Pure Vanilla Extract Recipe
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 itโs simply unmatched in quality!
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 itโs so easy and cheap to make!
What does Pure Vanilla Extract Recipe taste like?
Thereโs really nothing that matches the pure vanilla flavor you get from homemade pure vanilla extract. It tastes amazing, itโs strong in flavor which means you donโt need to use as much as some store-bought brands. If youโre 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?
1 litre vodka (80 proof / 40% alcohol content) – Make sure your vodka has at least 40% alcohol content. It should specify on the bottle. Itโs more expensive, but itโs whatโs needed to make vanilla extract.
12 vanilla beans – I used B Grade bourbon vanilla beans
The tools youโll 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
Letโs go through each step.
Preparing the bottles
- Make sure your bottles are clean.
- 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
- Good vanilla beans will be slightly soft and bendy. If yours are dry and snap, thatโs ok.
- For bendy vanilla beans, carefully cut them down the middle in half
- Then cut in half as shown
- Giving you 4 pieces per full vanilla bean. 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.
- 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 itโs 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, itโs still good to use.
What can I use instead of vodka?
Look, if youโre afraid of the vodka or canโt 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 youโre left with the vanilla flavor. So thereโs no real risk. But again, if for whatever reason, you canโt use alcohol, replace it with food grade Glycerin.
Gave this a go? Donโt 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?
- Classic vanilla Funfetti Cake – gorgeous and perfect for fun birthdays!
- Vegan vanilla Cupcakes – Really good vanilla cupcakes that are vegan friendly!
- Vanilla Cake – a gorgeous, moist and delicious vanilla cake!
- Vanilla Cupcakes – delicious vanilla cupcakes. Like, really good vanilla cupcakes!
- PERFECT Lemon Meringue Pie – that meringue on top is a vanilla dream!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @thescranline on Facebook and Instagram!
Pure Vanila Extract Recipe
Serves 4
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, thatโs 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 itโs ready to use.
7 comments
Hi Nick! I was just hoping for some troubleshooting help. I seem to have cloudy floaters in my vanilla extract. Iโve only been steeping the vanilla for about two weeks so Iโm not sure what it is. Is it bacterial growth? Thanks!
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.
Iโm delighted that you are sharing the Vanilla Love! Iโm 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!!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing Karen! N x
@KarenCooperstein thanks for sharing your information. What proof of Everclear do you use for making your vanilla extract if you donโt mind. I just purchased vanilla beans and want to make some double fold. I use a lot of vanilla extract so I surely donโt want to mess up my very first batch. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. ๐ Thanks so much.
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..
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