Homemade Vanilla Extract

If you followed my blog long enough, you’d know very well that i’m a vanilla bean person. I hardly ever use vanilla extract/essence. But there’s going to be a change.. Why?

Because i’m going to make my own 😉

I’ve read a number of blogs on this. And i really like a particular blog’s post on it. That would be Joy the Baker. Love the post, description and photos 🙂

It can’t get any simpler than this!

Homemade Vanilla Extract

1 cup vodka
3 vanilla pods
A jar that can be closed tight

This recipe is pretty much standard from the blogs i’ve read.

Vanilla pods! Ahhhhh 😀

I did it slightly differently from what i linked above. But its all quite similar. What i did was to split each vanilla pod lengthwise, then crosswise.

Place it in your jar.

And will with vodka! You should only use the vanilla extract after at least 2 months. The longer the better of course, it’ll be stronger! How awesome right? Not splurging on expensive pure vanilla extract or wasting money on the very fake tasting vanilla essence. Just keep adding to this magic jar 😀

Honestly, i didnt follow the measurements. As in the ratio of vanilla pods vs the vodka. Because if you ask me, in that two months, i’d be throwing in vanilla pods now and then. After scraping out the seeds for a cake or something, i’d probably just dump the rest in anyway. IMHO, i dont think it really matters.

Don’t worry about the vodka, because by the time this is ready for use, the vanilla would be so strong and fragrant and awesome, you won’t be able to smell/taste the vodka. Cover tight and store in a dark place 🙂

This is Felicia reporting on Day 0 of Project Vanilla.

I’ll be constantly updating this post on the colour change and stuff! Watch this space 😉

Day 1:

After 24 hours: Awesome 'sunset' colour. Smells like pure vodka.

Day 5:

Dont judge the extract colour from this photo! Just showing you guys the new bottle i bought from Ikea to store it 😛

This picture shows a more accurate photo! Day 5: A nice amber 🙂 Smells like sweet vodka. Kinda reminds me of cough syrup.. with alcohol. LOL.

Saw an awesome jar perfect for making vanilla sugar. I couldnt resist.. So.. Hahahaha.

Check out my vanilla sugar! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Day 17:

A darker hue of amber. Smell didn't change.

Day 37:

Getting darker, though not much change in smell yet.

Day 47: Packed and labeled for Valentines Day

Smell got slightly sweeter..

And it was a tad bit darker

Didn't keep any for myself! So i guess this ends here..

Thanks for reading, though! Hope you guys enjoyed this post 🙂