Back in August, I decided to add another gift to my homemade Christmas gifts for friends and family…vanilla extract!
It’s been a little shy of the 6 month waiting time, but I just used some in baking the other day…YUM!!!
I can’t wait to give my family and friends tiny bottles of “Laura’s Homemade Vanilla”. I even ordered labels (for free) from Vistaprint to put on the bottles.
Here’s how you can make your own too:
Homemade Vanilla
1) Get vanilla beans (the cheapest BY FAR are online here) – I used 40 vanilla beans
2) Get vodka (I just got the cheapest there too! Took me a while to find the best sale in the liquor store, because I have never been there!) (I also found a post at GNOWFGLINS that used bourbon to make vanilla too – I think I’ll try that one next time) – I used 1.75L of vodka
3) Get a 1/2 gallon glass jar – I used a Ball 1/2 gallon jar
4) Cut the vanilla beans lengthwise but leave a 1″ space at the top. So they will look like wishbones. Stuff them in the jar
5) Pour the vodka in the jar and give it a big shake
6) Let the jar sit in a cool, dark place (mine is in the upper part of my pantry in the back), and shake around whenever the mood strikes you
7) Let sit for 6 months! (I’ll be a little shy of this for Christmas gifts, but I am planning on pouring my vanilla into small jars (I got the 8 oz ones), and then giving them as gifts with a little booklet of vanilla recipes (you can order that here at Heavenly Homemakers) and I’ll probably just stick a few of the vanilla beans inside the jar too so it can keep getting stronger – one of my homemade Christmas gifts!)
Use in your recipes and enjoy!
Here’s what it looks like now (the picture above is back in August):
What are you doing in the kitchen?
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Dr. Laura
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Twitter: girlichef
This is SO awesome! I haven’t made homemade vanilla in quite a while…but you’ve totally inspired me again. I’m so glad you’re sharing it w/ the hearth and soul hop this week, too
girlichef recently posted..Peanut Butter Bread a GIVEAWAY->cookies and a cookbook from Tates Bake Shop anyone!
Thanks girlichef and you know I am sharing the love
I had never made it before, so I’m so excited it turned out okay!
Dr. Laura
Twitter: ekatskitchen
What a lovely gift idea! I love vanilla, and homemade gifts are always the best!
Erin @ EKat’s Kitchen recently posted..Pumpkin Pie & Crust low sodium
Erin, I can’t take all the credit – Laura at Heavenly Homemakers gave me the idea for a gift. She has a great set of recipe cards to go with it. We are having an almost entirely homemade Christmas (I hope…must finish….)
Dr. Laura
Hi Laura,
This is my first visit to your blog – I saw the link to your hop while on another site! I linked up my Green Bean & Almond – Asian Style recipe this week, and will add your blog to my list of recipe blogs for future visits!
I’m also signing up to follow you and hope you’ll join me over at Create With Joy!
Ramona
Thanks Ramona, I’m following you too now. Welcome and thanks for linking up!
Dr. Laura
Twitter: gettanvi
This is soo cool! I would have never dared to make my own vanilla extract.And given the fact that half of the store varieties smell anything but vanilla…this is such a helpful post! Thanks so much for this post!
Tanvi recently posted..PattaGobhi Matar-Indian Style Cabbage & Peas
Thanks Tanvi, this was the first time making my own as well. It wasn’t hard at all, and definitely was more vanilla than the store bought – plus it’s cheaper too!
Dr. Laura
Twitter: apriljharris
What an interesting post! And what a great gift!
I’ve tried twice to link up and it doesn’t appear to be working – I hope that two identical entries from me won’t suddenly appear later…I’ll pop back later and try again. Thanks for hosting, and for a great Christmas gift idea!
April, it is working. I’ve got two Cauliflower Cheese with Broccoli and Bacon from ya! Maybe refresh the page after linking?? Don’t know why it’s not showing up for you, but thank you for linking!
Dr. Laura
I keep meaning to make this but never have! I’m keeping this as a reminder! Thanks!
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy recently posted..Mexican Ravioli Casserole
You are welcome Debbi – it’s super easy! Didn’t take me long at all.
Dr. Laura
Twitter: LouannesKitchen
Linking up for the 1st time – awesome blog hop!
Thanks Louanne and thanks for linking up. Just followed your site as well!
