How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract

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How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract

Chris Davis

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Step 1 of 12

Here are the ingredients...the bottles are 250 mL bottles from The Container Store. For the kids, since you can't buy vodka.... Just steal it from your parents....Shhhhhh!

Step 2 of 12

It's best practice to boil some water and sterilize your bottles, cutting board and knife. Just pour the water into the bottles and let them cool. Dump the water and let them dry.

Step 3 of 12

Cut the ends off the beans...not your finger. If you're really cool you'll use a $4 ikea cutting board like this guy did.

Step 4 of 12

Cut the beans in half. Make sure they are even halves. I know you can do it, and if you can't...Just give up cooking now because you're hopeless. I'd recommend just drinking the vodka and crying a bit

Step 5 of 12

Gently cut them open length wise. Don't cut all the way through, just enough to split the pod open. Use a sharp knife. You could try a butter knife but that will fail and your family will laugh at you

Step 6 of 12

Scrape the beans out of the pod. Do it exactly as I show because there is no other way to do things because I am the best at everything. Ok I'm kidding, find a way that works for you.

Step 7 of 12

Put them in the bottle. It should be empty. If it is not perhaps you had a bit of the vodka and misread this guide.

Step 8 of 12

Put the empty pods in the bottle with the beans. If you want you can save a bean or two, cut it open length wise like the others but don't scrape it. Put the whole thing in there.

Step 9 of 12

Pour the booze in now. You're all in now. If you stole it from your Dad, make sure to fill the bottle back up with water so you don't get caught. You can thank me later.

Step 10 of 12

Shake it like a Polaroid picture. Give the bottle a shake for a few seconds. Make sure the cap is on!

Step 11 of 12

You're done. For now at least. It has to age for at least 6-8 weeks before you can use. Give it a shake a couple times a week. You don't have to but you can filter it before you use.

Step 12 of 12

Give it some time and it will start looking great!!

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!

Chris Davis

Minneapolis MN

Love to make things. Love cooking. Engineering and design and everything in between.

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1 Cup Vodka

6 Vanilla Beans

1 Sealable Glass Bottle

Thanks ::)

Tal Zur 3 weeks ago

Ok sorry to break out the science on you but here I go.......In order to be classified as an extract the solution must have at least 35% alcohol. The alcohol is what helps "extract" the vanilla flavor from the beans. So if you boiled it I think you may end up with a weaker flavor. To be fair you could use my method and just use it early.... I've used it as soon as 3 weeks later :) It's all personal preference!! Good luck!!!

Chris Davis (author) 3 weeks ago

One of my favourite guides so far!! You made me laugh :))) Just wandered, bringing small amount of the vodka required, to boil with the vannila, than putting with the rest of the vodka will get the alcohol out but probably will shorten up the 6-8 weeks time of waiting.. What do you think?

Tal Zur 3 weeks ago

You definitely added a twist to Snapguide! I enjoyed reading every step and description. I will be making it soon thank you so much 😊

Guillermo Rodriguez last month

Cool guide. I love your sense of humour, I couldn't stop smiling or laughing while reading it. Thank you :)

Alina Alina 5 months ago

That's fantastic! 👍Nothing beats the real thang!! Many thanks for the awesome guide 😄

Serene Snapguider 6 months ago

Absolutely you can!! I use it in Pie, Ice Cream, quick breads, cake! It is the same as any other vanilla extract... It just tastes better!

Chris Davis (author) 6 months ago

What a funny guide! 😆love it!! Can i use this extract in cake baking - fake vanilla essence makes me cringe 🙊

Serene Snapguider 6 months ago

Haha this is most awesome. Humor points++

Toni Tallman 6 months ago

Made some today! Ordered the beans for a great price from Amazon and little brown bottle to package it! I also will make little labels on the computer and gift it to friends for Valentine's Day. Thanks for the guide!

