Pure Vanilla Extract Recipe

Published Updated
4.4 from 10 votes
7 Comments

My Pure Vanilla Extract Recipe is delicious. Making vanilla extract at home is so easy. It requires a few ingredients and a bit of planning ahead, but itโ€™s simply unmatched in quality!

Pure Vanilla Extract - square image

Store-bought vs. homemade.

I mean, yeah. You can buy really quality vanilla extract for sure. And in some cases, some vanilla extracts are more suited to some recipes than this homemade version. Like Queen Pure Vanilla extract which is syrup-based and is best for Pavlovas and meringues. But in cakes and cupcakes or macarons, you can definitely use your own vanilla extract. And itโ€™s so easy and cheap to make!

Vanilla Extract - side by side 01

What does Pure Vanilla Extract Recipe taste like?

Thereโ€™s really nothing that matches the pure vanilla flavor you get from homemade pure vanilla extract. It tastes amazing, itโ€™s strong in flavor which means you donโ€™t need to use as much as some store-bought brands. If youโ€™re looking for a really good vanilla extract that is syrup-based and great for using in meringues I recommend the Queen pure vanilla extract.

What are the ingredients I need for the Pure Vanilla Extract Recipe? 

Ingredient photo for Pure Vanilla Extract

1 litre vodka (80 proof / 40% alcohol content) – Make sure your vodka has at least 40% alcohol content. It should specify on the bottle. Itโ€™s more expensive, but itโ€™s whatโ€™s needed to make vanilla extract.

12 vanilla beans – I used B Grade bourbon vanilla beans

The tools youโ€™ll need.

x4 250ml (8.5 fl.oz) Clip top bottles – I used the ones with a clip on lid. I love them because they have a rub top which creates a really great seal.

Knife (or scissors) and chopping board – to cut the vanilla beans

Letโ€™s go through each step.

Preparing the bottles

Instructional Image For Pure Vanilla Extract 01
  1. Make sure your bottles are clean.
  2. Unclip the lid, add a couple drops of dishwashing detergent. Fill half way with warm water. Clip the lid back on and shake. Empty the bottle and then run under hot water until it runs clear. Empty the bottle and then turn upside down and allow to dry until completely dry.

Preparing the vanilla beans

Instructional Image For Pure Vanilla Extract 02
  1. Good vanilla beans will be slightly soft and bendy. If yours are dry and snap, thatโ€™s ok.
Instructional Image For Pure Vanilla Extract 03
  1. For bendy vanilla beans, carefully cut them down the middle in half
4Instructional Image For Pure Vanilla Extract 05
  1. Then cut in half as shown
  2. Giving you 4 pieces per full vanilla bean. For snappy vanilla beans, simply use scissors to cut in 1-inch pieces.

Putting it together

Instructional Image For Pure Vanilla Extract 05
  1. Simply add 3 full vanilla beans in each bottle.
  2. Fill with vodka leaving a little gap at the top.
Instructional Image For Pure Vanilla Extract 06
  1. Leave the bottle in a dry and dark place for 3 months before using. It will turn an amber color when itโ€™s ready to use.

My Top Tips! 

  • Make sure you sterilize and clean out the bottles. Make sure you also allow them to dry completely before using.
  • Make sure you use good quality vanilla beans. I used Grade B Bourbon vanilla beans that I bought on amazon.
  • Make sure you leave your vanilla extract in a cool dry place to mature. Leaving it in a place with light will result in a cloudy looking vanilla. And unless it smells bad, itโ€™s still good to use.
Extreme close up of Pure Vanilla Extract bottles

What can I use instead of vodka?

Look, if youโ€™re afraid of the vodka or canโ€™t use it for whatever reason, keep in mind, you use such a little amount in baked goods. And once added to say, a cake batter, the alcohol itself bakes off in the oven and youโ€™re left with the vanilla flavor. So thereโ€™s no real risk. But again, if for whatever reason, you canโ€™t use alcohol, replace it with food grade Glycerin.

Close up of Pure Vanilla Extract

Gave this a go? Donโ€™t forget to rate the recipe andย leave a comment below! Hungry for more? Join me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok for more great recipes!

Looking for recipes to use your home made Vanilla Extract?

