If you haven’t noticed, I think any baked good tastes better with vanilla extract.

In fact, I normally double the vanilla in recipes. I just think it gives a recipe an added something.

Vanilla also gives off a sweet aroma, which melds well when baking sweet creations. Did you know that the aroma of a food can be responsible for 90% of its taste?

So, vanilla extract is very important. It can also be expensive and if you happen to bake frequently {like me!} you’ll go through it quickly. I happened to find vanilla beans for 79 cents a piece at the store, which is a steal. I had some leftover cheap vodka from my pie making adventures and put the rest of it to use in making homemade vanilla extract. I figure a.) I’ll use it and b.) it would be a super cute gift item for friends and family.

Instructions

This is just the easiest recipe ever. Go by the one cup vodka:3 vanilla bean ratio. I doubled this recipe and used six vanilla beans.

Slice down the middle, leaving one-inch at the top and bottom of the beans. This ensures that they don’t fall apart in the process.

Place in clean jar and add two cups of vodka {just use the cheap stuff since it doesn’t affect the end result.}

Mash the vanilla beans down to absorb the liquid.

Now, it does take eight weeks to produce vanilla extract. Place jar in cool, dark place and give a shake once a week. I might even splurge on some cute bottles for the vanilla extract.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

• 1 cup vodka
• 3 whole vanilla beans

Directions

1. Cut the beans down the middle, leaving one-inch on each end.

2. Place in clean jar with lid.

3. Add vodka and mash vanilla beans into the liquid as best as possible.

4. Store in a cool, dark place (like a cabinet) for 8 weeks, shaking jar each week.