I’ve been meaning to share How to Make Homemade Vanilla for a couple of years now and finally – just in time for Christmas – I’m sharing 🙂
I use a lot of vanilla (as you can imagine) and if you’ve bought any lately, you know it’s expensive. Actually, it’s always been expensive so when I realized I could make it myself and potentially save a bunch of money, I knew I had to try it.
And you know what? It’s so good. And it’s really easy. I mean really easy. And it saves money. Oh, and it makes a fantastic gift!
Last year I bought some small bottles, printed sticker labels for them, wrapped a pretty ribbon around the top and voila – a pretty, homemade gift that I knew would be used and loved by all (or almost all) of the ladies in my life. Some of the ladies in my life don’t bake. But I’m not naming names. {ahem, Mama}.
Speaking of gifts, if you think this is something you’d like to make to give as Christmas gifts – now (October!) is the perfect time to get started. The vanilla needs at least 8 -10 weeks to really be good and flavorful. Today? It’s 11 weeks until Christmas.
Okay – so back to the vanilla. It only has 2 ingredients. TWO. And while you can buy pretty bottles and jars for it if you like – you can also make it in Ball jars – which is what I do when making it for myself. Or even better, I make it straight up in a bottle of rum.
So, are you ready for the mind-blowing recipe? Here are the ingredients: rum (or another kind of alcohol) and vanilla beans. That’s it!
Most recipes that I found called for vodka and when I made my first batch more than 2 years ago, I used vodka. But after some more research and experimenting, I decided that I prefer light (or white) rum best. The vanilla seems to be a little sweeter when I make it with rum. It’s not a huge difference, so don’t stress over it, but these days, I make all of my vanilla with light rum.
Also, there are several varieties of vanilla beans. Madagascar Bourbon, Mexican, Tahitian.. to name a few. I use Madagascar Bourbon. Why? Again, after a lot of reading and research, they seem to be the preferred bean of most bakers and they’re a less expensive variety while still making amazing extract. I’ve also tried Mexican vanilla beans and they’re pretty great too.
Where should you get the beans? Not at your local grocery store. They’re way less expensive if you order online. I’ve bought from Beanilla and been very happy, but I’ve also bought them on Amazon and they worked great too!
Grade B beans (also called Extract Grade beans) are best for making extract. I know you might think that Grade A beans would be better, but they’re not – at least not when it comes to making homemade vanilla extract. It has something to do with water content and how dry they are, but all I know is – Grade B is better. So there.
As for the alcohol, there’s no reason to buy expensive, high-proof alcohol. An inexpensive 40% (80 proof) alcohol will work just fine. Some people prefer using a mid-grade alcohol, not cheap-cheap but not too expensive. I usually buy the cheapest white/light rum I can get my hands on. And as I mentioned above, vodka is most common, but you can also use rum, bourbon, gin, brandy, etc.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Vanilla Beans
- Rum, Vodka, Brandy, Gin (whichever alcohol you prefer)
- Cutting Board
- Sharp Knife
- Bottles, Jars, etc. – see links below! (unless you want to make it IN your alcohol bottle and use it straight from there)
- Funnel (if you’re going to be pouring into smaller jars/bottles)
I use pint jars for making most of mine, or I make it straight in the bottle of rum. When I get ready to use it, I put it into an old vanilla bottle from a store (with a squirt lid, like this), one of these pretty swing bottles, or these smaller 4 oz. bottles that are great for gift size.
Okay… let’s get this show on the road!
Here’s How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract:
1. Cut the ends off the beans and split them lengthwise. I don’t cut them completely in half, but cut off both ends of each bean (just a tiny bit) then draw a sharp knife down the length of each bean just to open it up a bit. I prefer to put the whole beans in the jars/bottles but some methods suggest scraping out the vanilla bean seeds and scraping those into the bottles. Either way works! I also throw the tiny ends in one of the jars… no reason to waste those!
2. Place the beans into your bottles/jars and completely cover with alcohol. If you’re using smaller bottles, you may have to cut the beans to the right length. Just make sure that the beans are completely submersed in alcohol. That’s very important! As a general rule, use 3 to 5 vanilla beans per 8 ounces of alcohol. For my 16 oz. (pint) mason jars, I put in 8 beans.
3. Shake them up and place them in a cool dark place. I put mine on the top shelf of our hall closet. I also put a reminder on my phone so that I remember to go shake them weekly. The beans need to infuse into the alcohol for at least 8 weeks. I’ve read that some use it after 6 weeks but in my experience, that’s just not long enough.
