Homemade Vanilla Extract

A while back, while we were still in Pensacola, I was a part of a a Vanilla Bean Co-op where I bought vanilla beans for $0.28 each!  If you have ever bought vanilla beans at the grocery store, you know what a great deal this is!  I have been looking forward to making my own vanilla extract from the beans, but with the move and everything, am just now getting around to it.   I love pure vanilla extract, but unless you are in Mexico, its SO expensive at the stores & for such a small bottle too!  Making your own, especially if you can get the beans from a co-op or online for cheap, is SO much more affordable.

Here's what you need to make your own Vanilla Extract.

Step one:  8-10 vanilla beans.

Step two: get yourself down to the local liquor store and find yourself a 1 Liter of Vodka-80 proof.

I got mine at the military shopette on base (tax free), so that's why it is called military special ;)

Not gonna lie...it was kind of comical going into the liquor store right after church on Sunday to get our bottle of Vodka.

Step Three: Split the vanilla down the center to expose the beans inside

Step Four:  steep split vanilla beans into the bottle of Vodka, or you can transfer it to a different glass container if you prefer.  Shake it real good, with lid tightened, and let steep in a dark area four four weeks to 6 months *waiting longer will yield best results.   Shake bottle about once per week until its ready to use!