!

I have not tested this recipe with other variations, but if you do, let us know how it turns out in the comments! I always love to hear how you're adapting these recipes and use those as ideas for future recipes as well!

How to make Homemade Vanilla Extract

This recipe comes together in just a few minutes!

Cut the vanilla beans in half lengthwise to expose the vanilla bean seeds inside. You want to expose these to the vodka.

Place the vanilla beans into a clean glass bottle.

Fill the bottle with vodka. You want the vanilla beans to be fully submerged.

Shake the bottle, and you're done! Let this sit for at least 8 weeks, shaking the bottle weekly to help distribute the vanilla bean seeds.

How to refill Homemade Vanilla Extract

As you are using your vanilla extract, you'll want to refill it once the bottle is about ⅓ empty. If you let it get lower than that, your vanilla extract will be too diluted when you refill, and you'll need to wait a few weeks again before you use it to get that strong vanilla flavor.

To refill your homemade vanilla extract:

1. Add a vanilla bean or two (whatever you have on hand) to the bottle, cut in half length-wise. You don't have to add a lot of fresh beans every time you're refreshing.
2. Top off the bottle with vodka (or your chosen spirit) and shake.
3. You can use the vanilla extract right away if you refilled less than ⅓ of the bottle.

Do I ever need to take out the vanilla beans?

No! The alcohol preserves the beans, so you can continue adding beans to the bottle without ever removing them (until at some point you can't fit any more beans in the bottle). I've heard stories of people who have had their vanilla extract going for ten years!

• If your bottle does become so full with vanilla beans that you can fit in any more, you can either start a new bottle from scratch or remove a few vanilla beans and keep it going.

An important note is that the alcohol will only preserve the beans while the beans are fully covered. This is another reason to refill your vanilla before it gets to be ⅓ empty so you're preserving the vanilla beans that you have in your bottle.

Storage

Homemade Vanilla Extract should be stored in a cool, dry place (like your kitchen pantry). During the first 8 weeks, shake the extract at least once per week, or whenever you remember. When you're ready to use your Homemade Vanilla Extract, shake it and then pour into your measure or recipe.

Recipe FAQs