Natalie G 6 months ago

Love your humor and the guide lol

Iwona Amaefule 6 months ago

Funny guide and great idea. As others have pointed out, good for Xmas gifts! I would like to meet the kid who picks up drinking due to all his years spent making homemade vanilla extract...lol

Meredith Wheeler 7 months ago

Omg you are not only hilarious but a lot of fun and informative!! I adore your humor. Can't wait for more!!!

Olga Harris 7 months ago

I'll just buy my vanilla extract. But I DID enjoy the commentary! Keep on posting and I'll keep followin'!😀

Diana Lane 7 months ago

You should use at least 6-8 beans per bottle

Chris Davis (author) 7 months ago

About how many vanilla beans per bottle?

Robin Mcafee 7 months ago

Glad you liked it!!!

Chris Davis (author) 7 months ago

Loved the commentary...I laughed a lot. I needed it today, thx Chris!

Kim McMahan 7 months ago

Typical store bought versions last upwards of 5 years or more assuming it is stored with a lid and not mixed with anything. This recipe should last just as long however I would take the beans and pods out after 4-6 months just to be safe.

Chris Davis (author) 7 months ago

How long does the extract last for ? Can you keep them at the shelf, basically for as long as you want or will it go off?

Vaie Mendizabal 7 months ago

I have not tried a different alcohol but I've been told rum works really well too! Next time I might give rum a shot just to compare! I hope you give it a try! Let me know how it works out :)

Chris Davis (author) 7 months ago

I just loved reading the different steps of your recipe ! It ' s really funny and one day i will do the recipe. I think i will use rum because i think it's great with vanilla ( plus i don't have vodka at home and i'm sure my father doesn't have any either 🔥 !!!!! ) I have a great rum a friend brought me back from a vacation in Martinique (French Caribbean Island). Have you ever used a different alcohol ?

Jens Sophie 7 months ago

You're funny! I really like your guide!

Andrómeda Rivera 7 months ago

Very cool! I can hardly wait to do this!

Mary Martin 7 months ago

Thanks, that was fun & a great guide!

Karin Siöö 7 months ago

Thank you! Awesome-

Christine Denning 7 months ago

Add a but if Rum for great vanilla!

Marge Bowen 7 months ago

Christmas present is a great idea!

Alicia Cowan 7 months ago

Haha so funny!!! Xxx

Olivia Richardson 7 months ago

I have heard you can use food grade types of Glycerin with some water as an alternative to the alcohol. I have never tried it though. If you do, let me know how it works out!

Chris Davis (author) 7 months ago

Omg.. Your hilarious. But what if we don't want to use alcohol?

Valerie Brown 7 months ago

Thank you everyone!!!! I love making these guides, I hope you all enjoy them!

Chris Davis (author) 7 months ago

Loved reading this so much I'm going to make it!

Sarah Shaw 8 months ago

Love this! Funny & great instructions!

Laura Curran 8 months ago

I've just now been inspired to make this as an easy but awesome Christmas gift!!

Erika Spencer 8 months ago

This is great! Hope you make more!

Annie Trujillo 8 months ago

Funniest guide EVER!

Tonia L. Clark (whynotmom.com) 8 months ago

Great Xmas presents!

Zac Trump 8 months ago

Hilarious, and a great guide.

Steven Schnepp 8 months ago

Love it! The vanilla and the booze! Excellent guide!

Anthony Macpherson 8 months ago

Thank you for your humor and the guide.

A Kimball 8 months ago

It really comes down to where you get your ingredients. If you use cheaper vodka and have a good source of Vanilla beans it will be much cheaper than the store. Regardless, It will be a higher quality than the store bought stuff, and much better than the imitation vanilla. The longer you let is age the better it will be! Good luck :)

Chris Davis (author) 8 months ago

True comment. Also, thanks for the guide. Cool trick. Does it end up cheaper than buying from store?

Melissa Brown 8 months ago

Thanks everyone!!! And concerning the kids, first I am being fairly sarcastic throughout and I am joking about letting the kids have access to the Vodka. Second, all real vanilla extract is made using alcohol. Third, there are many guides on here about mixing drinks. Last, if kids are going to drink, it is not going to be because they read a guide about vanilla extract.

Chris Davis (author) 8 months ago