Dr. Laura
Homemade vanilla is the best!! Thanks for hosting!
Jill recently posted..Organized Chaos
Jill, thanks for stopping by and linking up!
Dr. Laura
Twitter: ElsaCooks
I think this is a brilliant idea. I never even thought of making homemade vanilla extract.
Thanks Elsa, neither had I until I came across how to on the web at Heavenly Homemakers and GNOWFGLINS. Thanks for visiting!
Dr. Laura
Very cool! I didnt know it was that easy to make your own! Found you thru TNSC and now your newest follower!
Thanks Kirby! It’s super easy! Hope you give it a try. Thanks for following and stopping by! I’m following you too!
Dr. Laura
I would love to make bourbon vanilla, but I need to order more beans! I’ve seen this before and really need to get my butt in gear to make it!
Joanna recently posted..Hot Stuff
Joanna, I get my beans from:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CPZSC8?ie=UTF8&tag=or08-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000CPZSC8
The best quality for the least cost.
Dr. Laura
Twitter: Extraodinrylife
Neat, I always wanted to try that but I can never remember on time to do so.
Lisa recently posted..Copycat Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni
Lisa, it took me about 10 minutes total to make 1/2 gallon. Put a note on your calendar to give it a try!
Dr. Laura
Love your homemade vanilla recipe! Great website! I’m your newest follower!
Amanda recently posted..Buffalo Chicken Dip
Amanda,
Thanks for following – I’m following you too now!
Dr. Laura
That is so great! I love traditional recipes instead of store bought…even though I’m guilty of running to the market far too often. Thanks for sharing with the Hearth and Soul hop.
Thanks Jason, and I too run to the store too often as well! Thanks for co-hosting.
Dr. Laura
Miz Laura,
I want to be on your Christmas list. What a great idea. Thank you for sharing and thank you for hosting. You have a great week.
Miz Helen recently posted..Cranberry Nut Bites
Thanks Miz Helen! Thanks for linking up!
Dr. Laura
Twitter: 16ballsinairlib
it’s good with vodka – GREAT with vanilla!!
Need you addy again – I can’t find it and need it to send you the Kombucha>??
Liberty recently posted..Revamped leftovers for Breakfast
Thanks Liberty – just emailed you my address!
Dr. Laura
Twitter: amoderatelife
Hi Dr. L! You know why I am late to the party, but I have to say I am SO pleased at your LOVELY turnout! I also am inspired by the vanilla extract and am totally gonna make some, but it might not make it in time for Christmas, but I use it so often i will never buy some again! COOL! I am linking up a guest post for upside down cake because well, you know I cant really type right now! Hope things get back to normal after your storm! Sending tons of love. Alex
alex@amoderatelife recently posted..When things turn upside down- why not make a cake Guest post!
HI Alex,
Forced relaxation. Blog post to come. First, getting the Tackling Bittman post up!
Thanks for linking up despite your injury! We just got internet back here this morning and still no power. It’s hard to be “off the grid” for days
Dr. Laura
I have been trying to link up since Tuesday and my computer is giving me problems. I got through to a few linkys but not many. Hopefully, we will solve the problems, by next week. I didn’t forget you.
Chaya recently posted..Lets Do Lunch 5
Thanks Chaya, no worries! Computers have a mind of their owns. Link up when you can
The linky is open until Monday evening, when the new one goes up.
Dr. Laura
Very Cute gift idea for the vanilla with recipes!!!
honeybeecooksjackfruit recently posted..Donna’s Delectable Honey Oatmeal Bread – with raisin cinnamon swirl
Thanks honeybee. I can’t take all the credit! I got the great idea and the recipe cards from Heavenly Homemakers: http://bit.ly/1heavenlyhome
Dr. Laura
Twitter: fudgerippleblog
i am with you…i haven’t purchased vanilla extract in several years now. it is so simple, i don’t know why everyone doesn’t make their own! thank you for linking up to tuesday night supper club!
christy recently posted..clementine margarita marmalade
Christy, it took me entirely too long to give it a try and now I can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner! Vanilla is one of those super easy (and a lot less expensive) things. Now I know better.
Dr. Laura
Twitter: bfmom
Yummy! I wish again that I had made this for Xmas gifts. I always forget. It is such a great gift idea!
Melodie recently posted..Vegetarian Foodie Fridays 29
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