So if you also use Vanilla Extract very often, try to make it at home with this easy peasy recipe. Learn how to make Vanilla Extract, which can be made and stored for about 3 weeks. Here is the recipe of Pure Vanilla Extract.
Ingredients made from scratch at home are always high quality, free of preservatives and tastes the best, when added into a dish. Therefore, I make sure that most of the ingredients used in the cooking are made at home.
So, whenever I have some extra time on my hands, I make these ingredients and store them.
During my recent trip to Coorg, I got my hands on some gorgeous vanilla beans and what can be better than making a vanilla extract from these beans. I use Vanilla Extract a lot as I bake very often, and I believe making the extract at home was a wise decision.
Also making vanilla extract at home is a good idea, because the market ones are either low quality or too expensive.
The Vanilla Extract that is prepared can be used in making healthy Gingerbread Granola bars, lovely Mango Pineapple Smoothie, in Gingerbread Cake with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting and Honey Vanilla Madeleines. They add a wonderful flavor to any dessert or dish.
About the recipe
Real Vanilla Extract is a full of flavor ingredient that is made with – Vanilla Beans and Alcohol of your choice. I have used Vodka here, as it is neutral in flavor. You can even use Bourbon, Rum or Brandy to create unique extracts.
The caviar inside the vanilla bean and the beans itself are mixed with the alcohol to make the extract. This extract is so flavorful that it can make any dish irresistible.
How is it different from Vanilla Essence?
Both, Vanilla Extract and Vanilla Essence are very different. Vanilla Extract is more of a natural product, where vanilla pods are soaked in the alcohol to make the extract, whereas Vanilla Essence is a chemically produced vanilla flavor. As the vanilla extract is more natural, it is expensive than the essence.
How to make it without Alcohol?
You can use the mixture of glycerin and water instead of alcohol to make the Vanilla extract.
Can you freeze it?
No, you cannot freeze Vanilla Extract. You can freeze Vanilla Beans instead in ziplock freezer bags for about 12 months.
How to store it?
Vanilla Extract can be stored in an airtight container in cool dry place for up to 3 weeks. Keep shaking the bottle after each week. The more you keep the extract, the more intense flavors will be.
Which Vanilla Beans are best to make it?
Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla, Tahitian Vanilla and Mexican Vanilla are the best beans to make Vanilla Extract. In addition to the varieties, there are two types of grades available, Grade A and Grade B. Grade B is a little cheaper than Grade A and is usually recommend to make the extract.
Where to get Vanilla Beans from?
You can get it from a local plantation, as I got mine from Coorg. So if you travel to any place where there is Vanilla Beans plantation, don’t forget to stock up on these. But if that is not possible, you can check them out at grocery stores and even online too.
Video Recipe
Vanilla Extract
Ingredients
- 5 Vanilla bean
- 1 cup Vodka
Instructions
- Make a slit in the bean using a sharp knife and scrape out all the caviar.
- Transfer this caviar in a glass bottle.
- Pour the alcohol in the bottle and put the beans along as well.
- Seal the bottle and shake it nicely.
- Your Vanilla extract is done.
- Store it in cool dry place for up to 3 weeks.
- Keep shaking the bottle after each week.
- The more you keep the extract, the more intense flavours will be.
