DIY Vanilla Extract . . . Works for Me Wednesday

 DIY vanilla extract
Christmas is less than 3 months away.  Honest.  I counted it out on my fingers twice just to be sure.

I really like making homemade gifts for friends and neighbors at Christmastime...and I like to mix it up a bit and not give only decorated cookies.

Last year, I tried vanilla extract.

DIY vanilla extract ... great homemade gift!
The cool thing is....you can start NOW!  Make up several jars and start checking off that Christmas list.

To make Homemade Vanilla Extract, you're going to need:

DIY vanilla extract ... great homemade gift!
vanilla beans (I bought mine from Beanilla)


...and vodka.

DIY vanilla extract
Split the vanilla beans, leaving one end intact. (I had to cut mine in half to fit.) Place in bottles.  These are from The Container Store....aren't they cute?

DIY vanilla extract
Top with vodka.  A good ratio is 1 vanilla bean per 1/3 cup of vodka.

Store in a cool, dark place for at least 6 weeks before using.  The longer it sits, the darker the extract will become.
 DIY vanilla extract
This is what it looks like after being tucked away for 2-3 months.

Refill with vodka and fresh vanilla beans as needed.

DIY vanilla extract ... great homemade gift!
It's that easy!  Really! And it works for me

{psst....you can find the bottles here...I used the 3.3 ounce.}

95 comments

  1. Beautiful gift idea Bridget and those jars you made your vanilla in are adorable.

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  2. That's it? That's all it takes to make vanilla extract? Why haven't I heard about this before? You continually amaze me! Thanks for the great idea. I'm going to go get some vodka tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll get the vanilla beans before the vodka disappears! ;)

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  3. This is an adorable idea. Thanks for posting it early enough that I can attempt it for Christmas this year.

    QUESTION!
    Do you recommend any brand of vodka or proof %? How do different ones have an effect on the outcome of the vanilla?

    Thank you!

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    1. Use cheap vodka. Save the grey goose for drinking.

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  4. Oh and one more question, I can't find the little bottles on The Container Store's website. Would you be able to give me the exact name/style of them or a link to something similar? They are just too cute.

    Thanks again!

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    1. They are called 3.4 oz. Glass Hermetic Milk Bottle at the container store. They are 3.99 on their website.

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  5. I need to try this! What a great idea! Have a fabulous night!

    Have you entered my 2 year blogoversary giveaway yet? It's amazing!

    http://www.blondeepisodes.com/2011/09/its-giveaway-happy-blogoversary-blonde.html

    Kori xoxo

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  6. What a fantastic idea! Thank you for sharing!

    Just a quick question about splitting the bean for my clarification - do you mean to split it down the center and then cut one end off? Or just cutting one end of the bean off?

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  7. Wow....I"m going to do this too. How awesome is this! I love learning new things from your site. Thank you for sharing. :)

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  8. Wow! Those are beautiful! I didn't realize a person could make that at home. Very cool.

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  9. I love giving these as Christmas gifts! Love your jars, too!

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  10. I love giving homemade gifts too! I will be adding these to my gift baskets this year!

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  11. Can you provde the link for these cute containers please? Great gift idea!

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  12. thts rly cool but i was wondering is there a substitute for the vodka ?

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  13. Bridget, I've been wanting to do this for such a long time. Since I have about a year supply of vanilla as it is (ok maybe two.....or three) making this as a gift would be wonderful!

    I love the little bottles but couldn't find those on the Container Store website.

    --- in other news I live about 3 hours from the Florida Everglades and have been told vanilla grows crazy mad all over the place there.

    So if anyone is brave enough to jump six foot fences and avoid hungry alligators, pythons and other ghastly creatures: there's plenty of vanilla for the taking.

    :)

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  14. I think you just saved me LOTS of shopping and fussing and time!
    I can't wait to get started! Thank you -- you are amazing. :-)

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  15. I used tequila (Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado) and it turned out great. Anyone that says yuck needs a lesson in tequila. Also, this is a great priced option (about $22) for a great flavor.

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  16. Bridget, these pictures are GORGEOUS!!! Stumbled and pinned girl... you are amazing!

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  17. How cool is this!! I'm planning on making some mint infused vodka and packaging it with some hot cocoa and homemade for christmas gifts! Definitely saving this for later!!! :D

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  18. For those wondering about the bottles... They are called "Hermetic" bottles on The Container Store website! I ordered the small square ones when I made vanilla recently...

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  19. I can't wait to try this! I found similar bottles to hers ladies a The Container Store. They are called Square Hermetic Bottles, Item # 10048423.

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  20. What a WONDERFUL idea! I'm so excited to try! Thanks for sharing. :)

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  21. oooo, so pretty! these would make the perfect Christmas gifts for a few people I'm thinking of right now!

