How to make it

  • Place the beans in a 1 cup jar with a porcelain lid.
  • Fill with bourbon.
  • Cover and let stand for 2 weeks.
  • As you use the extract, you can replace what you uswe with more bourbon until the beans are expired.
  • For a lighter extract use vodka.
  • For a heavier extract use brandy.

Reviews & Comments 10

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  • sher 16 years ago
    I have had some on the go for months now will definitely try the bourbon next time. My recipe called for Vodka and months in a cool dark place.
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  • edensong 17 years ago
    I knew about using vodka. Thanks for the tip about brandy and bourbon.
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  • dariana 17 years ago
    Homemade vanilla extract, now that is too cool. I am going to give this a try, wish me luck!
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    " It was good "
    atokadawn ate it and said...
    I used brandy and it came out great!
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  • dandelion 17 years ago
    Do you remove the seeds first? I have made vanilla sugar sans the seeds. I just add the bean shells to granulated sugar as I use up the seeds. Can I do this for vanilla extract? Also can I use a canning jar with a Plastisol liner?
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    " It was good "
    psy333che ate it and said...
    I havent tried bourbon I huse vodka all the time..
    I am going to try bourbon next Thanks
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    " It was good "
    chefsharon ate it and said...
    I'd say Kentucky Bourbon. What else is there? LOL
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  • merry 17 years ago
    What kind of bourbon are you using? Does the quality matter?
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    " It was excellent "
    scearley ate it and said...
    20 beans in a fifth is only 3 beans per cup, which is only 50% more than the recipe here. Using vodka rather than bourbon necessarily makes a lighter extract.

    Further, almost all so-called mexican vanilla is synthetic.
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    " It was not good "
    chefcarolyn ate it and said...
    I've tried this and have found that the extract I've made has been quite weak. I have at least 20 vanilla beans in my 5th of vodka, have even pureed it all to try to get more flavor, and it does not stand up to my Mexican vanilla. As excited as I was to try it I think my money is better spent elsewhere.
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