Ever notice how expensive vanilla extract is? And the imitation stuff is filled with chemicals. Even the pure vanilla extract can have added sugar or water to it. I found this recipe from the Thrifty Mama and just had to try it! My friend bought the vanilla beans online, but you can find them at some grocery stores (probably Whole Foods or stores similar). They may be cheaper online so search around. Also, get decent vodka to get the best product! The Thrifty Mama calculated it to be about $0.66 per ounce which beats Aldi’s $0.995 per ounce.
All you need is….
10-15 vanilla beans
750 ml decent vodka
Directions:
- Take vanilla beans and slit them in half
- Pour out a little bit of the vodka so there is room for the vanilla beans
- Throw the vanilla beans in the bottle of vodka and put the top back on
- Store in a cool dark place
- Shake once a week for 3 months or less
- Then its ready to use!
Super easy right? Anyone could do it and cheaper than buying it from the store! Go ahead, try it, and see the difference!
This was part of the Homestead Barn Hop, Thrifty Thursday,
and Craft-O-Maniacs link party, Dog Days of Winter
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve seen several bloggers post about this and I can’t wait to try it. I would like to give as Christmas gifts next year. I didn’t realize until reading how yucky the imitation is.
It is such a great Christmas gift and I plan to do the same thing!
Oh, that sounds GREAT!!!!…Thanks for the easy tutorial
Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 
I’m glad I could help! Good luck!
I love this idea and recipe and will try it soon!
I’ve heard of pouring the vodka and beans into smaller individual bottles and steeping it that way, but never heard of putting all the beans into the big bottle….that makes much more sense than trying to find small bottles!
Yep either way would work but this would be much easier! Glad I could inspire you!
Love this- definitely am going to have to try soon! Thanks for sharing
I was talking to my husband the other day about making vanilla. Guess I need to get my ingredients together and do it now. So simple to do! Thanks!
I’ve been meaning to make some but I never plan far enough ahead. I just purchased a 16 oz bottle of vanilla extract from Costco so I think this might be the time to start making a batch. Thanks so much for sharing. Have a wonderful day!
Marilyn
This is a great idea. I was able to get some McCormicks vanilla a while back really cheap on sale with coupons but I’m on my last little bottle. Time to make my own!
Good Luck! Its so much more fun to do it yourself!
I like Kelly’s idea of Christmas presents, especially since it can take up to 6 months to make. Definitely puts a new spin on Christmas in July. Thanks for posting the idea.
Yea its a great idea for Christmas and a gift people would appreciate! Especially when your on a limited budget!
Hi Amy,
This recipe sounds wonderful and too easy. I have been thinking about making some and I am sure glad I read this post. Thanks for sharing.
No problem so glad I could help. Its kinda fun to make too!
I can say, since I make and sell my own vanilla extract…it really takes about 6 months to do it right….and the clues I use…when you open the bottle at first, you smell alcohol with a hint of vanilla. As it ages you start smelling them both. When it changes until you are smelling MORE vanilla than alcohol, then you are ready. If you try to use it before then, the flavor of the alcohol overpowers the vanilla and ruins it.
http://www.windyhillvanilla.com
Its funny because I had on there 3 to 6 months but my vanilla seemed to come about a lot sooner so I just edited it. But I trust you and this is good advice! Thanks for sharing
I was wondering where you got the bottles that you pictured. I planned on doing this for christmas presents and I really like these jars.
Thanks.
Angel
Hey Angel! Sorry I am not sure exactly I used someones photo! I think you can find cute jars at hobby lobby in the glass section!
Hi Amy, I love your blog! I’ve been browsing, turning pages and enjoying myself! I’ve made vanilla too & I love the little bottle you found to package yours in. I found them at The Container Store online.
Have a great day!
Jan
Thanks Jan for the encouragement! I love yours too! Thanks for coming by and becoming a follower!
SUPER easy! I had no idea!!
I have to try this! Luckily my brother works in a package store so he can hook me up with some good vodka at a discount.
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good idea!
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