• HOME
  • ABOUT ME
  • SHOP
  • SERVICES
  • CONTACT
  • FREE E-BOOK
  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Down A Cow Trail

Hand Sown & Homegrown

  • COWS ‘N CRITTERS
  • CHICKENS & DUCKS
  • GARDEN
  • HOMEGROWN KITCHEN
  • DIY PROJECTS
DIY PROJECTS

Homemade Vanilla Extract for Your Pantry

December 1, 2020

This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn an affiliate commission if you click on a link and purchase an item at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.

Homemade vanilla extract is probably one of the easiest ingredients to make in your own kitchen, and it doubles as an excellent gift!

Vanilla Extract Gift

Several years ago, I made vanilla extract as a gift for family and friends and it was a huge hit. I had been making it for my own kitchen for some time, but thought it would be a useful gift. It is super simple to put together and it looks so elegant!

(Before I go on, be sure to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram!)

The Process of Vanilla

The process is easy. I buy a bottle from Costco (a giant bottle – Costco-sized of course – that always garners funny looks from looky-lou’s, but it last me years!).

Organic non-gmo homestead supplies

I order my vanilla beans through Azure Standard or purchase them at Costco if they’re in stock when I’m there.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

The ratio is 4-6 vanilla beans per 8 oz of vodka. This of course depends on the size of the vanilla beans and how strong you want your vanilla extract.

Vanilla Beans

Using a sharp knife, slice the vanilla beans lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the bottle you will be using for your extract. Add the seed pods in as well.

Homemade Vanilla

I have a neat old-looking rum bottle (that I had also used for making vanilla extract with), or you can use smaller decorative bottles if you are using it as a gift.

Vanilla Extract does take time…think ahead!

Pour the vodka over the vanilla beans and store in a dark place out of direct sunlight. Be sure and shake it up once a week for 6-8 weeks. Homemade vanilla extract gets better with age, so it will get richer the longer you store it.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

I like to keep two bottles on hand, as I use my current homemade vanilla extract, I pour that into a smaller bottle and start another batch in the larger bottle.

For a gift, you can find some cute bottles with corks (I believe I found mine on a craft website). Bottle it up several weeks ahead of time so it has that beautiful amber color by the time you gift it to your friends and family!

So easy!

Yield: 16 oz

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Homemade Vanilla Extract
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8-12 Vanilla Beans
  • 16 oz Vodka
  • Empty glass bottle

Instructions

  1. Slice vanilla beans lengthwise
  2. Scrape out seeds into bottle
  3. Add seed pods to bottle
  4. Pour vodka over the vanilla seeds
  5. Seal and store in dark place
  6. Shake once a week for 6-8 weeks (longer for stronger flavor!)
© Tiffany

Looking for more DIY projects? Check out my rustic mirror tutorial!

Happy trails!

Tiffany

Share
Tweet
Pin
WhatsApp
Email

Related

Leave a Comment

« Thanksgiving Recipes – Tried and True
Simple Daily Milking Routine For the Home Dairy »

RELATED POSTS

  • Clean Out Your GuttersCleaning Gutters
  • Easy DIY Worm BinsEasy DIY Worm Bins
  • Hügelkultur for healthier soilHügelkultur
  • DIY Floor Length MirrorDIY Floor Length Mirror

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Windmill
If you travel down a cow trail in the Nebraska Sandhills, you might find me, Tiffany. Wife to a 5th generation rancher, & mommy to the 6th generation. We raise registered Black Angus cattle, along with my little herd of Jersey cows. Originally a PNW native, I married a rancher and moved to the Nebraska prairie...Read more...
  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

JOIN THE LIST

One of the best sources for organic, non-GMO products for your kitchen, home, livestock, and gardens. From wholesome bulk food to organic chicken feed, you will supply your homestead with healthful and safe products. #downacowtrail #azurestandard #bulkfood #chickenfeed
Uncle Jim's Worm Farm

