How to Make Pure Vanilla Extract

Why buy Pure Vanilla Extract when you can have it on hand. And let me tell you "Pure" is not always "pure" read the label. Most Vanilla Extract are water, sugar and vanilla extratives. 

Read The Label

And with the cost of Vanilla Extract it will be better to make it 

Making your own Pure Vanilla Extract is so easy here we go plus the 100 % Madagascar Vanilla Beans finally arrived from  Saffron.com.  also you can buy them on Amazon.

There are so  many I truly have to find more to do with them. I will be scouring our local websites for ideas. I found this little recipe on many sites although as you know I tweak things. I pretty much followed the general recipe but used a different vodka. And here is the reason why.

This great tip I found on the worldwide Webster is you can take the cheapest vodka and run it threw you Brita and it is just as good as your most expensive type.

And to prove it you need to keep a small glass of  the Vodka before filtering and after it is amazing and it is a good as the best. So if you have a Brita do it because it will save you a lot of money .

I poured my Vodka through my Brita which makes it quality vodka as I said earlier. Next step I poured it into one of my larger Ball jars. I used a 750 ml/ bottle of Vodka 80% and a little extra my mama had to get rid of.




I used 25 vanilla beans, making a master batch, spilt the beans lengthwise, and added them to the vodka. I use very large mason jars and add vodka to it as I remove vanilla extract throughout the year thus why I put so many beans in. I will also take the beans from the master batch and add them to the new batches. I also cut a few beans for each jar I make and give away as a gift.

I also take some beans dry them split them and put them in a large container of sugar thus making Vanilla Sugar

The Exact Recipe is listed right below for smaller more logical batches.  

I put the lid on the jar with a fresh rubber ring. Label your container if you are like me you have many different canning projects going at once and labels are our saving grace put the date and your ingredients. And put the jar away in a cool place to rest. Do shake it up every now and then. We will check it each month and I will keep you up to date on the brew.

Easy to Read Recipe without my personal comments

5-6 Whole Vanilla Pods per cup of Vodka or Spiced Rum 

Any less and you are making Vanilla Booze.

Split Vanilla Beans lengthwise with a knife, leaving the seeds inside intact.

Place Vanilla Beans in a jar, cover with alcohol, and cap tightly.

Shake the mixture in the jar daily for 2 weeks then once a week when you remember. .




You can infuse the Vanilla Beans for as long as you would like, and add new Vanilla Beans to make a stronger extract. Once that the flavor of the extract has reached the desired strength, (90 day minimum) strain the Vanilla Beans out and bottle the resulting extract. To make the bottles even more alluring, you can insert a Vanilla Bean into each bottle. Vanilla extract will last indefinitely, and will become even more aromatic and flavorful as it ages. Homemade Vanilla Extract may be used in exactly the same manner as commercial Vanilla Extract. 

If like me you want the best of the best then leave your vanilla extract for up to 1 year. I have my original batch that was in the pantry for 2 years. Yup 2 years. It was heavenly and being aged that long you can use half the amount then store bought when baking. 

Here is a link to the final post when it is finished. And here is an excellent site for all thing's Vanilla