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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This is what the vanilla in progress will look like after just a few days…
…and after a few months.
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”?)
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Homemade Vanilla Extract (Make now for Christmas Gifts & Holiday Baking)
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
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How do you use it when you, for instance, bake a cake? And does it taste like vodka?
You use it just like vanilla extract, and no, it tastes like vanilla, not vodka.
Great Idea looking forward to more of your ideas, thank you
Thank YOU, Alison!
Gosh, I never knew that it was so easy to make. I guess that’s why good quality vanilla extract is so expensive.
I’m absolutely going to make it myself.
Great, Lous! It really is so simple!!
I was wondering- you said small bottle of vodka… what size would that be please?
Oh sorry, Adele. It’s the 200ml sized bottle I used, not the tiny single serving bottles. You can also buy a regular bottle and put it into your own bottles. Enjoy!