Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe: Simple & Easy (2 Ingredients)
Making homemade vanilla extract is a rewarding experience that brings natural, rich flavor to all your baking and cooking projects (1).
With just two simple ingredients—vanilla beans and alcohol—you can create a product that rivals store-bought extracts and often surpasses them in flavor, purity, and quality.
In this easy-to-follow guide, we’ll walk you through making homemade vanilla extract step by step.
You’ll learn why it’s worth making your own, how to pick the best ingredients, and how long to let your extract infuse for maximum flavor.
By the end, you’ll be able to confidently create your own extract, ensuring every recipe you make has a rich, deep vanilla flavor that will leave your taste buds craving more.
What is Homemade Vanilla Extract?
To extract the natural flavor ingredients from vanilla beans, the beans are soaked in alcohol and then turned into a concentrated liquid called vanilla extract.
Alcohol serves as a solvent, drawing out the beans' aromatic oils and flavors to create an extract that can be utilized in a range of recipes, including savory foods, ice cream, cookies, and cakes.
Homemade vanilla extract is the purest form of extract (2).
Unlike store-bought versions, which often contain artificial additives, preservatives, and fillers, homemade vanilla extract is free from unnecessary chemicals.
Making it at home allows you to control the quality of the ingredients, giving you a richer, more robust flavor.
Perhaps best of all, it’s incredibly easy to make, requiring little more than time and a few simple ingredients.
Why Make Homemade Vanilla Extract?
Better Flavor
When it comes to flavor, homemade vanilla extract beats store-bought every time.
By using whole vanilla beans and high-quality alcohol, you get a much more complex and natural flavor profile.
Commercial vanilla extracts often contain artificial vanillin (a synthetic version of vanilla) and other additives to boost flavor, resulting in a less authentic taste.
With homemade extract, you’re tasting the pure, unadulterated flavor of vanilla beans, making it a superior choice for baking and cooking.
Cost-Effectiveness
While buying premium vanilla extract from the store can get expensive, making your own at home is far more affordable.
Good-quality vanilla beans are often sold in bulk, reducing the cost per bean significantly.
Plus, you only need a few vanilla beans to make a bottle of extract that will last for months, meaning that you’ll save a lot of money in the long run.
You can also refill your jar with more alcohol when the extract level gets low, so you can continue to use your beans for quite a while.
Customization
Homemade vanilla extract also allows you to customize the flavor to your liking.
By experimenting with different types of alcohol, you can create an extract with subtle notes of rum, bourbon, or even brandy.
If you prefer a sweeter extract, you can add sugar or honey to the mix.
This level of control allows you to create an extract that perfectly matches your taste preferences.
Ingredients for Homemade Vanilla Extract
To make homemade vanilla extract, you need only two main ingredients: vanilla beans and alcohol.
Vanilla Beans
The quality of your vanilla beans plays a massive role in the flavor of your extract.
Madagascar vanilla is the most readily available and widely utilized of the various types of vanilla beans.
Madagascar vanilla is the type most frequently used to make extracts because of its rich, creamy flavor.
You can also experiment with other types of vanilla beans, such as Tahitian, which has a floral and fruity aroma, or Mexican vanilla, which tends to have a smoky, earthy flavor.
Generally, you’ll need about 5–7 vanilla beans for every 8 ounces of alcohol.
You can adjust this ratio accordingly if you’re making a larger batch.
To get the most authentic flavor, purchase high-quality, whole vanilla beans rather than pre-scraped or ground beans
Alcohol Choices
The alcohol you choose will influence the flavor profile of your vanilla extract.
The most common options are vodka, rum, and bourbon, each offering a distinct flavor that complements vanilla in different ways.
Vodka is the most neutral choice, letting the vanilla beans' flavor take center stage without introducing any extra flavors. This is an excellent option if you are looking for a clean, pure vanilla flavor.
Rum adds a hint of sweetness and warmth, making it an excellent option for baked items that require vanilla. It also tastes very good with decadent desserts like molasses cookies or chocolate cakes.
Bourbon adds a rich, oaky undertone to the extract. If you love the flavor of vanilla with a hint of caramel and spice, bourbon is the way to go.
For those who don’t want to use alcohol, you can make a non-alcoholic vanilla extract using vegetable glycerin.
This alternative will give you a slightly different taste, but it can still work well in recipes where vanilla is a crucial flavor.
