The title should really read “The Gift That Keeps On Giving”, because today I’m writing about a seemingly endless supply of vanilla extract! Updated May, 2016.
This last weekend we were privileged to be involved in the wedding of a dear friend who we love very much. For her bridesmaid’s shower, my daughter wanted to include a gift to appeal to her practical nature and love of baking aromatic breads and pastries. We felt a large bottle of Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract was in order.
We had fresh Madagascar (planifolia) vanilla beans
Why pay more for store-bought vanilla extract when you can make your own much higher quality vanilla extract for way less? All you need is 2 ingredients: vanilla beans and alcohol.
‘Perpetual ‘ Vanilla Extract
What you will need:
~8-10 vanilla beans, split lengthwise to expose the vanilla seeds
~80 proof vodka to cover the beans
~a bottle with a stopper or lid that seals tightly (ours is 16 oz. bottle)
Directions:
Rule of thumb: Use 4 to 5 vanilla beans per 8 ounces of alcohol and multiply accordingly if making more extract.
Simply add the beans to your favorite bottle, cover with vodka, and cap tightly. Place the bottle in a cool, dark place for at least 8 weeks, shaking it whenever you think of it. As time goes on the liquid will become dark amber and the smell and flavor will grow stronger.
What Makes It Perpetual?
The alcohol basically preserves the vanilla beans, making their rich flavor last and last. Like fine wine, the extract gets better and stronger with age. The shelf life is basically forever. When the vanilla extract is ready… use it like normal when baking. When your vanilla gets down to about half full, top it off with more alcohol and shake it up. You may want to add a few more vanilla beans every few years to intensify the flavor, but what I’ve read says even that is not necessary.
Have fun adding your creative touches to this unique gift… then wait to hear the oohs! and ahhs! when it is opened 🙂
Also, now may be the time to plan ahead to make Vanilla Extract for holiday baking this fall.
We’ve ordered vanilla beans here and on Amazon
Other ideas: Use the beans to flavor your sugar or your coffee. Just add a few whole beans to whatever containers you have and leave them for weeks to infuse it with rich vanilla aroma and flavor! But don’t throw them away after they have done their magic! You can use them over again or put them into your vanilla extract bottle when you top it up!
What are some other ways you have used vanilla beans?
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Thanks for reading!
Toni says
What a wonderful idea for a shower gift. The bottle and tag are just beautiful. My daughters, granddaughters and I were in Texas, near the border, a few years ago for a wedding and went into Mexico to do some shopping so I bought some vanilla beans. I made vanilla sugar and need to go ahead and start some extract, lol, it’s only been three years. Thanks for the nudge. 😉
Jacqueline says
You sound like me, Toni~ we have so many things we would like to do and sometimes it takes a while to get there!! I’ll be over to visit soon 🙂
Charlotte Moore says
I have made vanilla extract 3 times since I heard of it. I also did vanilla sugar. I keep forgetting to use it though. HAHA!!! I also made some lemon, orange, mint, and almond extract. I use lots of vanilla in pies, muffins, cakes, and protein shakes.
I also tried some with rum and bourbon.
I have read the same thing about adding more vodka as you use it. It just seems to me like it would be too much alcohol to the amount of vanilla after you had used half of it.
Jacqueline says
Charlotte,
Hello, there!
May I explain it this way~ the vanilla beans are tremendously powerful and rich…there is way more available than we can use up. It takes a long, long time to deplete the goodness and flavoring ability.
Question if you see this: did you like the results of the other extracts? How did it turn out with the rum and bourbon? I am making an orange extract right now (with vodka) and was wondering about these others. Thoughts?
Karen says
I followed an article that you wrote a bit ago and you included a link where you can buy the vanilla beans. So I bought mine and made a batch and it is definitely so much more “vanilla-y” 😀 Thanks so much, dear Jacque Line! <3
Jacqueline says
Oh, Karen, I forgot Saffron.com~ I liked their product, too! It is nice to ‘see’ you!! I wish we were neighbors 🙂
Bethany says
We’ve tried almond and mint before but not so sure about it…. when we opened the mint jar it smelled awful (we had some fermentation going on) and the almond….well we tried it once but it wasn’t very almond-y at all, and since then we haven’t been able to get the lid off 😛 We’ve tried vanilla too but we’re almost afraid to open it. Is it really important that it’s in a cool spot? We just stuck ours in the cupboard so maybe that is the reason.
Jacqueline says
Hmmm…Hi, Bethany!
By cool, I mean room temperature. Probably under 78-80 degrees would be just fine. Our house is often 76 in the summer, but we keep the humidity low with a dehumidifier. I hope that helps. Any 80 proof vodka should preserve anything. Did the mint float? If so, it may have molded. The herb should be covered totally. Shaking every day or other also will keep the herb you are extracting wet. If you try the vanilla, I’d love to hear what you found! Thanks!
