Homemade Vanilla Extract

Homemade Vanilla Extract is the purest and best vanilla extract you can get anywhere. It’s one of the simplest DIY. All you need is rum and vanilla beans along with some time.

Some more DIY recipes here – mascarpone cheese, cake flour, ganache.

I have been procrastinating making a Vanilla Extract for more than a year. And I have no reason to explain it away.

Finally, I took the plunge and used the 3 Vanilla Beans I had saved for this. Every time I look at the extract I wonder why? Why did I wait for it so long?

Just looking at it is therapeutic for me. :)

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Homemade Vanilla Extract

Making Vanilla Extract at home is the easiest part.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Total Time5 minutes mins

Course: DIY

Cuisine: Vegetarian

Keyword: Quick & Easy

Yield: 150 ml extract

Materials

• 150 ml vodka or neutral liquor of your choice like rum
• 3 vanilla beans or pods

Instructions

• Scrape out 1 bean. Put the bean, scraped pulp and remaining beans in a clean bottle.
• Pour the vodka into the bottle. Close the stopper and shake the bottle well to distribute the seeds.
• The extract will be clear for first few days and soon after it will start getting darker. After 2 weeks you can use the extract but the flavor will be very subtle.
• After 3rd week, the color should be amber and aroma is richer.

Notes

1. Source: Zoe Bakes
2. I used a vodka bottle to make extract instead of putting it in another bottle. You can use any container you prefer.
3. The number of pods will depend on the container you use.
4. The best results if you can wait out for 4-5 weeks and then use extract.
5. If using in Buttercream, strain the extract to remove any vanilla strings.
   It can be stored at room temperature forever and the flavor just keeps getting better & better.