Start your DIY vanilla jar now, and it will be ready just in time for cozy holiday baking and gifting. Think homemade cookies, festive frostings, and thoughtful DIY gifts. Homemade Vanilla Extract is about to take your baking up to a whole new level! Plump vanilla beans soaked in a spirit create a rich, deep flavor every baker desires. Your cookies, cakes, and desserts will taste so amazing that you will want to bake with them always. You will be shocked by how simple it is to make.
Vanilla is a Must-Have Ingredient in Baked Goods
I have been a long proponent of a certain brand of vanilla and vanilla bean paste because, well, it is so darn good in all my baked goods. Check out our Desserts page for more recipes!
This year, I decided to challenge myself to make my own, and you know what I discovered? It is SO SIMPLE to make vanilla extract!
I mean, really, really easy. With a few items, you can make homemade vanilla in 3 easy steps!
Good vanilla extract from scratch
This little experiment took hold after watching Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa) on the Food Network and her use of the term “use good vanilla.”
Here, I always thought I was using good vanilla, but then I thought about it and wondered, what exactly made the vanilla good? The vanilla bean pods
? The vodka?
I determined it requires both, and both are what the user, you and me, decide are “good” for our taste.
Related recipes: Nana's Sand Tarts, Classic Sugar Cookies, Cinnamon Swirl Bread, Avocado Chocolate Mousse, Cast Iron Skillet Cookie, Monster Chocolate Chip Cookies, Pumpkin Pound Cake, Zucchini Carrot Muffins, silver dollar pancakes with vanilla bean butter.
What you need to make homemade vanilla extract
So, I set out to find a few glass jars
, Madagascar vanilla beans
from Penzey's Spices, and my preferred vodka, Grey Goose.
I combed Target for the jars and found a nice small decorative jar for $1 and a big Kilner canning jar. 
I will have homemade vanilla forever and ever!
I chose these vanilla beans
in a pinch, as I do prefer them from Penzey's because they are ginormous, plump, and for the cost, you get your money's worth for sure.
Vanilla extract recipe
I've just shared what you will need for making homemade vanilla in 3 easy steps! Yep. That easy.
- A glass (airtight) jar
- Vanilla Beans
- Vodka.
Homemade Vanilla Extract Takes Time to Make
Of course, the only extra thing you will need is patience because once you put these items together, you need to wait at least 30 days for the flavors to brew into a glorious amber liquid full of flavor every baker would be envious of having on their pantry shelf.
One question you may ask yourself is “How long does homemade vanilla extract last?” and my answer to that is forever, as long as you keep your beans rotated and covered with liquid, you are good for years to come!
FAQ About DIY Vanilla Extract
These are our most asked questions over the years, and helpful answers
Q: Can I use bourbon or rum instead of vodka?
A: Absolutely! Spirits like bourbon or rum add a deeper, robust flavor; however, vodka will provide a classic and versatile vanilla product.
Q: How long should I steep it before using?
A: I like to start tasting after 30 days, but for the richest flavor, aim for 6 months. The longer it steeps, the more flavorful it gets.
Q: What if my beans look spent?
A: No worries! Just replace with a fresh bean or two, top off with more alcohol, and your jar keeps evolving with depth each time.
What are the exact steps to make vanilla extract?
Here is the ratio I followed:
- For the small jar
, I used 5-6 vanilla beans; for the large canning jar, I used about 10 beans.
, I used 5-6 vanilla beans; for the 
, I used about 10 beans.- I used a sharp paring knife and cut from the midpoint of the bean, cut it in half, so it looked like a “Y”. By splitting the pods, the minute beans fall out and filter into the liquid, making it super good.
and cut from the midpoint of the bean, cut it in half, so it looked like a “Y”. By splitting the pods, the minute beans fall out and filter into the liquid, making it super good.- Next, I placed the split beans in the jars and then covered them completely with vodka.
- Place the jars in a dark, cool place and give them a gentle shake every so often. You will see the beans swirl, and that is a good thing.
- 30 days later you have liquid gold! Homemade Vanilla Extract will never go bad- just be sure to always keep the beans covered with vodka.
If you take out a bean to use, replace it and top off the liquid.
Why Homemade Vanilla Matters
- Pure vanilla boasts hundreds of complex flavor compounds far more nuanced than artificial vanillin. It’s a game-changer for cookies, cakes, custards, and beyond.
- Chef-approved: Ina Garten calls her vanilla jar her “most treasured ingredient” and uses the same one for decades, just topping it off over time.
- Budget-friendly and eco-smart: As Bon Appétit points out, making your own is not only delicious it saves money in the long run and lets you repurpose vanilla pods
Homemade Vanilla Extract Makes Perfect Gifts
If you have a baker in your family or on your gift list, this will be a perfect gift for the holidays, birthday, or any occasion!
- Gift It Pretty: Once your vanilla is ready, transfer it into a swing-top glass bottle or a charming jar—these affordable glass bottles are gift-ready, refillable, and endlessly useful. They’re my go-to packaging for gifting homemade vanilla during the holidays.
- If you want to add to your gift bottle, pick from our 100 Kitchen Gadgets for stocking stuffers.
Homemade Vanilla in 3 Easy Steps
Ingredients
- 5-15 Madagascar Vanilla Bean Pods
- Favorite Vodka
Instructions
- Find a clean, dry airtight glass jar (such as a sealed spice or canning jar)
- Split bean pods in half from mid-point down forming a “Y”
- Place in jar and cover completely with vodka
- Place in dark cool place and shake gently every few days.
- Allow to steep for 30 days.
- Replace used vanilla beans with fresh and always keep beans covered with vodka.
Nutrition
Original post : 12/19/18
Updated Post: 11/5/19, 8/12/25
Thanks! It is! I have really noticed a difference (for the better!) in my baked goods using the homemade. I got the jar at Target!