It’s not too early to get started on this make-ahead vanilla extract, ideal for winter gifting. Set it and forget it, and by December you’ll have a homemade pantry staple ready to add to chocolate chip cookies, a cozy cup of cocoa, or your morning coffee.

Homemade vanilla extract

Just two ingredients!stack of vanilla beans

Ingredients

20 vanilla beans (Grade B)
40 oz. vodka (80 proof)

Materials

10 clear bottles with lids
A kitchen funnel is helpful!

Yields 10 4 oz. bottles of vanilla extract

  1. Wash each bottle with soap and water, then sanitize by carefully adding boiling water to each bottle. Swirl, empty, and air dry.
  2. Split all vanilla beans lengthwise with a sharp knife or kitchen scissors, then cut in half.
  3. Place two beans in each jar (four split halves).
  4. Pour vodka into each jar to completely cover the beans.
  5. Tightly cover each jar with a lid and store in a cool, dark place.
  6. Wait a month, or two, or more! Shake each week to disperse the flavor throughout.

Alcohol-free version: Instead of vodka, you can substitute food-grade vegetable glycerin diluted with water. Mix three parts glycerin with one part water and follow the recipe as above. Glycerin may take longer to extract the vanilla flavor.

Chef’s tip: Tell your friends and family they can keep making more vanilla extract once their bottle is empty! Vanilla beans can be used two or three times. Just top with more alcohol or vegetable glycerin and shake to start the process again.