How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is straightforward to make and only takes a few minutes to get started.
Step 1: Prepare the Vanilla Beans
You'll need to split them open to get the most flavor out of your vanilla beans.
Use a sharp knife to slice each bean down the length, being careful not to cut all the way through.
Once the beans are split, gently scrape out the tiny seeds (known as the vanilla caviar) with the back of your knife.
The seeds are flavorful; including them in your extract will give you the wealthiest taste possible.
Step 2: Choose Your Alcohol
Once your vanilla beans are ready, choose your alcohol.
If you’re using vodka, rum, or bourbon, select a high-quality alcohol that is at least 80-proof.
You don’t need to use top-shelf liquor but avoid using lower-quality alcohols, which may negatively affect the flavor of your extract.
Step 3: Combine the Ingredients
Place the vanilla beans (and seeds) in a glass jar or bottle.
Fill the container with alcohol, making sure the beans are completely submerged.
Tightly seal the jar and keep it out of direct sunlight in a cold, dark location.
Shake the jar once daily for the first few weeks to help with the infusion process.
Step 4: Let It Infuse
The extraction process takes time.
Let the extract sit for at least 8 weeks for best results, although you can start using it earlier if necessary.
The flavor will continue to deepen and intensify over time, so be patient!
Step 5: Shake and Enjoy
After about 8eightweeks, your vanilla extract should be ready to use.
The color should be a deep amber, and the flavor will be rich and aromatic.
At this point, you can strain the extract if you prefer a smoother texture, but it’s not necessary.
How Long Will Homemade Vanilla Extract Last?
Homemade vanilla extract lasts indefinitely when stored properly.
Because it contains alcohol, which is a natural preservative, it doesn’t spoil (3).
To preserve its flavor, your extract should be stored in an excellent, dark location, such as a pantry or cupboard (4).
As time passes, the flavor will continue to develop, becoming even more intense and complex.
Final Thoughts
Making homemade vanilla extract is a simple and rewarding process that allows you to control the quality and flavor of your extract.
With just two ingredients and a little patience, you can create a product that is far superior to store-bought versions.
Whether baking cookies, making ice cream, or crafting a savory dish, homemade vanilla extract will elevate the flavor of anything you make.
Try it yourself, and soon you’ll wonder why you bought the pre-made stuff.
Take the first step towards better baking and cooking by trying your homemade vanilla extract today!
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FAQs
Which type of alcohol works best for making your vanilla extract?
Vodka is the best alcohol for making vanilla extract as it’s neutral and gives the flavor shine. Rum and bourbon are also famous for adding unique flavors to the extract.
How many vanilla beans to make 1 liter of vanilla extract?
For 1 liter of vanilla extract, you’ll need about 15–20 vanilla beans, depending on how strong you want the flavor. A standard ratio is 5–7 beans for every 8 ounces of alcohol.
Can I make vanilla extract without alcohol?
Yes, you can make vanilla extract using glycerin as an alcohol-free alternative. It will still have a vanilla flavor but will differ slightly from alcohol-based extract.
How long does it take to make homemade vanilla extract?
It takes at least 8 weeks for the vanilla beans to fully infuse with the alcohol. You can start using it sooner, but the flavor will be much stronger after several months.
Can I reuse the vanilla beans after making the extract?
While the beans will have less potency after being used for extract, you can reuse them for a smaller batch or even use them in baking projects to extract any remaining flavor.
Related Studies
Title: Vanilla Composition & Vanillin Content
This study discusses the complex flavor profile of natural vanilla extract, highlighting how various volatile compounds contribute to its unique taste compared to synthetic alternatives.
Link: http://www.celkau.in/crops/spices/Vanilla/vanilla_composition_and_vanillin_content.aspx
Title: Are Artificial Food Additives Harmful to Your Health?
This article reviews the potential health risks associated with artificial additives in food products, emphasizing the benefits of using natural ingredients like homemade vanilla extract.
Link: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/artificial-food
Title: Alcohol as a Natural Preservative in Extracts
This study explores the role of alcohol in food preservation, particularly how it inhibits microbial growth and prolongs the shelf life of extracts like vanilla.
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/vanilla-extract
Title: Economic Advantages of Buying Natural Ingredients in Bulk
This article discusses the cost benefits associated with purchasing natural ingredients like vanilla beans in bulk, highlighting significant savings for consumers.
Link: https://listonic.com/nutrition/vanilla-extract
