YIELD: 5 CUPS
Although vanilla extract is fairly easy to come by, the stuff made at home is superior in flavor and will last virtually forever.
I like to make up a big batch at once and bottle to give away to friends.
Dark vanilla extract bottles work well for storing. Simply scrub off the labels and replace them with new!
5 cups bourbon (vodka works well, too)
12 vanilla beans, split
- Pour 5 cups of bourbon into a clean jar or bottle.
- Place the vanilla beans into the bottle of bourbon and reseal tightly.
- Place in cool dark place, such as a pantry, and store for 3 months.
- After three months, you can either use it straight from the bottle or bottle individually, leaving at least 1 vanilla bean in each bottle.
- As the bottle becomes empty, replace with more bourbon.
- After one year, replace the vanilla beans with new. Store in airtight container.
SWEET FACT
Vanilla beans are the second most expensive spice after saffron because growing and harvesting the beans is incredibly labor intensive.
