With that in mind, I decided to make my own vanilla, although I had NO CLUE how to do it. After some Internet research, I was thrilled to learn that the process was SUPER EASY and it only takes TWO ingredients (vodka and vanilla beans)!!!
I like McCormick brand spices, but their price for TWO measly vanilla beans is over $10!! This recipe takes 4 ounces of vanilla beans, so homemade vanilla extract (at that price) would be pretty expensive, so I went back to the Internet.
I discovered that the best vanilla extracts are NOT made with the same kind of vanilla beans that you bake with (Whew!! THAT was a relief.). Vanilla extract is made with Grade B vanilla extract beans (I didn't even know there was such a thing). Google it and you will find a lot of places to buy them. Just make sure they are labeled Madagascar Grade B extract vanilla beans
The 6" beans aren't very pretty to look at (they are not plump and supple AND you CAN NOT bake with them), but they make GREAT extract. When you order them, they will arrive looking like this:
1 quart of vodka (see note below)
4 ounces of Madagascar Grade B extract vanilla beans
This makes a LOT of vanilla, but I like to put it in pretty little bottles and tuck them into gift baskets, so a quart of extract is a good thing.
TIPS:
Don't waste your money on expensive vodka, thinking that this will make better vanilla...it does not. Good news!! The cheapest vodka works just as well as expensive vodka for this project!!
For the initial "brewing", you will need a jar that is a bit bigger than a quart since the vodka AND vanilla beans have to fit in it (I learned that the hard way).
Cut the grade vanilla beans into 1/2" pieces and put them into a quart of vodka..........that's it!! Now all you have to do is shake the bottle a little (every few days) and after a month (at room temperature), it will be extract!! What could be easier?
Before using the extract (or giving it away), strain the spent vanilla bean pieces out of the extract. Personally, I enjoy seeing the tiny vanilla seeds in my baked goods, but if you don't, just run the final vanilla through a coffee filter.
Decorative bottles like this are available online for about $2.50 each, they make a pretty gift.
This extract will be good "forever", or until the very last drop. No need to refrigerate it.
The vanilla in this photo is only 2 weeks into the extract process (see how rich it looks already?)
For those of you who are concerned that homemade vanilla
is not as "strong" as commercial vanilla...never fear!!
This homemade vanilla is very potent (in a good way) and
you will LOVE baking with it!!
ENJOY!!!