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  22. I did this last year. The cheapest place I found to buy vanilla pods was actually ebay.

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  23. That was so smart!! Thank you for the idea! Unfortenatly they dont sell bottles like that where I live...as usual...

    I follow you in Google reader, you have a great blog!

    Have a nice day!

    From Desiree in Hammerfest, Norway

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  24. I loved mine! :) I need to refill.

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  25. I saw this last year and I'm still dying to try it! Thanks for the reminder :)

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  26. That is the perfect homemade gift! And no mess either. Cool.

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  27. There are some wonderful bottles over here:
    http://www.specialtybottle.com/glassbottles-2.aspx

    The Boston Round 4oz would be perfect, methinks...

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  28. Try it with rum too. The flavor is amazing.

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  29. Bridget those photos could be published in a book! ;) Oh wait you *are* an author!!!!!!! :D

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  30. Love this idea! It always seems to appealing to make home made gifts . . . but then I never get around to it. Maybe this year!

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  31. Thanks! now I'll make my own

    http://bitstreats.blogspot.com/

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  32. This is great and I will be trying it. So glad to find your blog!

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  33. How did you know that I was actually looking for this recipe?

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  34. Thank you! My bottle is almost done! Just added to my shopping list: vodka and vanilla beans.

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  35. I think these are the bottles:

    http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen?productId=10003575&N=6&Ntt=bottles

    The smallest ones are 8.5oz. Must be what she used.

    Love this idea! Thanks for sharing!

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  36. Hey guys!

    In answer to the questions about the bottles, I could not find them on The Container Store website. I don't know if they are available in-store only, or maybe they are no longer sold.

    The bottles I used were not the 8.5 oz...they held about 2/3 cup.

    If you have access to a Container Store, you might want to pop in...they have lots of cool bottles. I'd also check World Market. :)

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  37. Great idea, I have to try it.

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  38. best place to buy vanilla beans...they come out to .49 cents a piece. and if you take care of them (dont let them dry out) they will last for years.

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CPZSC8

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  39. Doing it! Thanks for the great/pretty/useful idea!! :)

    A couple questions. When you give the ratio per bean, is that whole bean? So you would put 2/3c vodka for 4 cut pieces? And do you know how many oz your jars are?

    I can't wait to do this!!! Thanks!

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  40. Oh, yeah... and by "split the bean", is that just running a knife down the seam? Sorry, I've never done this (or anything with an actual vanilla bean, sadly), but I'm determined! :)

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  41. Oh, I love those jars. I have been meaning to make some vanilla extract. Adding that to my to-do list for the week! :)

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  42. What an excellent solution. I've never thought to make homemade vanilla extract.

    I would love for you to link up and share this on my mommy solution meme.

    http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2011/09/the-mommy-club-share-your-resources-and-solutions-11/

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  43. I love this. Homemade vanilla extract is a wonderfully personal gift idea.

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  44. You make this look really easy! I've wanted to try making my own for awhile, maybe the holidays are the perfect time to give it a try!

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  45. Those bottles are so cute and what a nice gift-giving item. I saw some other blog did this as well but I've never tried making them myself. I'm wondering how do they taste compared to store bought vanilla extract? Is the aroma stronger in the homemade version? Guess I'm eager to find out now than 3 months later! LOL

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  46. Bridget, this is such a fantastic gift idea...
    Thanks for sharing..
    I love those adorable jars...

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  47. I love the cute bottles you used Bridget!!

    I can't wait to make some this year! It's too easy NOT to make!

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  48. Okay... I'm making this! Can you tell me what kind of beans I should get from that site. There are like 10 kinds! Thanks in advance!
    Erin
    [email protected]

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  49. Thank you ... I just found the gift to make for my "baking friends". They will truly appreciate it!

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  50. SERIOUSLY that's it?! FANtastic, wonderful, great idea!!

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  51. So easy and fun to make. Thanks for sharing!

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  52. I've wanted to make vanilla (and vanilla sugar) for a long time! Now I just need to get some vanilla beans and cute jars:)

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  53. I have never made my own vanilla, and those containers make it such a great gift idea! I think I will try this!

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  54. Great Idea! I've always wondered how vanilla extract was made. Excited to try it!

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  55. That is so funny! I just bought those exact bottles to use for Christmas for the Vanilla I started a couple of months go. Great minds....

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  56. WOW! this really is something special, these are so adorable. i've been looking for little bottles like this to give away christmas presents as well - any chance you could let me know where you found them? :D

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  57. I am so trying this!!! But I was thinking, if I wanted to use this at home for my baking, I could make a larger batch right? In a big bottle. Just more vanilla and more vodka. Or do you recommend sticking to the little bottles for more taste?
    Thank you so much for the idea :)

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  58. What a great idea! I guess I never realized how easy making your own extract was! Those bottles are adorable, and would definitely make great gifts!

