Homemade vanilla extract is simple to make and is a great gift for all of the bakers in your life!
Ingredients
Vanilla beans in your favorite varietyrule of thumb is 1 ounce by weight of beans per 8 fluid ounces of alcohol
Alcohol of your choicevodka, bourbon, rum, or brandy
Instructions
Use a sharp, clean paring knife to split each vanilla bean in half, leave about ½ inch at each end intact.
Put your vanilla beans in a sterilized glass bottle or jar with a tight, secure lid, and cover with the alcohol.
Close jar or bottle and store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight for a bare minimum of 6-8 weeks, although 4-6 months is best for a more developed flavor. Give the bottle a shake every week or so.
Notes
Use the ratio of 1 oz (by weight) of vanilla beans to 8 fluid oz (1 cup) of alcohol to make as much extract as you like. For example, to make 1 cup of extract, use 1 ounce of beans and 1 cup alcohol. To make 1 quart of extract, use 4 ounces beans and 4 cups of alcohol.