Homemade Vanilla Extract (2024)

Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase. Regardless, I only link to products we use on our homestead or believe in.

The secret to exceptionally good baking is homemade vanilla extract. The best part of making it from scratch is that the flavors just get better over time! Make this recipe three to six months before your holiday baking for the best homemade treats this year.

I remember as a child when I first learned how to cook, to taste straight cocoa and to be so shocked at how awful it was, but then in baking, it was wonderful!

The same goes for vanilla extract. The beans in the alcohol at first taste awful. But steeped three to six months will be amazing!

This homemade vanilla extract is amazing in my homemade double chocolate zucchini muffins, grandma’s chocolate mayo cake, and my blueberry zucchini muffins.

Is it Worth Making Your Own Vanilla Extract?

Yes! Once you learn just how easy it is to make your own vanilla extract, it’ll be one more item you cross off your grocery store list!

How Long Does it Take to Make Vanilla Extract?

Vanilla extract will take three to six months. You can begin using it after three months, but the flavors will just continue to intensify and get better with time.

If you’re making this for gifts, I recommend giving yourself a minimum of three months. Then you might want to tell the gift receiver that the flavor will just keep getting better!

Do You Have to Use Alcohol to Make Vanilla Extract?

I’m often asked if you have to use alcohol to make homemade vanilla extract. When making homemade tinctures, depending on the item you’re steeping, you can use alcohol, vinegar or vegetable glycerine.

I haven’t tried vinegar or glycerine with homemade extracts because whenever I’m using an extract, it’s with a product I’ll be baking or cooking, so the alcohol will be cooked out.

If alcohol concerns you, I have read about people substituting equal parts glycerine in place of alcohol.

Varieties of Alcohols

The alcohol is used to extract the flavor of the vanilla beans. Don’t worry though, the alcohol will cook out when heated.

Organic vodka is an excellent choice and will be a flavorless addition to your vanilla extract. You can also use rum. Rum will give it a darker color.

Because vodka can be made from heavily sprayed crops, I only choose organic vodka for my homemade tinctures and extracts.

Gluten/Wheat Sensitivities

If you have dietary restrictions, you’ll want to choose gluten and wheat-free vodka. There are some certified gluten-free vodka brands, so just be sure yours is labeled.

How Many Times Can You Use Vanilla Beans for Extract?

You can use your vanilla beans multiple times to make homemade vanilla extract. Ideally, when adding more alcohol to your beans, you would also add a few new fresh vanilla beans.

Your nose will tell you when your vanilla is losing its potency.

Varieties of Vanilla Beans

There are many varieties of vanilla beans to choose from, and each will give your homemade vanilla extract a slightly different profile. For my recipe, I’m using Tahitian vanilla beans.

• Tahitian Vanilla Beans – will have a floral and fruity undertone.
• Madagascar Vanilla Beans – will have a creamier feature.
• Mexican Vanilla Beans – will have a bold and robust flavor.

Where to Buy Organic Vanilla Beans

Azure Standard is a sponsor of this video, but I’ve been buying my vanilla beans from them for a few years now. They have the best prices I can find, and I know I’ll be getting great quality.

Right now, Azure has a promotion going for first time customers. If you purchase a minimum of $50, you can use my code “Pioneering10” and receive 10% off your entire Azure Standard order.

Ingredients and Supplies Needed

• Vanilla Beans – Fresh vanilla beans will be plump and not faded or cracked. Older vanilla beans might look brittle and they won’t bend easily. If you see a white substance on the outside of the beans, this is ok. It is usually crystalized sugar.
• Alcohol – Vodka or rum, 70 to 80 proof
• Glass Bottle or Jar – I like to use the glass swing top bottles with chalk labels. They make great gifts! But a regular Mason jar will work as well.

Two Ways to Extract Vanilla

Traditional Way

You will want to start with five to six plump vanilla beans or a minimum 1 ounce and add 8 ounces of alcohol.

1. Start by leaving the top of the bean intact, and split the bean down the center with a knife.

2. Open it up so you can see the black vanilla beans (it will look like coffee grounds). Leave each bean connected at the top so you can easily pull it out of the jar when done.

Pro Tip: You can scrape out the insides of each bean and put it in the jar, then put the whole bean into the jar.

3. Fill the bottle with alcohol and shake, shake, shake! The shaking is what agitates out all the little vanilla beans which will infuse the alcohol.

The nice thing about swing top bottles is that they seal well making them easy to shake without the chance of leakage.

4. If any of the beans float to the top, fill the bottle with a bit more alcohol.

Alternative Method

This method works well if you’re working with older, more brittle beans that are hard to cut open.

1. Cut beans in half or chop them into smaller sections. If the beans are skinnier or drier, they may be harder to split open, so do a rough chop.

2. Add beans to a jar and top with alcohol. Secure the lid and shake, shake, shake! The shaking is what agitates out all the little vanilla beans which will infuse the alcohol.

You can keep topping off the jars and do an always-renewing bottle of extract.

How to Store Vanilla Extract

While the extract is infusing, store the jars in an incredibly dark place, with no sunlight, and at room temperature for 6 months. In a pinch, I will start using it at 3 months but the longer the better.

In the beginning, stages, remember to shake once in a while (about once a week).

For more homemade extracts, check out the posts below and my new book, Everything Worth Preserving!

More Posts You May Enjoy

• Homemade Mint Extract
• Homemade Mint Extract (without alcohol)
• 1930s Chocolate Gravy Recipe
• Fail-Proof Homemade Mayonnaise Recipe (In 2-Minutes)
• 37 Ingredient Substitutions Everyone Should Know