Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe

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Homemade vanilla extract requires only two ingredients: vanilla beans and vodka or bourbon. It’s easy to make and tastes way better than the store-bought stuff. For holiday baking or special occasions, make your batch at least four months in advance.

Homemade vanilla extract in a mason jar sealed with a metal lid and ring

Table of Contents

A few years ago, my mother-in-law and I saw someone on TV make homemade vanilla, and we just had to try it.

Flash forward to today, and we both bake solely with homemade vanilla extract. It is a total baking game-changer.

If you are like me and bake regularly, you probably use a ton of vanilla. I’m constantly making treats like sourdough skillet cookies or fudgy brownies.

But I even use vanilla in other recipes, like homemade sourdough granola, strawberry ice cream, carrot cake overnight oats, and even my favorite fall simmer pot.

So when I make homemade vanilla, I make a big batch. That way, I have plenty any time I need it. This recipe makes 1 cup, but I usually make a quart at a time.

I’ve said this repeatedly throughout the post, but it’s worth the reminder: if you need homemade vanilla for the holidays or a special event, make it at least four months in advance.

This recipe is super simple, though it does require a bit of patience. However, it’s totally worth the wait.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavor: Once you try baking with homemade vanilla extract, you’ll never use the store-bought stuff again. It’s so good!

Budget-Friendly: Making your own vanilla is significantly cheaper than buying it at the store.

Heirloom Skill: This homemade vanilla recipe is a simple project that’s easy to pass down and share with others.

Customizable: Use different beans (Madagascar, Tahitian, Mexican) or alcohols for unique flavors.

Gift-Giving: A bottle of homemade vanilla is perfect for holiday, teacher, or housewarming gifts.

Ingredients

Vanilla Beans: Around the holidays, I’ve found vanilla beans at Costco for a good price. Otherwise, I use Vanilla Bean Kings Madagascar beans.

Alcohol: Vodka and bourbon are my top choices. I always keep a jar made with vodka and one with bourbon on hand. And I always recommend using alcohol that you would drink.

Tools You Will Need

Knife: You’ll need a sharp knife to slice the vanilla beans.

Funnel: A food-safe funnel isn’t necessary, but it does make pouring the alcohol in a little easier, especially if you are using a long-neck jar.

Mason Jar: I use mason jars because I have about a million. But you can use small swing-top jars or other cute glass containers.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Vanilla beans on a cutting board with a paring knife, shown with bourbon and decorative foliage

Step 1: Slice the vanilla beans lengthwise using a sharp knife (I use the tip of a paring knife).

Vanilla beans cut in half on a cutting board, shown with gold scissors, bourbon, and decorative foliage

Step 2: If necessary, cut the beans in half to fit in your jar.

An overhead view of vanilla beans inside of a small mason jar

Step 3: Place the beans in an 8-ounce jar.

Vanilla beans in a mason jar submerged in bourbon

Step 4: Pour the alcohol over the vanilla beans. Using a funnel can help prevent a mess.

If needed, add a little extra alcohol to ensure the beans are fully submerged.

Homemade vanilla extract in a jar with a lid

Step 5: Add a tight-fitting lid to the jar and give it a little shake.

Store the jar in a cool, dark place. It needs to sit for at least 4 months before using, but aging it 6-12 months will offer the most flavor.

When you think about it, give the jar a shake here and there to mix up the ingredients.

How Long Does Homemade Vanilla Last?

Unused vanilla with fully submerged beans will last many years when stored in a cool, dark place.

Aged vanilla with the beans removed will last indefinitely.

Used vanilla extract with beans you top off after each use will stay fresh for about a year. Over time, the beans become less potent. So, if it doesn’t smell like vanilla anymore, it’s past its prime.

Overhead of vanilla extract, vanilla beans, gold scissors, and decorative foliage

Tips for Success

If you want homemade vanilla for seasonal or holiday baking, make sure you make your batch at least four months in advance. For fall baking, I make my vanilla in May or June at the latest.

Vodka offers a more neutral flavor, while bourbon has a deeper alcohol flavor. Vanilla made with vodka is the most popular, but I prefer it with bourbon.

Shake the jar regularly to help infuse the vanilla. I usually give it a shake once in a while when I’m digging around in the pantry.

Remember to label and date the jar. Also, jot down the type of bean and alcohol you used.

Dark glass can help your vanilla last longer, but I make mine in clear glass and store it in my pantry.

Choosing Your Vanilla Beans

I always use Madagascar vanilla beans, but you can tailor your vanilla extract flavor by using different beans.

Madagascar beans offer a classic, rich, creamy vanilla flavor.

Tahitian vanilla beans have floral and fruity notes.

Mexican vanilla beans have a bold, spicy flavor.

An open jar of homemade vanilla extract next to a metal lid and ring

How To Use Homemade Vanilla

Baking: Of course, baking is the prime use for vanilla. I use it in just about everything I bake, from fresh-milled sourdough chocolate chip muffins to sourdough carrot cake and everything in between.

Coffee: Homemade vanilla is delicious in homemade coffee creamer. You can also make a vanilla simple syrup for your lattes.

Whipped Cream: A splash of homemade vanilla in scratch-made whipped cream is next level.

Holidays: This piggybacks off of regular baking, but the holidays are chock full of recipes that use vanilla, like sourdough pumpkin cinnamon rolls, sourdough pumpkin cobbler, and sourdough egg nog bread pudding.

Gifts: Handmade gifts are my favorite. A bottle of homemade vanilla and a handmade sourdough starter gift set are the sweetest gifts for the bakers in your life.

FAQs

Can I reuse vanilla beans?

Yes, as you use the vanilla, you can top off the jar with more alcohol. Keep in mind, though, that eventually (usually around a year or so), you will need to replace the vanilla beans.

Is it safe to use different alcohols?

Definitely, you can use any alcohol you prefer as long as it is 35% or higher ABV (aka 70-100 proof).

Can I make it alcohol-free?

Traditional vanilla extract is made with alcohol, and I haven’t tried making it alcohol-free. However, there are alcohol-free versions online.

Is homemade vanilla extract safe for kids?

When you bake with vanilla extract, the alcohol cooks out, so it is safe for children.

In recipes without baking/cooking, the amount of vanilla is usually negligible. But if you have concerns about vanilla that isn’t baked, you can always leave it out.

Do I need to refrigerate homemade vanilla extract?

No, you can store your homemade vanilla in a cool, dark place.

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