The perfect homemade gift that is both simple and budget-friendly.
Attention all of you vanilla extract lovers out there. No, not the cheap imitation junk that makes a mockery of our pure vanilla deliciousness. The REAL STUFF. Well, today is your lucky day to become a true DIY vanilla extract master.
Cooking may not be a favorite skill of mine, but baking is prominently featured in our household. And what better way to expand kitchen skills than becoming a little more self-sufficient? Making your own extract recipes is so easy and cost saving, especially when all the baking supplies jump up in price. Thanks inflation.
Using Homemade Extracts for Gifts
Everyone loves gifts they can use in the kitchen. Food, cooking ingredients, and small kitchen tools are all popular items. So when it comes to homemade gifts, why not choose something that is practical, tasty in recipes and can be easily assembled?
Need a gift for neighbors or your office co-workers for the holidays? DIY extracts are the perfect choice. What about wedding gifts or Mother's Day? These extract recipes are just the thing to show your appreciation for some of your favorite, or possibly (not so) favorite people.
Supplies for Homemade Vanilla Extract
- Vodka - The best vodka for making vanilla extract is at least 80 proof. It doesn't matter if it is the cheap stuff.
- Vanilla beans: Madagascar grade A vanilla beans
- 16 oz glass bottles for vanilla extract
- Sharp knife
- Funnel
- Cutting board
- Amber bottle if wanting longer storage option. Amber bottles help to block the light so the extract will keep longer.
How to Become a Vanilla Extract Master
Are you ready to become a true vanilla extract master? This DIY is one of the EASIEST with 2 food ingredients and a storage container.
Step 1 - Cut the Bean
You'll want to begin by channeling your inner Gordon Ramsay knife skills. Gather your cutting board, knife and beans. I say beans, but really, they look more like dark brown sticks.
Using a sharp knife, slice the bean down the center but do not cut it all the way in half.
This will make it so the vanilla bean will extract faster. However, you do want them in whole pieces and not completely shredded.
Step 2 - Add Your Beans to the Bottle
Ideally you will want a glass bottle for this step. It needs to be an air tight bottle you can shake without anything spilling.
Add 5 to 6 beans per 16 oz bottle.
Step 3 - Add Your Vodka
Using a small funnel, add your vodka to fill the bottle. The vodka brand doesn't need to be specific. Put the lid on and shake it up really well.
Place your vanilla extract bottle in a dark cabinet for 6 weeks. Shake it up every week or so.
Once your 6 weeks are up you can leave the beans in the bottle and use it as is. However, if you keep it in the clear bottle it needs to be in a dark place so light doesn't ruin your extract. We like to transfer the liquid only to amber bottles so it keeps even longer and we can then store it in our spice cabinet.
Pro Tip: Amber bottles will help to preserve the extract longer by blocking out the excess light.
And there you have it. Vanilla extract master in all your baking glory.
But we can't just leave it at that. You definitely need to add almond extract master to your resume as well. And with the ingredients you already have for making vanilla extract, you might as well make almond too.
Supplies for Making Almond Extract
- Vodka - The best vodka for making vanilla extract is at least 80 proof.
- Raw skinless almonds
- 16 oz glass bottles for almond extract
- Funnel
- Amber bottle if wanting longer storage option. Amber bottles help to block the light so the extract will keep longer.
Becoming an Almond Extract Master
Pure almond extract is definitely where it's at. And with such an easy recipe, how can you resist?
Step 1 - Add Almonds to Your Glass Containers
Fill your glass containers approximately ⅔ full of almonds. Yep, you read that right. Make sure it is ⅔ full of almonds for whatever size of container you are using, so that the almond flavoring will be adequate.
(The almond amounts in the picture above look disproportionate in the photo, so just go with the ⅔ full concept.)
Step 2 - Add Your Vodka
Using a small funnel, add your vodka to fill the bottle. Put the lid on and shake it up really well. Like the vanilla, you will want to use a 16 oz bottle for this amount of almonds.
Place your extract bottle in a dark cabinet for 6 weeks. Shake it up every week or so.
Wait 6 weeks and then your homemade almond extract is ready to use. If you don't wait the full allotted time the flavor won't be as strong. When your 6 weeks are up, either leave it in a dark cabinet for use inside a clear bottle, or move it into an amber bottle inside your spice cabinet.
Looking for another homemade dessert that can be a great neighbor gift for the holidays? Try my easy peppermint bark or my yummy snickerdoodle cookies.
DIY extracts are so easy to make and the perfect gift to give to anyone. Enjoy these 2 ingredient extract recipes. Happy DIYing!
Brooke
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