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Homemade Vanilla Extract (Make now for Christmas Gifts & Holiday Baking)

Homemade vanilla extract is a perfect holiday gift to give that is something almost anyone can use, but very much appreciated by home bakers.

vanilla
Do you know that feeling when you realize Christmas is around the corner and you’re so unprepared? This homemade vanilla extract can help deal with many last minute gifts when that time comes.

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Maybe this is the opportunity that you’d wished you’d acted upon when December 15th rolls around this year, and you realize there are lots of little gifts you need to hand out, here and there, but you “got nuthin'”.

Here’s another idea to make for a holiday gift.

Mulling syrup and wine

Taking a few minutes now, will save yourself a lot of stress then. Well, I’m sure the title gave it away, but you can come across like a totally organized, thoughtful and creative friend/relative/boss/employee/colleague/client/student or whatever it is that you are, by handing someone a lovely, bottle of homemade vanilla extract as a gift this holiday season.

Now, I know this isn’t the perfect gift for everyone, like maybe your mechanic? He (call me sexist, but I bet your mechanic is a “he”) probably isn’t the best person to give a bottle of vanilla (unless he’s a passionate foodie). However, I bet there are a lot of people who would really appreciate this thoughtful present.

homemade vanilla extract recipe

All you need are bottles, vanilla beans, vodka and 5 minutes–seriously! Okay, you have to wait a few months before it’s ready, but can you imagine how you’ll feel when December 15th rolls around you just need to throw a bow around the neck of a bottle? Or toss it in a cute little gift bag and you have a gorgeous homemade gift to give!

How cool is that? But do it now, as the vanilla beans need 4 to 6 months to flavor the vodka. I made some in February, so it’s now ready to use and it smells heavenly!

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Special equipment: small bottles   FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW

Ingredients

  • vanilla pods
  • good quality vodka

Special equipment: bottles

Directions

Carefully, slit the vanilla pods open with a sharp knife.

homemade vanilla extract recipe

Drop into the vodka, straight into the mini bottle (200 ml) of vodka, or into your own bottle(s).

homemade vanilla extract recipe

 Close the bottle and leave in a cool, dark place for 4 to 6 months before using.

homemade vanilla extract recipe

This is what the vanilla in progress will look like after just a few days…
homemade vanilla extract recipe

…and after a few months.

homemade vanilla extract recipe

You can thank me in December, and you don’t even have to tell anyone it was my idea–aren’t I nice? :)

(By the way, can someone tell me why it’s not “amn’t I”?)

homemade vanilla extract recipe

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homemade vanilla bean how to make recipe christmas gift

Homemade Vanilla Extract (Make now for Christmas Gifts & Holiday Baking)

Servings: 7 oz
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Additional Time: 121 days 16 hours
Total Time: 121 days 16 hours 5 minutes
One of the easiest things you will ever make a homemade version of, EVER!
5 from 2 votes

Ingredients

  • 3 to 4 vanilla pods (per bottle)
  • 7 oz vodka good quality(I used Belvedere)

Instructions

  • Carefully, slit the vanilla pods open with a sharp knife.
  • Drop into the vodka, straight into the mini bottle (200 ml) of vodka, or into your own bottle(s).
  • Close the bottle and leave in a cool, dark place for 4 to 6 months before using.

Notes

  • These bottles of vanilla make excellent gifts.

Nutrition

Serving: 7oz bottle | Calories: 71kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 0.3mg | Potassium: 0.3mg | Iron: 0.003mg

Christina’s Cucina is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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27 Comments

  1. Awesome! Will definitely do this! By the way, my daughter used to say “amn’t I” all the time when she was little. :)

  2. Ooh, that looks great! I may try this! Thank you. And thank you for the pink peppercorn/tree-nut article, because that is what brought me here. Someone shared it in No Nuts Moms Group Support Group and Forum. Maybe you would like to check it out. It is a private group. I love your blog.:)

  3. So pretty. I’ve never heard of vodka for homemade vanilla, I usually use bourbon but I bet vodka’s super yummy too. Maybe I’ll get organized enough this year to make these to hand out during the holidays.

  4. Hi Christina,

    I can tell that you are very organized person as you are thinking of preparing Christmas gifts now! I’m never that organized! Geez… I made my own vanilla extract and I think the homemade ones are the best so far :D

    Zoe

      1. I’m going to make this now! Just received the vanilla pods and the vodkas waiting!
        Thankyou ❤️