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Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe

This simple vanilla extract recipe calls for only three ingredients plus a bottle. Anyone can master this and it has a shelf life of over four years.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time60 days
Total Time60 days 10 minutes
Course: Ingredient
Cuisine: American
Keyword: vanilla extract

Ingredients

  • 1 part water
  • 3 whole vanilla beans
  • 3 parts food-grade vegetable glycerin
  • 1 empty glass bottle, dark brown or clear

Instructions

  • The exact amounts of water and glycerin you use will depend on the size of your bottle. You will want to use 3 whole vanilla beans for every cup of glycerin you use.
  • Add 3 parts glycerin and 1 part water together and pour it into the glass bottle using a funnel. Fill the bottle 2/3 full.
  • Cut three vanilla beans open lengthwise for every cup of glycerin you use.
  • Add the beans into the bottle of glycerin making sure they are fully submerged.
  • Add a cap to the bottle and store in a cool, dark place for two months. Shake the bottle once per week.
  • After two months, your homemade extract is ready to use.

Notes

This will be thicker than normal vanilla extract, but will still be just as tasty!