Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe - Chisel & Fork (2024)

January 1, 2018 | Updated July 13, 2020 by Ryan 3 Comments

With vodka, bourbon and vanilla beans, you can have your own homemade vanilla extract in as little as 6 weeks. But for optimum flavor, wait 6-12 months. Even better, it is actually cheaper than store-bought vanilla extract and makes great gifts.

If you bake at all, you know how often you are using vanilla extract. The role ofvanillain sweetbaked goods is like the role of salt on the savory side. It enhances all the other flavors in the recipe. Forget to add vanilla extract and you'll realize the difference in taste immediately.

If you bake at all, you make have noticed the huge price increase in vanilla extract and vanilla beans in the past year. Part of it is based on a severe store that wrecked havoc on Madagascar and destroyed vanilla bean farms, but it's also party due to increase demand in real vanilla. Unfortunately it doesn't look like vanilla prices will be dropping anytime soon.

While vanilla beans are pricing on the surface when you buy them, they are still much cheaper than buying vanilla extract at the store. And that's where this vanilla extract recipe comes into play.

It really couldn't be easier to make. The key to it is patience and adding some extra vanilla beans. While vanilla extract can be prepared in 6 weeks, you want to give it 6 or preferably 12 months to make the really good stuff.

While buying a small bottle of vanilla extract for $10 was part of the motivation to make my own, I was also inspired by my father-in-law. For the past couple of years, he had made homemade vanilla and gave it out to family.

Most traditionally, vanilla extract recipes use just vodka and vanilla beans but I wanted to kick it up a notch with a hint of bourbon which has strong notes of vanilla, oak and caramel.

So if you're a big-time baker yourself or looking for some fun DIY gifts, give this homemade vanilla extract a try!

Recipe Ingredients

• Vodka - you want 80 proof vodka and no need to go expensive on this. Something like Smirnoff works perfect.
• Bourbon - for the same reason you don't need expensive vodka, go with a cheaper bourbon like Jim Beam.
• Vanilla beans - you want Grade B vanilla beans and can find plenty of options on Amazon.

How to Make Vanilla Extract

1. In a large glass bottle that can hold 48 ounces liquid, pour vodka and bourbon.
2. Cut vanilla beans in half. There is no need to split or scrape out the vanilla as the alcohol will extract it. Place all 40vanilla beansin bottle and shake. Place in cool, dark area and shake every couple of weeks. You want in dark area, as light will dilute the vanilla aroma. The longer it sits, the better the vanilla. I'd recommend at least 6 months or up to a year.
3. Once ready, clean and sanitize the 4 oz bottles. I recommend usingamber bottlesso the vanilla aroma stays and lasts! You can add a label and give as gifts!
4. Alternatively if you don't have a big glass bottle you can just place 3 vanilla beans in each bottle and pour 3 ounces of vodka and 1 ounce bourbon. Keep in dark place for 6 months and label when ready.

Types of Vanilla Beans

Grade B vanilla beans are drier and made for extracting purpose. While you can use Grade A, they are actually more expensive and don't lead to as good of a vanilla extract. You have three main options when it comes to vanilla beans:

• Madagascar Vanilla – the most common and has a creamy, rich flavor
• Mexican Vanilla – has a smoky flavor
• Tahitian Vanilla – has a more floral flavor

Single-Fold Vs Double-Fold Vanilla Extract

Most store-bought vanilla extract is what you call single-fold. They use about 4 vanilla beans per 8 oz of alcohol. With this vanilla extract recipe, you want to take advantage of being able to impart more flavor so I recommend using 5-6 vanilla beans per 8 oz of alcohol.

Gifting

If you want to give as gifts, you can place 3 vanilla beans in a 4 oz bottle and then add 3 oz of vodka and 1 oz of bourbon. Place a label on it to say when it's ready (at least 6 months) and then you don't have to wait to give the vanilla extract out. Of course the people you give them to will have to wait to use it... if they can!

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

• No need to go expensive with the alcohol. Use cheap 80 proof alcohol.
• If you prefer bourbon, you can use more bourbon than vodka.
• Use Grade B vanilla beans as they're cheaper and meant for extracting.
• Keep the ratio of 5-6 vanilla beans per 8 oz of alcohol for the best quality vanilla extract.
• For best quality, have your vanilla extract sit for at least 6 months in a dark area.

Recipes to Use Vanilla Extract

• Spice Cake
• Pecan Sugar Cookies
• Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting
• Chocolate Hazelnut Bars
• Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Skillet Cookie

If you’ve tried this homemade vanilla extractor any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow meonFacebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.