Homemade Vanilla Extract

Once you’ve made this yourself, you’ll never buy the imitation vanilla from the supermarket again. It’s so much more cost efficient than the store-brought stuff, plus it tastes a hundred times better. You can use the extract after 6 weeks, but it’ll develop even better flavour after 6 months or longer.

Gluten-free | Dairy-free | Vegan

Ingredients

9 whole vanilla beans

3 cups vodka

Method

Slice each pod lengthways and place in a clean bottle or jar. Pour in the vodka so the vanilla beans are completely submerged. Fasten the lid and give it a good shake.

Store in a cool, dark place and shake once or twice a week, when you remember.

Tip

If you don’t have vodka handy you can also use Bourbon, rum or brandy – any brand or quality is fine. It’s the quality of the vanilla beans, not the alcohol, that’ll give you the best flavour!