How to Make Your Own Vanilla Extract

A good quality vanilla extract can add so much to a recipe. Once you know how to make your own vanilla extract, you’ll never find yourself without ample supply in your baking pantry. You’ll also find that it makes a delicious gift!

I started making my own vanilla extract more than a decade ago. I didn’t set out to do so to be frugal or to make a better product. I did it because it’s just what you do when someone in your family is suddenly diagnosed with food allergies.  Necessity really is the mother of invention.  Little did I know that I would indeed save money, make a better product, and forever choose to eschew purchasing store bought vanilla extract ever again.

After our family was faced with the new prospect of eating and baking around food allergies, I began to look more closely at every ingredient in our pantry.  One of the baking staples that I had a terrible time finding ingredient information and allergy warnings for was vanilla extract.  Many companies that produce vanilla extract also make almond and other nut-based extracts, making their products off limits in order to ensure that our homemade baked goods were safe for us to enjoy. 

In my hours of searching online for a safe vanilla extract to purchase, I made a wonderful discovery.  I learned that making vanilla extract required exactly two ingredients: vanilla beans and vodka along with a glass bottle, and a bit of cupboard space.  It didn’t take me very long to decide to attempt to create our own homemade vanilla extract right in the farmhouse kitchen.

I was a little skeptical. The process seemed too simple to yield a vanilla extract that would be as fragrant and flavorful as the premium extract I had kept on hand in our kitchen for so many years.  I had very little to lose, so I gathered the supplies, followed the easy steps, and set the glass bottle aside to see what would develop.

With each passing week, the clear liquid took on a deeper color.  When I gently turned the bottle to help mix the contents, I could see the specks of vanilla bean floating in the liquid.  After a few weeks, the vodka no longer smelled just of alcohol, but of that familiar and comforting smell of vanilla.  As the weeks turned into one month and then a second, the extract turned a beautiful amber color, the fragrance became deep and earthy.

I decided to bake a batch of Crème Brûlée to test the flavor, knowing that the vanilla would have room to shine and not be masked by the other ingredients. The aroma of them baking in the oven filled the farmhouse and the flavor was exceptional.  This homemade vanilla extract had exceeded my expectations in every single way.

Supplies to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract

For years, we offered Vanilla Extract Kits in our Mercantile Shop. The kits included 8 ounce heavy duty glass swing top bottles for optimum storage, whole vanilla beans, and easy to follow instructions. They were very popular in our shop and we loved hearing how delicious your homemade vanilla extract was and how you were putting it to use in your kitchen.

As the price of the bottles and, more importantly, the vanilla beans increased, we couldn’t offer them for sale unless we took a loss on each kit or increased the price so high that we didn’t feel right about it. So, we’ve decided to share the instructions from the kit with you for free along with links to the bottles and vanilla beans so that you can purchase them directly.

We hope that the knowledge and affordable bottles and vanilla beans will encourage you to give this method a try. It’s so simple to make a steady supply of your own delicious homemade vanilla extract. Once you do, we have dozens of baking recipes ready for you to put that vanilla extract to delicious use!

When making vanilla extract, I like to use eight ounce glass bottles with a rubber gasket and swing lid to keep them tightly closed.  I find that this tight-fitting lid helps to prevent the extract from evaporating.  You can use any sort of glass bottle or jar with a tight-fitting lid.

For each eight ounce bottle of extract, I use four vanilla bean pods.  If you would like a stronger extract or happen to have extra vanilla bean pods on hand, you can certainly increase the number that you use for each jar.

The vanilla beans used for making extract can be of any variety. Madagascar vanilla beans are the most commonly used, but other varieties yield delicious and flavorful extracts. Fortunately, Grade B vanilla beans are often used which are available at a much lower price which means that making your homemade vanilla extract is more affordable.

Grade B beans are of no lesser quality, they are simply slightly dry in nature. While they are a bit dry, they can create a full-flavored extract at less expense. The beans used in making extract will be submerged in vodka, so their dry exterior does not affect their ability to create a flavorful extract.

I have used both vodka and bourbon to make my own vanilla extract in the past. I prefer the version made with vodka.   I find that the vodka does not impart additional color, scent, or flavor to my extract. I like for the vanilla to be the star of my extract and using vodka is a sure way to achieve that.