Bethany says
Well we tried the mint twice – the first time it would float after we shook it so the next time I filled it to the tippy top with the vodka but maybe there was still enough air in the top that it got yucky. I will have to think of a way to keep the leaves scrunched down in the bottom…..hmmm. Well we’re planning to open the vanilla in the next couple days so hopefully that one worked out well. I’m excited so I hope it did!
Jacqueline says
Me, too, Bethany! I can’t wait to hear that it was GOOD!!!! Let me know, OK? 🙂
Jacqueline says
Bethany,
I have tried to go to your site fretknotjewelry.blogspot.com/ twice and cannot open your page…I will try again in a day or so…Blessings, dearie!
Bethany says
Okay I’ll let you know how it goes!! We’re almost out of our “store vanilla” right now so we’ll probably open it soon.
Hmmm. I’m not sure why my page isn’t working. I just tried it and it worked for me….. Maybe try yet again? Does it not load at all?
Jacqueline says
Hey, It opened first time! My internet connection has been horrible for 2 days, so maybe that is it! Glad I tried again 🙂 See you there!
Renee says
Ooh, I’m going to have to try this recipe, & experiment making other extracts, too! 🙂
Lorinda says
I like the way McCormick’s vanilla tastes in recipes. I prefer it to the vanilla that is brought back from Mexico. How does homemade compare in taste to McCormick’s? Perhaps since McCormick’s is what I grew up with that’s how I expect vanilla to smell and flavor recipes . When you began using your homemade vanilla, did you have to get used to a new flavor of vanilla?
Jacqueline says
Hi, Lorinda!
I have found that there is a big difference in taste from one species to another. The three most common types of vanilla are Mexican, Bourbon (or Bourbon-Madagascar) and Tahitian. Each has its own unique smell and flavor… Mexican is strong & spicy, Bourbon is bold & floral and Tahitian is lively & fruity. I also like McCormick’s but just like the richer taste of Madagascar Bourbon better. To me it is fuller and very heady…hard to put into words! Especially amazing in rice pudding custard and homemade ice cream!
Gail says
Neat idea that appeals to taste and smell plus looks pretty in the bottle. Thanks for this idea. And it’s neat to know you can add a few new vanilla beans after several years and keep using it. You are so full of wise homemaking advice.
Dee Carmichael says
Oh Jacqueline,
I love this idea. I didn’t even know that such a thing could be done. I will be trying this soon. Thanks for your encouragement to love the life at home that our dear Lord has blessed us with.
angel says
I have made vanilla sugar that was a HUGE hit!
http://angelnavywife.blogspot.com/2010/09/homemade-christmas-gifts.html
Phyllis Sather says
I just got the Madagascar vanilla beans so I’ll pick up some vodka tomorrow – does any brand work?
I’m really looking forward to trying this. Do you have a good place to get pretty bottles?
Jacqueline says
Hi, Phyllis,
We have had used Smirnoff and Svedka, both on the lower end price wise, but 80 proof, and the pretty bottles came from Target and Meijer. Have fun baking with it and sharing it with friends…I think they will love the aromatic taste difference 🙂 Blessings!
Phyllis Sather says
Thanks – I’ll check that out.
Bethany says
Well we opened our vanilla extract finally!! It tastes good baked into things and such but it smells and tastes more like the vodka (compared to the store-bought) if I just take a lick of it. Is yours like that?
Jacqueline says
I haven’t tasted it, but the smell and results in baked goods is divine! I’m glad yours tastes good in baked goods, anyway!
Bethany says
Hmm, well I’m enjoying using it anyway. I figure the vodka cooks of anyway, so I’m not too concerned. It does taste yummy in things!
Leah says
Just found your blog from a shared post on Facebook. Can’t stop reading! Thank you so much for sharing all of this useful information!!!
Jacqueline says
leah, I am so thankful that I have the privilege of sharing. To God be the glory :0
Chris Gass says
Truly enjoy your website and your wisdom. I will try this vanilla very soon. God gave us such a variety of foods and healing herbs!
I have a question please about tinctures made with alcohol. I just this week decanted five herbal tinctures that I made with Vodka. The Elderberry, Chamomile, Echinacea, and Comfrey all looked like a dark, but not opaque liquid. However, the St Johns Wort looks like muddy water. It has a more “fermented” smell also. Should I just discard it or do you know if this is normal for that herb? My dried herbs were all organic herbs from Mountain Rose. Thanks, GrammyC
Jacqueline says
Oh, dear Grammy C! I wish I could help with a really wise answer :-/ The first 4 sound perfect (though elderberry is a pretty dark red), but for the muddy St. John’s wort I have no reference point. And I don’t know much about comfrey but thought I’d include this post for your consideration: http://vitalitymagazine.com/article/comfrey/
I hope that helps and that you are blessed in all you put your hands to, friend!
Lisa Fetty says
Where did you get that beautiful bottle?
Jacqueline says
Lisa, I got it at TJ Maxx!!