Amanda

I made this to give out during Christmas and it was a hit!

All you need is Vodka which I chose 1 Liter of Absolut 80 Proof Vodka cost roughly $15 at my local liquor store

I purchased 10 Organic vanilla beans from www.organic-vanilla.com which were $6.95 shipped to the door.

Here is what you do:

When you get your beans take them out of the vaccuum sealed bag, take a sharp knife and cut down the middle but not all the way through, spread the bean open take a spoon and scoop out the seeds or "cavier". Do this to all 10 beans.

It is recommended to take out atleast a 1/4 cup of vodka from the bottle because the beans will let out oils and you don't want the bottle to overflow when you go to open it.

Place all the beans in the Vodka bottle and shut tightly. Shake the bottle and put in a cool dark place such as a pantry or a cabinet that does not get opened often. For the first couple of weeks take the bottle out and shake it up. Go ahead and give it a whiff, sure does smell yummy!

You will notice within the first couple of days the clear vodka turning a nice caramel brown.

It is useable extract after 3 weeks but the longer you let it sit the better it gets.

Once you are ready to use or give take a large measuring cup and place a colander with a coffee filter in it and pour the entire bottle of vanilla extract into it to filter out all the seeds and beans. Pour into bottles and enjoy! I purchased 4 oz bottles from ebay.

The shelf life for homemade vodka can be well over 10 years.

You can use the seeds "cavier" by placing them in a muslin bag and putting it in with your jar of sugar to make vanilla sugar. I personally have no clue what I would do with vanilla sugar do you? Any other ideas on what to do with the seeds?

Total Cost to make $21.95
Rough cost to give as gifts in 4oz bottles $3.00.

You can see a picture tutorial here and an updated picture here.

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Amanda, married to my bestfriend Chris and cloth diapering mom to Macy 4 months, Cameron 2, Anthoney 4, Malaina 7 and stepson Chris 16.
Do you like to save money? Check out my blog Savvy Saving Momma

lovethyscent

I love making vanilla extract, I've had some infusing for over a year now. Once it gets low I just add more vodka. I never strain it though I love all the yummy bits in it

kocho

I'm really thinking of trying this. It sounds pretty easy and would make nice gifts.

AshleyLD

Is this how they make store vanilla extract? It doesnt taste like vodka?

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gma2rjc

I'm going to try this for sure. I paid over $5 for a 1.5 oz. bottle of pure vanilla extract before Christmas.

I used to work in a big bakery. The cookies we made were so delicious. I asked the woman who developed the recipes why they tasted so much better than any other cookies I'd ever had. She said it's the vanilla. She ordered it from Brazil.

Oh, just out of curiosity, what do you do with the 1/4 cup of vodka you take out of the bottle before putting the beans in? ...???

Thanks for posting this!

Barb

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May your troubles be less.
May your blessings be more.
And may nothing but happiness
Come through your door.

Amanda

I believe it, my stuff has tasted much better when using this!
I was pregnant when I started making mine so the vodka just went down the drain.

__________________
Amanda, married to my bestfriend Chris and cloth diapering mom to Macy 4 months, Cameron 2, Anthoney 4, Malaina 7 and stepson Chris 16.
Do you like to save money? Check out my blog Savvy Saving Momma

luvkadcl

I was in the store pricing Vanilla and decided that I really needed to start making my own. I knew it would taste better and it had to be cheaper. Here I come on and see your link and a recipe. Ask and you shall receive . Thank you so much for sharing that with us. I will surely use the recipe and the link. The price seems great!!!! I was thinking how I might make it without alcohol. I will need to research that more.

Thanks!!
Cindy

Amanda

What can be used in place of the Vodka?

__________________
Amanda, married to my bestfriend Chris and cloth diapering mom to Macy 4 months, Cameron 2, Anthoney 4, Malaina 7 and stepson Chris 16.
Do you like to save money? Check out my blog Savvy Saving Momma

luvkadcl

I buy it at Trader Joes and Whole Foods and it is made with glycerin. I haven't done a search yet to see how to make it with glycerin.

Cindy

luvkadcl

OMG!! I love the little smiley drinking. I can't stop watching it! It is sooo cute. I must be tired lol!
Cindy

QUOTE=gma2rjc;11073]I'm going to try this for sure. I paid over $5 for a 1.5 oz. bottle of pure vanilla extract before Christmas.

I used to work in a big bakery. The cookies we made were so delicious. I asked the woman who developed the recipes why they tasted so much better than any other cookies I'd ever had. She said it's the vanilla. She ordered it from Brazil.

Oh, just out of curiosity, what do you do with the 1/4 cup of vodka you take out of the bottle before putting the beans in? ...???

Thanks for posting this!

Barb[/QUOTE]