CATEGORIES

  • CHICKENS & DUCKS
  • COWS & CRITTERS
  • DIY MAKEOVERS
  • DIY NEW CONSTRUCTION
  • DIY PROJECTS
  • DOWN A COW TRAIL
  • GARDEN
  • HOMEGROWN KITCHEN
  • HOMESTEADING
  • JERSEY COWS
  • RECIPES
  • SOIL HEALTH
  • THE FLOWER GARDEN
  • THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

ARCHIVES

  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • October 2017
  • September 2017

POPULAR POSTS

3 Reasons Why You Need Ceramic Eggs in Your Coop

Your Guide to Buying a Family Milk Cow

Molly

Simple Daily Milking Routine For the Home Dairy

April was baby month for me, June was baby month f April was baby month for me, June was baby month for Molly, and she had this cute little bull calf last week! (Yes, the Daddy was one of our Angus bulls😆).

We are blessed with lots of fresh milk once again. So thankful! 

#downacowtrail #handsownhomegrown #jerseycow #milkcow #jerseycows #homedairy #cattle #homesteading #rawmilk #milkmaid #homestead #farmstead #ruralliving #livestock #growyourownfood #farmher #ranching #cattleranch #cows #cowsofinstagram #cowstagram #dairycows #cowsofig #babycows #jerseycowsofinstagram #cowseverywhere #cowsfordays #nebraska #calf
These girls have been so good sitting on their egg These girls have been so good sitting on their eggs…hopefully we’ll have goslings in a few weeks!
‘219’ was a gift from my husband when we were ‘219’ was a gift from my husband when we were married. Since then she’s given us 9 calves. A lovely Sandhills momma.
Update: SOLD OUT! Some would consider this knot as Update: SOLD OUT! Some would consider this knot as an ‘imperfection’, I think it brings out the character of the wood. I’d keep it for myself if I didn’t already have several in use! 

This is the last large garden basket I have left. I’m not sure if I’ll make any more before baby comes, so if you’re wanting one, this beauty might be a good catch. 

You can find it in my Etsy shop!
SALE! Did you know I make garden aprons for little SALE! Did you know I make garden aprons for littles? I started out making adult-sized aprons, but I knew sewing a child-sized apron to match Mommy would be even cuter! You can check them out on my website or my Etsy shop! ​​​​​​​​

Starting today and through this weekend I’m running a 20% off sale on these aprons in my Etsy shop! (Link in my stories!) 
​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
Have you ever made your own vanilla extract? It ha Have you ever made your own vanilla extract? It has been at least 8 years since I have purchased vanilla extract. I started making it myself and never looked back! 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Super easy to do and well worth it! Just two ingredients! I have a post on my blog about how to go about making your own vanilla extract. Link to my blog is in my bio!
Are you getting your garden supplies all set? Me t Are you getting your garden supplies all set? Me too! I’ve been playing on my @glowforge lately, and made up these cute herb markers that are now live in my shop. You can purchase them as a set or individually! 

And if you were playing with the idea of buying a Glowforge, their price is going up by $1k soon! You can click the link in my bio to get up to $500 off your glowforge before the price goes up!
The sun is shining even though we have highs in th The sun is shining even though we have highs in the low 20’s. We are thankful for the little bit of moisture we had this past week 🙏🏻 (My milk cows might not be so appreciative😅)

Our Angus heifers and cows that are calving are being watched extra close on these cold days/nights. No reason to risk losing a calf or letting it get behind due to cold weather. Every calf is valuable🐮 

Thankful for my husband who is so dedicated and diligent in caring for our cattle and making sure these babies get off to a good start - He’s the greatest example of being a good steward of what God has given us. 

Warmer weather is on the horizon!
The snow is falling, and all the chickens and duck The snow is falling, and all the chickens and ducks are inside the coop. The geese have a house to go into, but would rather be outside❄️

The coop and porch need a good scrub down this spring, because, you know, poultry just have a habit of making everything that surrounds them dirty🤪

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • COOKIE POLICY
  • ABOUT ME

COPYRIGHT 2020 Down A Cow Trail

THEME BY ECLAIR DESIGNS
Our site uses cookies. By continuing to use our site, you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy. Find out more.