Making Homemade Vanilla Extract

With all the baking I do here on the Gubba Homestead I wanted to learn how to make more of my own and how to store it for years to come. I got a little crazy with this one and make made own vanilla extract!

With prices soaring on all products it never hurts to protect yourself from rising costs by making and growing your own. There are also other benefits to this. By making your own vanilla extract you get to control the strength of the vanilla and what you put into it. I don’t know about you but store bought vanilla extract always seems so bland so I decided to spice it up with some Captain Morgan!

What do you need to make your own vanilla extract?

Spiced rum or vodka and whole vanilla beans. That’s it!

How do you make homemade vanilla extract?

Take 5 whole vanilla beans and cut them in half and then down the center of the bean. Do not cut all the way through; simply slice one side and open it to expose the seeds. Place 5 halves into a pint mason jar and fill it with vodka or rum. Leave an inch at the top of the jar and cover with a cut of wax paper and seal it with a screw on lid. Allow it to brew for 1.5 to 2 years. Yep, YEARS

You will need to shake your jars pretty often at first but slow down over time. I recommend the following.
The first month shake daily
Months 2-5 shake once a week
Months 5 and on shake once a month