Homemade Vanilla Extract

As the holiday season approaches, thoughts turn to cozy gatherings, festive decorations, and of course, the perfect gifts for loved ones. If you’re someone who loves to add a personal touch to your presents, homemade vanilla extract is the secret ingredient you’ve been looking for!

Top view of a pile of vanilla beans on a brown knitted bag

Not only is it fun to make, but it’s also a unique gift that anyone would be thrilled to receive. Once you make this vanilla extract recipe, you’ll never go back to store-bought.

Is it worth making your own vanilla extract?

Imagine the rich aroma of pure vanilla extract wafting through your kitchen as you prepare a batch of cookies or a decadent cake. That’s the magic of homemade vanilla extract.

Unlike store-bought versions, which often contain additives and artificial flavors, homemade vanilla extract is pure, natural, and incredibly flavorful because it isn’t watered down by additives.

So, the answer is ABSOLUTELY! It truly is worth making your own vanilla extract (just read the vanilla extract labels and you’ll be convinced!). Make the vanilla extract in a mason jar, add a cute bow, and your gift is ready to give as soon as you put it together!

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Just 2 Easy Ingredients!

This homemade vanilla extract recipe requires some patience, but I promise it is worth the wait! For the best flavor, the vanilla beans need to soak for a minimum of eight weeks.

Homemade vanilla extract takes just 2 ingredients and 5 minutes of your time!

8 ounces of alcohol, at least 70-proof
4 to 6 vanilla beans – the amount of beans will determine the amount of vanilla flavor
One 8 oz. glass jar or two 4 oz. jars

It will need a good shake at least once a week but other than that, just store it in a dark place out of the direct sunlight and ignore it for 8 weeks.

two small jars of vanilla extract on a wood cutting board with vanilla beans in front as decoration

How to choose the right vanilla beans

The quality of your vanilla extract is determined by two simple ingredients: the vanilla beans and the alcohol used.

When selecting whole vanilla beans, look for plump, moist beans that are flexible and aromatic. Grade A or Grade B beans are both excellent choices.

Grade A: These beans are the most expensive and are meant for cooking and baking. They are longer and moist, and their high moisture content allows them to release their flavor quickly.

Grade B: These beans are meant for extraction, yield the most flavor due to their high vanillin content, and are less expensive. They are shorter and appear more dried.

There are several varieties of vanilla beans and selecting one depends on your culinary needs and budget. When gifting vanilla extract, I’ll typically select Madagascar vanilla beans, just because they’re more exotic and exciting!

Other vanilla bean options include Mexican vanilla beans and Tahitian vanilla beans. Each recipe will call for 6-8 vanilla beans, so try to find them in bulk – Costco or Amazon are great options. Also, check your local grocery store as the holidays get closer.

Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans – Madagascar beans have a rich, creamy, and robust flavor and are perfect for baking sweets like cookies and cakes, or in savory dishes like sauces and marinades.

Tahitian vanilla beans – These beans have a fruity flavor and work well when trying to create a flavored vanilla extract.

Mexican vanilla beans – Mexican beans have a woodsy, smoky flavor and though they can be used in sweet dishes, they excel in savory ones that have cumin, pepper, cloves, cinnamon, or tomatoes. It reminds me of fall and I’ll typically use it in pumpkin pies or other fall dishes.

Get more information on the different types of vanilla

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a small jar of vanilla extract on a wooden cutting board with a spoonful of vanilla

Choose your alcohol

Alcohol is used is to extract the vanilla compounds from the vanilla pods and the vanilla seeds. To effectively accomplish this, your choice of alcohol should have a minimum proof of 70. There’s no need to spend a lot on a fancy brand; a middle-of-the-road bottle will do the job.

Neutral spirits like vodka or bourbon will act as a blank canvas, allowing the vanilla beans to impart their rich flavor without adding additional tastes. The higher the proof of alcohol, the faster the extraction process!

Vodka – The most commonly used spirit for making vanilla extract because it is odorless and tasteless, allowing the fragrance of the vanilla to stand out. It is definitely my favorite choice.

Rum – Adds a heavy, sweeter note to the vanilla. You can use white, gold or dark rum. Rum vanilla extract would be adorable in amber bottles!

Bourbon – Adds a smokey flavor to the vanilla. This is a great one to have on hand for specific recipes, but may not be your go-to vanilla because it will have a strong alcohol smell (that should cook off when baked)

Brandy – Adds sweet and fruity notes to a homemade extract.

a small jar of vanilla extract with a label that says vanilla extract

“I use spiced rum to make my vanilla extract, and the longer it sits — more than one year — the more the flavor will develop and become richer in tone. Additionally, homemade vanilla extract is a wonderful gift to give during the holidays.”

— Michelle, Sift and Simmer

Vanilla plays a major role in recipes, expertly boosting the flavors of desserts like dark chocolate cookies and pecan tarts. Without its magical touch, these desserts would fall flat.

Make an alcohol-free version

Glycerin is a great substitute for alcohol in making homemade vanilla extract. Glycerin is alcohol-free, but it retains alcohol’s preservative properties. This makes it a great choice for culinary vanilla extract with long-term storage in mind, especially if you want to avoid grain alcohol.

“I use glycerine to make homemade vanilla extract. Because I can not consume alcohol. When you make your own vanilla extract, you have more control over how strong you want the extract to be. And it is relatively cheaper in the long run.”

— Devy Dar, Soy Yummy Recipes

How can you use homemade vanilla extract?

Use it in any recipe that calls for pure vanilla extract or imitation vanilla. Here are a few of my personal favorites:

High quality vanilla is expensive, and making your own jar of homemade vanilla extract will save you a lot of money! Have fun with it and switch up the ingredients. Try a vanilla spice blend simply by adding some spices or use a different alcohol for a deeper flavor.

Real vanilla extract is a truly unique gift for bakers!

Tips and Tricks For Homemade Vanilla Extract

The vanilla beans can be left in the bottle. They look pretty and they still have some flavor! When the jar is about 1/4 gone, top it off with more alcohol and you’ll have even more extract. Continue this until the vanilla extract starts to pale. At that point, throw away the vanilla beans.
Homemade vanilla extract can be substituted 1:1 for store-bought varieties. Keep in mind that it may have a stronger flavor than what you are used to. I love this, but if you don’t, adjust the measurements as needed.
When gifting, I like to add a recipe card with one of my favorite recipes. Punch a hole in the card and tie it with a ribbon to the jar.
Some recipes will tell you to sterilize the jar first. I run it through the dishwasher and then use it and haven’t had any issues.
The shape of the jar matters. I like the look of the whole vanilla bean so I prefer a tall jar. If you use a shorter jar, you may need to cut the vanilla beans to fit.