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @thescranline on Facebook and Instagram!

Vanilla Extract - Thumbnail 24

Pure Vanila Extract Recipe

Making vanilla extract at home is so easy. It requires a few ingredients and a bit of planning ahead, but itโ€™s simply unmatched in quality!

Serves 4

4.4 from 10 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Course: Basics
Cuisine: French
Calories: 590kcal

Ingredients

Vanilla Extract

  • 4 cups / 1 liter vodka, (80 proof / 40% alcoholcontent)
  • 12 / 12 vanilla beans, Grade B Bourbon

Tools

  • 4 (250ml / 8.5 fluid oz) with clip top bottles
  • small sharp knife

Learn How To Make it! [VIDEO]


Instructions

Preparing the bottles

  • Make sure your bottles are clean. Unclip the lid, adda couple drops of dishwashing detergent. Fill half way with warm water. Clip the lid back on and shake. Empty the bottle and then run under hot water until it runs clear. Empty the bottle and then turn upside down and allow to dry until completely dry.

Preparing the vanilla beans

  • Good vanilla beans will be slightly soft and bendy. If yours are dry and snap, thatโ€™s ok. For bendy vanilla beans, carefully cut them down the middle in half, then cut in half as shown. For snappy vanilla beans, simply use scissors to cut in 1-inch pieces.
  • Putting it together
  • Simply add 3 full vanilla beans in each bottle and fill with vodka leaving a little gap at the top. Leave the bottle in a dry and dark place for 3 months before using. It will turn an amber color when itโ€™s ready to use.

Notes

Storage
Pure vanilla extract be stored in an a dry and dark area to be allowed to rest and mature and is good for up to 12 months.

Nutrition

Calories : 590kcal
Carbonhydrates: 4g
Fat: 2g
Sodium: 2mg
Potassium : 2mg
Iron: 1mg
Nutrition Disclosure
Gave this recipe a go?Mention @thescranline or tag #thescranline!

7 comments

Cat November 4, 2021 - 11:25 am

Hi Nick! I was just hoping for some troubleshooting help. I seem to have cloudy floaters in my vanilla extract. Iโ€™ve only been steeping the vanilla for about two weeks so Iโ€™m not sure what it is. Is it bacterial growth? Thanks!

Reply
Nick Makrides November 7, 2021 - 9:16 pm

Hi Cat! That can happen if the vanilla extract is left out in light. It needs to be stored in a dark, cool and dry place. Smell the vanilla, if it doesn’t smell bad, it’s still good to use.

Reply
Karen Cooperstein October 2, 2022 - 4:59 am

Iโ€™m delighted that you are sharing the Vanilla Love! Iโ€™m a Beanie too! I find that the standard ratio for Single fold strength is 1 ounce of beans to 8 ounces of 80-100 proof vodka or, even better for a very clean taste, Everclear. If the proof is too high of any alcohol, the beans will become brittle and will not extract properly. But it is also easy to dilute down to the proper proof with Distilled Water.
Double fold is my go-to, with 2 ounces of beans to 8 ounces of alcohol. Triple fold is intense! 3 ounces of beans to 8 ounces of your choice of alcohol. Fabulous!!

Reply
Nick Makrides October 31, 2022 - 6:51 am

Great tips! Thanks for sharing Karen! N x

Reply
Michelle Lester January 6, 2023 - 7:10 pm

5 stars
@KarenCooperstein thanks for sharing your information. What proof of Everclear do you use for making your vanilla extract if you donโ€™t mind. I just purchased vanilla beans and want to make some double fold. I use a lot of vanilla extract so I surely donโ€™t want to mess up my very first batch. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. ๐Ÿ˜Š Thanks so much.

Reply
Dorothy Bubb June 9, 2023 - 10:14 pm

5 stars
I’m so thankful for this site, I use alot of vanilla, this is amazing to know..
The chocolate cake looks fantastic.
Just wondering when writing out your recipes can they be put into cups, in the measurements
I’m in Australia it just makes it easier
Thank you so much..

Reply
Nick Makrides June 24, 2023 - 2:19 am

Hi Dorothy! Are you Australian? We mostly use grams and mls here. I have both included in the recipe card. Let me know if that helps! N x

Reply
4.41 from 10 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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