October 31, 2012

Holiday Gift Planning: Homemade Vanilla Extract {Naptime Simple Tips}

Homemade Vanilla Extract via The Naptime ChefIt is technically never too early to start thinking about holiday gifts. This year I was especially organized with my ideas. Since I knew I’d be in no mood to stand on my feet long periods in December I canned all my Peppermint Fudge Sauce in August! However, that isn’t the only thing I give out around the holidays. Oh no, my friends, I always have several gifties up my sleeve including simple homemade vanilla extract.

Last year I did a quick post about it as part of something bigger, but this year I am posting the recipe again since it was recently requested on Facebook. If you want to give it away to your friends and family I highly recommend you get started making it this week – no later – so it is ready for gifting in December!

Recipe

Homemade Vanilla Extract

makes 6 jars

Ingredients

48 ounces clear vodka, try to use the best quality you can afford
6 vanilla beans
6 sterilized 8 ounce glass jars with lids and rims

Instructions

1. Line the sterilized jars up on a level countertop. Use a small paring knife to slit the bean from the very top to the very bottom, but do not scrape out the seeds. Merely fold the pod open a little bit so the seeds are exposed.

2. Curl one vanilla bean into each glass jar and fill each jar to the top with vodka, leaving 1/8-inch headspace. Close the jars with the lids and rims without touching the inside of the jar or bottom of the lid.

3. Place the jars in a cool, dark place like a basement or deep cupboard. Once a week gently shake each jar to agitate the bean a little bit. By mid-December the vodka will be a deep brown color and the extract will be ready for use!

4. Once you use up the vanilla extract remove the vanilla pod and stuff it into your sugar jar to make vanilla sugar!

Naptime Notes

Naptime Recipe Serving ideas

This extract is excellent for all kinds of baking and anything you typically use vanilla extract in.

Naptime Stopwatch

10 minutes prep time, 40 days waiting time

Naptime Reviews

 

 

 

4 Responses to “Holiday Gift Planning: Homemade Vanilla Extract {Naptime Simple Tips}”

  1. Lizthechef says:

    I have been meaning to make my own vanilla for ages – copied and printed your recipe. Will hop to it pronto but doubt I will want to give too much away. Be well, be safe –

  2. […] Homemade vanilla extract. Hello, DIY Christmas […]

  3. […] simple and meaningful gifts this holiday season and one of our favorite DIY cooking ideas is some Homemade Vanilla Extract from The Naptime Chef. Great for any home cook to incorporate your cooking skills and create a […]

  4. […] year when we start thinking about homemade holiday gifts. Yes, I did make my big batch gifts like Homemade Vanilla Extract and Peppermint Hot Fudge Sauce earlier this year, but my smaller batch gifts are just getting […]