I love having extracts in my pantry but a lot of the times they are expensive to keep buying. A little bottle of Mccormick vanilla extract runs me about $5 and it doesn’t last very long. It was only expected that soon something had to be done. I decided to take matters into my own hands by making my own. On January 13th, for the first time, I started my own batch of vanilla extract. I finally “cracked the seal” this past week and I can confidently say I won’t be looking back.

Ingredients:
Vodka (you can also use bourbon or rum)
Vanilla beans

The rule is 6-8 vanilla beans for every cup of vodka

Method:

1. Take each vanilla bean and cut it to the length of your jar – you want to make sure it’s fully covered. Slice lengthwise through only half of it, keeping one end attached. You want to expose the beans, but not necessarily allow them to fall out into the vanilla. (While this isn’t a taste issue, it does make prettier vanilla extract if you don’t have a ton of beans floating about.)

2. Place beans in a quart size mason jar and cover with vodka.

3. Place the lid on and shake it gently. Each day for about a week or so, give it a couple of shakes. After that put it in a dark cool place and shake about once a week

5. The vanilla is ready to use after about 6 weeks but I left mine sitting for 3 months. Goooood stuff. See how dusty my jar is? Shame on me.

After I took out the beans and strained it…

The extract smelt so good, I had to make a new (and bigger) batch.

So now that one will sit for about 6 months and will be even better than the first batch which I’m sure will last me a few months!

Bye For Now…..