Vanilla Extract Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you make your own vanilla extract? ›

Use either. 80 proof Alcohol: Vanilla extract is most commonly made from vodka, but you can use bourbon, brandy, or rum instead. I usually use vodka, but the one bottle of bourbon vanilla I made 7 months ago is DIVINE. No need to splurge on expensive alcohol.

Seal the jar tightly with a lid and store in a dark, cool place. Wait. Next, you must wait at least 8 weeks before using the vanilla extract. I actually prefer to wait for 3-4 months before I open and use mine, because the vanilla flavor continues to intensify the longer the beans sit.

The FDA requires 2.64 ounces of vanilla beans/bits per 750 mL (approximately 25 fluid ounces) of alcohol to define a “single fold” vanilla extract. As a group we recommend 2-3 oz of beans per 750 mL or 1 oz of beans for 1 cup of alcohol.

All you need are fresh beans and cheap booze to make an ultra-flavorful extract at a fraction of the cost. All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Answer #2: Alcohol is normal. Remember that all "Pure" extracts are required to have a minimum 35% alcohol content, which is just as much alcohol that is in hard liquor.

What is the shelf life of my vanilla extract? When stored properly, vanilla extract will keep indefinitely, but using it within five years will allow for best flavor and aroma.

Those include a cheap bottle of vodka; vanilla beans; bottles. You could totally steep the vanilla extract in the alcohol bottle, of course, but I prefer to divide it into containers for steeping. I know what you're thinking: Did she say to use cheap liquor to make vanilla extract?!? Yes, I did.

Re-fillable: Once you run out of vanilla, refill the bottle with Vodka and use the beans for another batch (they will last for up to two batches). Also, the vanilla extract wont expire as long as it's stored in a cool, dry place.

As the vanilla extract sits, it will get darker. You want the beans to soak in the alcohol for at least 2 months before using it. The flavor will only get better with time. Make up several batches of vanilla extract at once so you never have to wait for a batch to brew.

Can you reuse vanilla beans when making vanilla extract? ›

If you've got a vanilla bean that you've split and scraped the seeds out of for a baking project, you can totally breathe new life into that bean by throwing it into a batch of vanilla extract. Beans you've already used in a batch of extract can be reused in the next batch.

After one year, in our experience, much of the flavor has been extracted, maybe even most of the flavor. But there is still some value. We have had positive experiences taking our one-year old vanilla beans and starting a new extract with them, but adding 50% new vanilla beans.

It's called "double fold" for a reason: Our friends at Singing Dog use twice as many vanilla beans in their extract to pack an incredible punch.

You can use vanilla beans for extract more than once, which makes them a gift that keeps on giving. Just know that the flavor will get weaker over time. Many recommend using them no more than four times. Once you've created your first batch of vanilla extract, feel free to reuse them in the next few batches.

What is the shelf life of my vanilla extract? When stored properly, vanilla extract will keep indefinitely, but using it within five years will allow for best flavor and aroma. Do not refrigerate or freeze, even after opening.

Vanilla extract doesn't just rely on alcohol to extract the essential flavors and fragrances from the vanilla bean and suspend them in a stable solution—it's also required by law to have an alcohol content of at least 35 percent.

To be exact, the FDA requires an ethyl alcohol content of at least 35% for a product to be considered vanilla extract. Before you worry about getting a buzz from your baked goods, nearly all of the alcohol from extracts evaporates in the cooking process.