Homemade Vanilla Extract
Submitted by Julie Eason from Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative Co.
Ingredients:
3 vanilla beans
8 oz. Vodka
Tools:
Small funnel
2-4 oz. clear bottles with lids
sharp knife
Directions:
Wash the bottles and lids with soapy water and rinse. With boiling hot water, carefully sanitize the bottles and allow to air dry.
Using a sharp knife, cut each vanilla bean in half. Then hold the end of each half and slice lengthwise down the center starting about ¼” from the end. This opens up the bean and allows the bean to saturate into the vodka. Place three of the split halves in a jar.
Using a funnel, pour 4 ounces of vodka into each bottle, covering the vanilla beans completely. Cover tightly with a lid and let it brew for six to eight weeks in a cool, dark place. Give it a gentle shake every week or so. The longer you allow the vanilla to sit, the darker it will become and the more intense the vanilla flavor will be.
Apply a label to the bottle letting the recipient know when the vanilla will be ready to use. Pre-designed labels are available on the internet.