However, I have made a batch of bourbon when it was what I had on hand. You can also use rum if you like. If you choose to use bourbon or rum, the resulting extract will be equally delicious and it will have a bit darker color and slightly more intense aroma.

When selecting the alcohol to use for your extract base, you do not need to use anything fancy or expensive. Alcohol is only being used as a carrier of the flavor and aroma. Use what you have on hand or purchase an inexpensive bottle to use for making extract. I keep an inexpensive brand on hand for just this purpose.

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How to Make Your Own Vanilla Extract

Brewing a bottle full of delicious homemade vanilla extract is as simple as making a cup of tea.  You’ll need to gather a glass container with a tight-fitting lid (I use these swing top jars), vanilla bean pods, and vodka or another alcohol to be infused with the vanilla beans.

For each 8 ounces of vodka, I like to use four vanilla bean pods. You can easily scale these proportions to suit the storage containers you are using or the supplies you have on hand. The more vanilla bean pods you add to your vodka, the more deeply flavored your extract will be.

To make your extract, use a sharp knife to carefully split each vanilla bean lengthwise to expose the interior surface of the pods before placing them in your container. If you prefer, you can cut them into lengths about two inches long. The goal is to break apart the exterior of the pod to allow it to add flavor to the vodka without creating pieces so small that they will require you to strain the extract before using.

Warm the vodka as if you were making a cup of tea. This can be done on the stovetop or in the microwave. Carefully add the warm liquid to the bottle. Allow the mixture to steep uncovered until it has cooled to room temperature.

Secure the tight-fitting lid before storing your container in a cool, dark place.  I store my bottles of vanilla extract in the same cabinet with my olive oil as they thrive in similar conditions. 

Gently agitating the container every week or so during the 6-8 week brewing process will help to distribute the vanilla bean flecks throughout the liquid. After about four weeks, the extract can be used although I find that 6-8 weeks is optimal for creating a full-flavored vanilla extract.

I usually have two of these bottles in my kitchen and pantry. I keep one bottle of extract as the working bottle that I am using in my baking recipes and another one that is “brewing”. This way, I always have plenty of homemade vanilla extract to work with and another one gaining strength at the same time and I never need to fear the prospect of running out.

When you used all of the extract from the bottle, you can refill it with warm vodka and set it aside to brew a second time using the original vanilla bean pods.  The second batch is often a bit lighter in color, but should be no less flavorful or aromatic, especially if you allow it a few weeks of extra time to brew. If you happen to have fresh vanilla bean pods on hand, you can add one or two to the jar to boost the flavor and aroma.

After the vanilla bean pods have brewed two batches of extract, they won’t have much flavor left to impart on another batch of extract. However, they can be used to flavor custards and sauces or allowed to dry slightly before adding to a mason jar full of sugar to create a batch of delicious vanilla bean sugar.

To make a batch of vanilla bean sugar, simply tip the spent vanilla bean pods out of your empty bottle of extract to a paper towel.  Allow them to dry for several hours before placing them in a large Mason jar (breaking them into shorter lengths if needed), covering them with granulated sugar, and placing a lid on the jar. 

In a matter of days, you will open the jar to find that the sugar has been infused with the aroma and flavor of the vanilla bean pods.  This vanilla bean sugar is a delicious addition to your baked goods.  I sprinkle it on top of muffins, sugar cookies, or my morning cappuccino.

No matter how you choose to use your homemade vanilla extract, you’re sure to enjoy its rich amber color, intense flavor, and delightful aroma as much as I do.  You’ll be amazed at how delicious your favorite recipes taste with the addition of your homemade vanilla extract and vanilla bean sugar. You’ll also find yourself using it liberally knowing that you can make a batch so easily and affordably.

These bottles of delicious homemade vanilla extract make a wonderful gift for the baker or aspiring baker on your holiday gift list. Who wouldn’t want a deeply flavored homemade bottle of vanilla extract to use during the holiday season? They also make a lovely hostess gift or takeaway gift for bridal showers and baby showers.

Delicious Recipes to Make with Your Homemade Vanilla Extract

Visit our Amazon Page to find our favorites for the pantry, Farmhouse Kitchen, studio, garden, farmhouse, and Penny Lane. We only share the products we use and never suggest products we haven’t tried ourselves.

If you choose to make a purchase, we will receive a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. The pennies we earn help to cover the costs of running our blog and keep Penny Lane’s cookie jar full. You can learn more about our participation in affiliate programs here.