I say a minimum of 8 weeks up to 12 weeks. In fact, you can actually let it continue to sit for up to a year as long as the beans stay submerged. If any of the alcohol evaporates, you’ll need to top off your bottles with alcohol to keep the beans covered. Why? If exposed to air for a long time, they’ll mold. Ask me how I know.
4. Enjoy!! Your vanilla is ready to use! This vanilla has been in my closet for at least 2 months… maybe even 4 months. I lost track. A great way to not lose track is to write the date on the lid of your jar with a marker – or put a note on your calendar.
What do you do with the beans when the vanilla is ready to use? I like to leave the beans in the vanilla as long as possible (sometimes even topping off my bottles with more rum or vanilla from another jar), but you could also strain out the beans and/or seeds using cheesecloth or even a coffee filter if you don’t want any flecks of vanilla in your extract.
When the beans are eventually exposed, you will need to remove them from the extract. At this point, you can scrape out the seeds to use for vanilla bean buttercream, homemade ice cream, vanilla sugar, or any other yummy dessert you can dream up!
Since I go through vanilla pretty fast, I keep mine in my rum bottles or mason jars until I pour it into my squirt bottle to use But if you want to give the vanilla as gifts or keep it long-term, it’s best to store them in dark-colored glass bottles. I go through vanilla so fast that I don’t bother with that, but when I give it as gifts, I use the small 4 oz. amber bottles pictured here:
Here’s my finished vanilla in other bottles/jars:
These are some new bottles I just found at Hobby Lobby last week. I put some vanilla in a few of them and it’s so much prettier than the plastic bottle I had been using. I think I make do this from now on… just for the pretty factor!
To give as gifts, I fancied up the bottles by adding labels and raffia or ribbon.
I designed my labels on Picmonkey (took about 10 minutes), then cut them out with a scalloped paper punch, punched a hole and tied them onto the jar with some raffia. Last year I found some pretty labels and printed them on sticker paper and put a ribbon around the top. Get creative and have fun but don’t stress – it’ll be a great gift no matter what!
Do you have any questions? Leave me a comment!! I can’t wait for you all to make and try this – I promise you’ll never want to buy vanilla from a store again!
This post is linked up at Works for Me Wednesday!
Wife to Richy. Mommy to 6 kids. Homeschool Teacher. Jesus Freak. Good Books. Baker. Friend. Loves to Laugh. Photographer. Chocolate Addict. Mathematician. Pink. Diet Dr. Pepper-aholic. Cook. Flip-Flops. Ponytails. Loud Music. Writer. Budget-er. Chocolate Milk. Pillow Hog. Late-night TV & Junk Food.
Forgive my ignorance bit is this the extract you’d use in baking and preparing buttercream? I didn’t realise there was so much alcohol in it. Thanks x
Yes, this is exactly what you would use for baking and making buttercream. All pure vanilla extracts have alcohol in them. Store-bought vanilla is actually required by the FDA to include a minimum of 35% alcohol (70 proof) and a specific weight of beans per gallon to be labeled “pure”. Even McCormick’s vanilla extract uses 70 proof alcohol (among many other ingredients). By making it yourself, you’re simply excluding all of the non essential ingredients and getting a truly pure product!
What is the shelf life of home made vanilla extract once ready for use?
Some say indefinitely. In general, because it is a form of liqueur, vanilla extract should last “forever”. I’ve had jars/bottles for a couple of years and with the beans in it, it continues to get better and better! Of course, as I said above, if the beans become exposed, you should remove them, but the vanilla should last a long, long time – as in years and years (rum and vodka don’t go bad!).
Thanks for this recipe! I will definitely be ordering some vanilla beans and making some this week! I can’t tell you how much vanilla extract I go through! I can’t wait to make it and use and make it for Christmas presents!
hi rose,
love this!! just curious though – how does this compare in PRICE and TASTE to good madagascar bourbon vanilla?
I love making things myself, but I was just wondering what else (besides getting the unnecessary ingredients out – and I’m ALL about that!) is the incentive for making your own vanilla?
thanks for all your great ideas and tips (and OFFERS – just got the digital photog bundle!!)…
This vanilla is as good as any I’ve ever bought (and I’ve tried several brands/varieties) and it’s less than half the price (per ounce) of good quality pure vanilla extract. I suppose that price might vary depending on how much you spend on alcohol and where you buy your beans (in-store is considerably more than online) but for me, it absolutely saves money!
awesome! :0)
can’t wait to try it. I go through A LOT of vanilla. and I love the light rum idea, I’d only ever heard vodka… thanks again!
