As I was looking through the pinterest pages the other day I found a homemade gift pin that included homemade vanilla extract. I was intrigued. Can't find the pin, even though I swear I pinned it, but hey I did see it. Since the holiday season is among us, and handmade gifts need to start being made I am on it.
Since I lost the pin I had to find a recipe, but it turns out vanilla extract is super simple to make. Why have I been paying so much over the years for this stuff?
I found long vanilla beans and bottles on amazon, then went to the store and bought vodka. Funny story, I don't know when I have ever purchased hard liquor before and our store has a roving liquor/wine lady who helps you. Well I must have looked confused as all get out because she zipped right over. Since we were not looking a beer I didn't really have a CLUE what the better deal was, and that was really all I was looking for; a good deal. I knew I had a coupon on my app thingy, but she wasn't in the mood to give me time to compare and such. She tried to sell me kettle one, which I am sure is a great vodka, but truly, couldn't tell you, until I told her what I was doing. Then it was to the Smirnoff and I was out of there.
So I cleaned out my bottles, sliced my vanilla beans and added the vodka and beans to the bottles. From what I read online this is one of those it gets better with time, so I had to get it started now for giving in December.
I must say this is a relatively inexpensive and EASY homemade gift.
Here is what I have so far:
This was the first day. No color, just sitting in the vodka extracting....
Now it is starting to look like vanilla extract! I can't wait to try it!
What are you making for the holidays?
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