Homemade Vanilla Extract- recipe please?

ShiningThrough

Sun, Aug 03 2008, 5:23 pm

I hate to use artificial flavoring in my baking but it's pretty much the only affordable option around here.

So, I'd like to try making my own vanilla extract- I bought vanilla beans and need to know what kind of alcohol to use and amounts.

Anyone? TIA~

montrealmommy

Sun, Aug 03 2008, 6:50 pm

It can be made really in any simple, pure spirit - for strong vanilla - vodka is good,

my personal favorite is dark rum, second place would go to white rum. Dark rum implarts a slightly sweet taste to the vanilla and rum in general gives a very smooth, mellow vanila flavor.

I know people who have used bourbon or whiskey - not for me, too harsh.

Alos, I usually let mine sit at least 3-4 weeks before using it to get a good flavor going. for 375 ml of liquid I will use 2-4 vanilla beans depending on size and freshness. You can keep adding alc. as you use it, if adding while there is still some left, you should wait at elast 24 hrs so the flavors can blend, if you are adding new alc. to used vanilla beans, wait at elast 1 week for good flavor.

Once beans begin to dessintegrate, I press out the softened seeds and make either vanilla sugar with it, or put it in milk for flavored milk (like to make a custard or ice cream) or dry it and add it to a jar of instant coffee for homemade flavored cofffee!

Tamiri

Mon, Aug 04 2008, 12:51 am

Alchohol is supposed to be best but it's expensive, so I use vodka. I take a 750 ml or 1 liter bottle and add three beans. I split the beans and let them sit in the vodka. The recommended duration is 3 months, but it's ready a lot sooner. It gets darker the longer it sits, up to a point. I don't know what that point is since the vodka vanilla doesn't last too long. We go through 3-4 bottles/year (insane) since my kids put it in milkshakes, pancakes etc. besides the regular baking uses.

BeershevaBubby

Mon, Aug 04 2008, 2:11 am

About 500ml vodka, 4 vanilla beans, split and scraped. Add the scrapings to the vodka, drop in the split beans and put in a dark cupboard for at least 2 months.

BeershevaBubby

Mon, Aug 04 2008, 2:12 am

About 500ml vodka, 4 vanilla beans, split and scraped. Add the scrapings to the vodka, drop in the split beans and put in a dark cupboard for at least 2 months.

Tamiri

Mon, Aug 04 2008, 2:17 am

I buy them at Adin spice store on Rehov HaEgoz in Machane Yehuda, 10 nis per bean as of a few weeks ago. They are usually more expensive elsewhere. They are called maklot vaneel. Get them when they are moist, not dried out. They should be like fresh Twizzlers.