I met an herbalist while I was in a food co-op. I had heard of using vodka, but she suggested using golden rum. My vanilla has been “marinating” for around 6 weeks, now. It looks beautiful and smells SO good! I can’t wait to use it in my annual Christmas cookie baking extravaganza!
Yes – I love to use golden rum and that’s been my go-to for my two most recent batches! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Oh, how wonderful. I’m already picturing pretty little bottles of vanilla in my holiday gift baskets! Pinned it, thanks so much for sharing. Now wouldn’t it be neat to find some tiny fun vintage bottles…. another thing to add to the “need” list!
You’re very welcome – I hope you find the perfect pretty bottles! xx
This is awesome! I guess you really can make everything yourself if you just try. Who needs grocery stores?? 😉
such a cute gift! love this one and it’s fun making it haha. thanks for sharing this ♥
Darn, I wish I would have read this a few weeks ago, oh well. I can put it on my homemade spice hack list for the beginning of the year projects. Thanks so much for posting this! Pinning now! I’d love it it you’d link it up at Worthwhile Wednesdays Link Party!
http://www.craftyallieblog.com/2015/11/worthwhile-wednesdays-93.html
Allie (www.craftyallieblog.com)
You could still make it and give as Christmas gifts and it would just about be ready… just add a note that it needs to “brew” for “x” more days/weeks before it’s ready to use!
Totally doing this! Thanks for sharing!
Love this idea! So simple yet cute! Love your packaging too. Thanks for sharing with us at the Merry Monday link party. I hope you’ll join us again next week. Sharing your post on Twitter!
Thanks a bunch!!
Hey Rose,
I’ve featured this post on Worthwhile Wednesdays! Come on by and claim your featured button, and link up again!
Thanks,
Allie (www.craftyallieblog.com)
Awesome, thank you!
I love this idea for homemade vanilla extract. It has always been a challenge for me to find affordable and authentic vanilla extract for my baking projects. Thank you! I will follow your instructions on how to make this.
Good deal – best of luck with it!
Do you re-use your vanilla beans after they’ve made one batch of vanilla? I’ve read about doing that, but I didn’t know if it would make a less-potent vanilla. Thanks!
I sometimes scrape them out and make vanilla sugar or use the paste in a recipe (like ice cream or vanilla bean frosting)… and other times I just toss them. I’ve never tried making a second batch of vanilla with them.
How many beans do you use per 4 oz jar? I make my own vanilla constantly and I’ve made the 4 oz bottles before for gifts, but I cannot for the life of me remember how many to put in the small bottles.
I don’t make it in the little jars. I make big bottles then pour it into the smaller bottles and add one bean.
Miss Baking Genius, I have a question. Any idea how long vanilla beans are good for? I purchase some, some time ago and they have been in a sealed container, but I’m wondering if I should purchase new beans instead of using these ones… Thoughts? (Thank you in advance!)
Genius?? hahahahhahahahaha … you’re funny Leila! Okay – so seriously, they will usually last at least a year. I learned the hard way that if you keep them in the frig, they’ll mold but anywhere cool & dry is good! This post has lots of great info: http://bakingbites.com/2011/06/how-long-do-vanilla-beans-last/.
Thank you!!!
I use Black Vanilla from Dominican Republic(have you ever tried it) Not always I can find people to bring me some. I’ll love to try make this recipe. I’ll let you know probably after Christmas how I did.
The recipe will be:
3-5 vanilla beans
8onz light rum
Store on a cool dark place
8-12 weeks before can be used
Hope this is correct.
I haven’t heard of Black Vanilla, but thanks for stopping by!
Dear Rose It’s a perfect gift. Tomorrow I’ll buy beans, rhum and bottles to make the vainilla. Then I ‘ll choose nice tapes, mistltoe, some green, some red ……You are a wonderful friend. Sophia
Awesome!!
I just finished making my first batch of vanilla extract and am very excited to use it in all of my baking projects! I used vodka with this batch because I didn’t realize I could use different alcohol. Have you ever mixed the alcohols, for example: rum and vodka?
