Homemade Vanilla Extract

If you bake anywhere near as much as I do, you probably go through vanilla extract pretty quickly. At one time, I felt like I was buying those tiny little bottles every few weeks at the grocery store. And those babies aren’t cheap! The good news is, homemade vanilla extract is easy, super flavorful, and, over time, cheaper. Let’s make some!

The best thing about making homemade vanilla extract is that you only need two ingredients: vanilla beans and alcohol.

Homemade vanilla extract is so easy and flavorful.

I know I said making your own vanilla extract is cheaper over time, and off the bat, you’re probably thinking, hey, vanilla beans aren’t cheap! Hear me out. I know they’re not the cheapest things out there. At my local grocery stores, I’m lucky if I can find a jar with ONE bean for $9 or $10. When I stumble upon a jar with TWO beans, you bet I buy it. Sometimes around the holidays, Costco carries little glass tubes with 5 whole beans for $12-$13. You can also buy them in bulk online if you’re having a hard time finding them in your stores.

Now, there are two main types of vanilla beans you should know: grade A (gourmet) and grade B. For extracts, you want to look for grade B beans. You can read more about the differences and science behind the different grades here , here, and here. And here are some grade A beans if you’re curious.

Next is the alcohol. The first choice is usually vodka. It’s clear, neutral, and takes on other flavors easily. You could also use bourbon, light/clear rum or brandy, depending on what kind of flavor you’re going for (aside from vanilla, obviously). Light rum will result in a smooth, rich flavor. Bourbon will give you a deeper, richer flavor with a little hint of molasses. Brandy will make your extract heavier and sweeter. I’ve made vanilla extract with both vodka and bourbon. I actually like vodka-based extract better.

Ultimately it’s up to you! Whichever alcohol you decide, choose one that’s good quality (but doesn’t have to be top-shelf), and make sure it’s at least 80 proof. I use either Dixie Southern vodka or Tito’s, and for my bourbon batches, I use Four Roses. Each of those is roughly $20 for a fifth (750ml).

Up front, you can spend up to $40 for ingredients, depending on how many beans you buy, or the alcohol you choose. I know I said this was more cost-effective. Over time, it is. A 6-8 ounce bottle of good, pure vanilla extract at the store might run you $15 or more. By buying your own beans and alcohol, you can make multiple bottles of extract the way YOU like it, control the quality and quantity, and save money in the long run.

How to make Homemade Vanilla Extract

To make it, you will need:

• Vanilla beans 
• Alcohol of choice (vodka or bourbon)
• Glass bottles
• Funnel or measuring cup with easy-pour spout

In the past, I used the little bottles from my Aldi wine advent calendar. Reduce, reuse, recycle, y’all. They’re about 6 ounces each, so the perfect size for making some extract. If you want to get larger bottles (or already have some on hand), that’s perfectly fine. You’ll just add more beans. I like clear bottles so I can see how dark the extract gets over time. I really like these flask-style flip top bottles, too.

For reference: the bottle on the left is my newest bottle, so it has no color yet. It’ll get richer and darker over time! The middle bottle is about a year old. And the jar on the right is my “forever vanilla,” to which I add spent vanilla beans and top off with vodka from time to time. Claire Saffitz explains this in her video about vanilla extract.

Here’s how to make homemade vanilla extract!

1. Carefully split your bean(s) in half, but don’t slice it completely through—just enough to split it open and expose the beans on the inside.
2. For every 8 ounces of alcohol, add 1 split bean to your bottle(s).
3. Fill bottle(s) almost to the top with your alcohol.
4. Give your bottle(s) a good shake.
5. Put bottle(s) in a cool, dark place for at least 4 weeks. The longer you let it rest, the stronger and deeper the flavor will be.
6. When it’s ready, use it in your favorite recipes!

That’s it! See, pretty easy. Over time, you’ll find that making your own vanilla extract is way more cost-efficient than buying those tiny bottles at the store.

Then you can use this homemade vanilla extract in your favorite recipes! I use mine in things like:

• Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Pumpkin Mug Cakes for Two
• Snickerdoodles
• Cheesecake Brownies
• Banana Bread
• Birthday Bundt Cake

Thanks so much for reading and eating along, y’all! If you’re craving more, follow me on Instagram and Pinterest, and sign up for my email list so you never miss a recipe. If you make one of my recipes, tag me on Instagram or share a photo on my Facebook page so I can see your creations!

Homemade Vanilla Extract

An easy homemade version of vanilla extract so you don't have to keep buying it at the store!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Ingredient

Cuisine American

Servings 1 bottle (6-8 oz)

Equipment

• Glass bottles
• Measuring cup
• Funnel

Ingredients

  

• 1-2 whole vanilla beans (grade B if possible)
• 8 oz alcohol (vodka or bourbon work best)

Instructions

 

• Carefully split vanilla bean(s) in half to expose the seeds, without cutting through it completely.
• Add split bean(s) to bottle.
• Fill bottle almost to the top with alcohol of choice, and close tightly.
• Give the bottle a good shake, and store in a cool, dark place for at least one month.
• Shake before using, and then use it as called for in your favorite recipes.

Keyword DIY, extract, flavor, ingredient, vanilla, vanilla extract

NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) for any sales generated via those links. Thanks so much for supporting Scratchmade Southern!

This post was originally published May 2020; last updated November 2022.