The best vanilla extracts are NOT made with the same kind of vanilla beans that you bake with. It is made with Madagascar Grade B extract vanilla beans which are only about $15 for 25 vanilla beans on Amazon.
The 6" beans aren't very pretty to look at (they are not plump and supple like the expensive ones) 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 tip below)
4 ounces of Madagascar Grade B extract vanilla beans
This makes a LOT of vanilla!! 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 it 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 into it.
Cut the 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 vanilla 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 turn vanilla into 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!!!
