Homemade Vanilla extract is easy to make.

We currently live in Italy, so our access to some ingredients is more limited here.

One of these is real vanilla extract.  I can easily get various forms of vanilla flavoring (which is too synthetic for my liking) and it is not hard to find vanilla pods, but I like extract.  It is what seems to be called for in most recipes and it is what I have become most used to using.

When it is available it is shocking how expensive it is.  $7 for one fluid ounce!!! I am a little to thrifty to pay that kind of a price so I decided to take matters in to my own hands and figure out how to make it.  I was pleased to find out how easy it is.  Now that I know I will never buy it again. If you would like to make it too, here’s how:

You will need:

• 1 bottle of cheap vodka
• 3 vanilla pods (or more if you want!)
• 1 bottle (I got mine from Ikea)
• Thats it!!!!

With a very sharp, small knife, slice the pods in half length ways. Using the backside of the knife, scrape out the tiny little seeds and place them into the bottle. Then place the pods into the bottle.

Fill up the bottle with the vodka. (I added more vodka to this bottle later as I had run out)  This Ikea bottle holds about 18oz  of liquid.

Let the mixture sit in a dry place, out of direct sunlight for about 3 months.  Over time the vanilla pods and seeds infuse into the vodka making a beautiful amber concoction.  It can look a little creepy with the pods inside so I decant a mall amount into a smaller bottle. That way I can keep adding more vodka or vanilla pods to the larger bottle and use the smallI bottle to work from.

I highly recommend making your own vanilla extract.  Not only is it super easy; it is way more cost effective. It is also means we get pure vanilla extract and we are sure we have clean ingredients.  Is vodka a clean ingredient???

And no, it does not smell like cocktail time every time we bake cookies or a cake at our home.  After a few months the bottle takes on the fragrant scent of vanilla. . . . .delicious!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by the blog today.

Criona♥