I haven’t ever mixed alcohols but I can’t think of any reason it wouldn’t work!
If you are giving the vanilla as a gift, do you take out the beans before you give it?
I don’t!
I’m excited to give this a try for myself and for gifts! What baker wouldn’t love a gift of homemade extract!
So…. could this be made in large mason jars, and then poured into “cute” bottles for gift giving, or should it be left in the individual bottle it was brewed in..
I have read of making vanilla before, and heaven only knows why I have never tried it. Thanks again for the cute tutorial. It is such a lovely idea for that perfect, small gift. 🙂
YES!! I actually make it straight in the rum bottles most of the time, then pour it into the smaller ones when I’m ready to gift it!
when you pour into the pretty bottles, do you remove the vanilla beans?
I like to include a bean or a piece of a bean, but you don’t have to!
Thank you for sharing your recipe and tricks for creating vanilla.
So fab for the baker and for gifts. I have shared on Create,Inspire, Love…
http://miabellapassion.blogspot.co.nz/2016/10/create-inspire-love-20.html
THanks so much!
Must you use a clear bottle to make the vanilla extract? Can it be made in brown or blue bottles?
Any color will be fine!
Thanks for sharing your experience and expertise! I just finished making 12 – 4 oz bottles of homemade vanilla! And will soon be making more–so fun and so easy. So, Rose, do you prefer the golden rum to the white/light rum?
Thanks so much!
Elaine
The difference in the white vs. golden is very subtle but I do like it a tiny bit better. I’ve just changed it up to try different alcohols… either way, I definitely prefer either kind of rum over vodka. I’m so glad you tried the recipe and I know you’ll love the outcome!
How many beans do I put in the bottle of rum? I was looking and you buy them individually so was wondering how many to buy
Well, bottles of rum come in different sizes, but the I think I usually put 10-12 beans in the really big bottles I buy.
Sold! I can’t wait to try this out. Thank you for sharing!
Awesome!
I made some vanilla last August and used a bottle of vodka and 25 beans. Now looking at recipes online I think I might not have enough beans in the jar. Seven cups of vodka should take at least 35 beans not 25 like I used. Any suggestions on him e I can make this right on time for Christmas? Should I add a couple beans to each 4oz bottle and add instructions in when to use?
There are lots of variations in recipes. Is your vanilla dark? If so, I’m sure it’s great. If not, sometimes the recipes have to be adjusted based on the size of your bottle and/or the quality or potency of your vanilla beans. You could absolutely add more beans if you want and let it continue to soak, but if it’s dark and aromatic, it’s probably fine.
Thanks Rose. Fingers crossed
I made this vanilla. But I do not think I had enough beans in my jar. Can I add more beans and let it soak again? Or is it ruined? I also tried brandy..again do not think I used enough beans….
Never ruined!! You can absolutely add more beans and/or let it soak longer! I’ve had that happen in the past – I think some beans are just as strong as others and take more time or beans.
HELP…I made my vanilla extract in September for Christmas gifts. It’s been in the cupboard, shaken on occasion. The color looks good, but it smells awful, like straight alcohol. I spent about $40 on beans and $20 on booze. Should I order more beans? I don’t think it will work for Christmas this year, but I’m hoping that it’s salvageable. Thanks for your help.
Ohmygoodness! I’ve never had that happen. It will smell more like alcohol than store-bought vanilla because the store-bought kind is generally diluted with water, but it should also have a rich, vanilla scent. If it doesn’t, I’d recommend giving it more time and/or adding another bean or two. It might speed it up some by splitting the bean and scraping the seeds directly into the liquid. If you want to give it as gifts, add a split bean to the bottle (and leave it in) along with a note on the tag that the vanilla will be ready to use in 4 weeks (or however long). That way it’ll continue to infuse after it’s given.
How many times can you refill the bottles using the same vanilla beans?
I don’t recommend refilling the bottles and using the beans over and over. You could top it off a couple of times, but they will lose their potency if you try to reuse them to infuse another entire bottle of alcohol.
Hi Rose. My parents went to Mexico and brought back vanilla seeds. Thete were pods too but I have a large vile of the seeds. Vould i fo the same thing with the seeds as i would with the pods? I hope you understand what I’m asking.
Thank you so much.
Thanks so much for this. I go through vanilla a lot, not quite as quickly as you. Thanks for answering all your posts – they answered all my questions.
Have a great day!!
Robin