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  59. Cool! I need to try this!

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  60. I found bottles at Sur La Table for $3.00 each. They are little and so cute. Can't wait to make this for gifts for all of my baking friends.

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  61. Love homemade vanilla!!! Thanks for posting this recipe : ) Love, a fellow cookie maker

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  62. I used to run a bakery with my mom and I found 3 lbs of Madagascar vanilla beans for $100 on eBay. Snatched them up right away and have had homemade vanilla since then. I keep a BIG jar under the sink filled with about 50 beans and a couple 5ths of vodka. So nice not to have to buy it.

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  63. Can't wait to try this! :) I found you on pinterest. They have vanilla beans at my Costco- two vials with 20 (I think) pods for $12.

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  64. I finally got around to making this and it was so surprisingly easy! I made A TON of vanilla extract and has enough vodka left over to make blueberry pie flavored vodka. I can't wait until the extracts are ready so that i can use them!

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  65. Thanks for the awesome idea! I just made some extract after seeing your post: http://corriefood.blogspot.com/2011/10/diy-vanilla-extract.html

    I've gotta find those cute little bottles you have! I've looked for a couple of weeks now.

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  66. OMG-I LOVE YOU! We just moved to Europe and I can't find vanilla extract. Luckily I brought 1 bottle from home, but I have been seriously wondering what to do once it is empty. This is a great idea and one that will make me, and future recipients, very happy.

    Heather

    Footnote: they do have vanilla flavored sugar packets, but I don't think they are as good as the extract.

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  67. This might be a goofy question, but can you use this just like store bought vanilla extract? I love this idea, btw. It seems so economical and personal. A win!

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  68. Thank you so much for this idea: it really works:

    http://ueber-kochen.blogspot.com/2011/11/ausprobiert-vanilla-extract-selber.html

    I love love love Bake at 350!

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  69. Thank you so much for posting this and your pictures are beautiful.

    I did this around the first week of October. I split the vanilla beans down the middle and now there are little brown pieces of the pod floating around the bottle. They are not the seeds inside, but actually pieces of the pod. Is this normal? I think I will have to strain them before mailing them off as gifts.

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  70. I love making my own vanilla and have been doing it for years. I also buy my vanilla beans at beanilla.com, but I also have bottles of VSOP Brandy and Cognac with beans it and I have added orange peels and blueberries to some bottles of vodka with the beans for some special flavoring. The VSOP brandy is amazing when making french toast.

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  71. What a great idea! Wondering if i can substitute the Vodka for 70% straight Alcohol? We are able to buy about 750ml of is for 2e at the Pharmacy(Gotta LOVE Europe!). Would that work the same?

    Thanks so much for this! The store bought Vanilla Extract here is so weak!
    Naomi.

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  72. We just made some, too! We're actually looking for an orange extract recipe now, but we might invent one ourselves...

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  73. What do you guys do with the extract?
    What to cook with it? :)

    Hugs
    Frida

    www.fridaspeach.wordpress.com

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  74. Costco now sells an American vodka that would work very well for this. If you live in a state which sells booze in stores.

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  75. I was at Hobby Lobby today and saw bottles just like these. Sorry I didn't check the exact size, but they have all sizes of different bottles there (both clear and colored)

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  76. ...or you can buy some grolsch and save the bottles :)

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  77. I think a blogger that doesn't respond to one single question is USELESS~ ESPECIALLY a frequently asked one. ie the bottles.
    LADIES.... i would try ebay or just tooling around the web. Best of luck to y'all!

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    Replies
    1. Everywhere I have checked for that size bottle is sold out... and the next size up is on back order..... very frustrated right now.

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    2. I totally agree with you Tammy Moore...it's so frustrating when a blogger does not answer!! especially when they have had 2 ++++ years to do it!

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  78. Well, hey there, Tammy!

    Actually, if you go back up and read the post, you'll find that I mentioned where I bought the bottles and provided a link to the page. This was written in 20111, so hopefully they still carry them, BUT homemade vanilla extract works in ANY bottle, not just the one shown. :)

    And, yes, unfortunately I don't have the chance to answer every question in the comments. Maybe if there were 32 hours days instead of 24. :)

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  79. Can you use this vanilla to bake with?
    Michele

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  80. Are bottles with screw on tops and such okay for this? They are not as good of a seal.....

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  81. How cool!! I've featured this on my handmade for the holidays post. Feel free to stop by! http://theprettypickle.com/blog/handmade-for-the-holidays

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  82. I am very happy to be visiting your blog this.

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  83. The longer it sits, the darker the extract will become.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! Happy baking! :)
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