Can you really call something a recipe if it’s only 2 ingredients? Well, Vanilla Extract is surprisingly easy to make. Just two things you need: alcohol and vanilla beans. Yup. You wouldn’t know that if you looked on the ingredients of most vanilla extracts, since a lot of companies like to sweeten their extracts with corn syrup.

We tend to go through a ton of vanilla extract over in my home. I’m always making my no-refined sugars homemade granola, and we just go right through the extract. Making my own has saved a bit of cash! I mean, vanilla beans can be a little expensive… but we have a local store that sold some lovely organic beans for $1.50 each. There’s also a company I found online, Beanilla, that has a lovely variety of beans (for less than you’d probably pay at most grocery stores).

Vanilla Extract Recipe

• • 2 oz. dark bottle (I recommend Boston Rounds)
  • 1 vanilla bean
  • 2 oz. of vodka (or bourbon)
  • 8.5 x 11 inch sticker printout sheet
  • 1.5 inch circle punch
  • Optional: ribbon
  • free vanilla extract label printables!

Directions:

– Split your vanilla bean in half (lengthwise).

– Cut the bean sections into pieces that will fit into your bottle. Put the beans into the bottle.

– Pour the alcohol into the bottle and screw on the lid. Shake the bottle a couple times. Store in a dark space for 6 – 8 weeks. Ta dah! You now have Vanilla Extract. Print out your labels and cut them out with a circle cutter. I’ve provided blank labels you can use for spices and the vanilla labels you see in the photos.

You know what’s super cool about this? When you run out of the vanilla extract you made, just add more alcohol and let the beans soak for another 6 – 8 weeks. I think keeping 3 bottles on hand and refilling as needed will help. I’m not sure how many times you can reuse the bean, but test it out!

Enjoy that homemade vanilla extract!

– Chelsey

Disclosure: I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website. There are affiliate links in this post. Thank you for your support. I am a paid contributor on the HP Create website.