• Superior Flavor: You control the quality of your ingredients, leading to a richer, more complex vanilla flavor. 🌟
• Cost-Effective: Over time, making your own can be more economical than buying high-quality extracts. 💰
• Great for Gifting: Beautifully bottled homemade vanilla extract is a thoughtful and appreciated gift for any baker. 💝

Ingredients 🌿🍶

• Vanilla Beans: 5-8 whole vanilla beans per 8 oz (240 ml) of alcohol. Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans are popular for their classic, creamy flavor, but you can also experiment with Tahitian (floral, fruity) or Mexican (smoky, spicy) beans. For a richer extract, use more beans. 🍮
• Alcohol: 8 oz (240 ml) of 80 proof (40% ABV) alcohol. Vodka is the most common choice as it has a neutral flavor and allows the vanilla to shine. You can also use bourbon, rum, or brandy for a different flavor profile. 🥂

Equipment 🛠️

• Clean, airtight glass bottle or jar (dark glass is preferable, but not essential if stored in a dark place). 🍾
• Sharp knife or kitchen shears. 🔪✂️
• Cutting board. 🪵
• Funnel (optional, for pouring alcohol). funnel

Instructions 📝

1. Prepare the Vanilla Beans:

   Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, carefully split each vanilla bean lengthwise down the center, leaving about an inch intact at the top. This exposes the tiny vanilla seeds (the caviar) and allows them to infuse the alcohol more effectively. If your jar is too short, you can cut the beans in half or thirds after splitting. 🔪🌱
    

2. Place Beans in Bottle:

   Place the prepared vanilla beans into your clean glass bottle or jar. 📥
    

3. Add Alcohol:

   Carefully pour the alcohol of your choice over the vanilla beans, ensuring they are fully submerged. If any beans float, you can gently press them down with a spoon or add a small glass weight if desired, but they usually settle over time. 🍾 pouring_liquid
    

4. Seal and Shake:

   Seal the bottle tightly with its lid. Give it a good shake to ensure everything is well combined. 🔒 lắc
    

5. Store and Wait:

   Store the bottle in a cool, dark place, like a pantry or cupboard. Shake the bottle gently once a week or whenever you remember. This helps to distribute the vanilla flavor evenly. 🤫🌃
    

6. Infuse and Enjoy:

   The extract will be ready to use in about 8 weeks, but for the best flavor, allow it to infuse for 6 months to a year. The longer it sits, the more intense and complex the flavor will become. The extract will darken over time, which is normal. ⏳😋
    

Tips for Success ✨

• Quality Beans: The quality of your vanilla beans directly impacts the flavor of your extract. Look for plump, moist, and pliable beans. 💯
• Top Off: As you use your extract, you can continue to top it off with more alcohol, and even add a new vanilla bean every year or so, to create a perpetual vanilla extract. 🔄♾️
• Don't Discard: Once your extract is ready, you can leave the beans in the bottle. You can also dry them out and use them to make vanilla sugar, or even rinse and dry them to add to coffee grounds for a hint of vanilla flavor. ♻️☕
• Be Patient: This is the hardest part! Good things come to those who wait, and homemade vanilla extract is definitely one of them. 🙏😊