Homemade Vanilla Extract

Serves: 4

Felicia King

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

46

Spice

52

Sweetness

49

Sourness

34

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.2

Difficulty

Ingredients:

450 g

Vodka

4 cups

Whole Almonds

3 cup

Sugar

1 tsp

Salt

Directions:

1

Using a sharp knife, slice the vanilla beans open lengthwise to expose the seeds

2

Tuck the beans in the jar or bottle and pour in the vodka

3

Close the jar, shake it a few times, and place it in a cool, dark space

4

Let the jar rest for 6 to 8 weeks, shaking it again once or twice a week

5

The mixture will get darker and darker over time

6

When the extract starts to run low, top it off with more vodka and shake again

7

Also, whenever you use a vanilla bean, don't hesitate to add it to the jar after you've used it

8

This will continue to "feed" your vanilla extract and it should keep forever

9

Vanilla Variations: Vanilla Sugar: Split 2 vanilla beans and scrape the seeds into an air-tight container with 3 cups granulated sugar

10

Cover the beans in sugar and tightly seal

11

Let the sugar sit for 2 weeks

12

Use just as you would use regular granulated sugar

13

Vanilla Almonds: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F

14

Beat the egg white with the vanilla extract, add the almonds and stir to coat

15

Combine the sugar, salt, and cinnamon and combine with mixture

16

Place in a single layer on a greased baking sheet

17

Bake at 300 degrees F for 20 minutes

18

Remove and cool on wax paper and break into clusters