Homemade vanilla extract can be made with different types of vanilla beans and different types of alcohol. However, when you're making your first batch, it's nice to have everything spelled out for you. That's what I try to do here.
Decanted in bottles of 2, 4, or 8 ounces, labeled, with a ribbon or twine around the neck of the bottle, homemade vanilla extract makes a fine gift for the bakers you love.
Vanilla
Extract
Makes 3 cups
16 Grade B
Madagascar vanilla beans (I paid $16 for Grade A)
750 milliliters
Wild Turkey 101 bourbon whiskey (I paid $20)
1. Uncork bourbon. Pour out an ounce or two of
bourbon and place in small jar.
2. Use dull knife to flatten and smooth out beans.
4. Insert beans into neck of bourbon bottle.
5. Replace cork and shake. Push down vanilla beans
with a chopstick if necessary.
6. Add enough of the reserved bourbon to cover vanilla
beans.
7. Place bourbon bottle and reserved jar of bourbon in
cool, dark place
8. For four to six months, shake bourbon bottle
every day or two, adding reserved bourbon as necessary to keep vanilla beans
covered. If reserved bourbon runs out, any bourbon may be used to top off the
bottle.
9. Vanilla extract can be decanted into smaller
bottles, using a funnel. Vanilla beans can be removed if desired. Vanilla
extract can be filtered through a coffee filter to remove vanilla seeds.
NOTE: Madagascar vanilla beans
give a classic, robust flavor. Tahitian vanilla beans give a subtly fruity and
floral flavor. Mexican vanilla beans give a smooth and somewhat spicy flavor.
Vanilla beans can be ordered on amazon.com. Beanilla Trading Company is another source; their beans are distributed by Spice Jungle.
Vanilla beans can be ordered on amazon.com. Beanilla Trading Company is another source; their beans are distributed by Spice Jungle.