Homemade vanilla extract

Vanilla Beans
Vodka

The recipe calls for 1/4 pound of beans to a quart of vodka.

Using a knife, split the beans lengthwise.  Press down with a knife to smash the beans and to loosen the seeds.  Cover with the vodka.
Keep in a cool dark place. Shake daily for a month and then let infuse for at least a total of 4 - 6 months.

I made 2 cups of single strength extract and 1 cup of double strength extract. Each strength had 10 beans.

Tito's Handmade Vodka made in Austin, Texas was my choice of vodka.  :)

I've always wanted to make my own vanilla extract.  Last August for my birthday I received vanilla beans from Dave and Candace.  I was excited to start the process!  They were Tahitian vanilla beans from Papua, New Guinea and Bourbon Planifolia vanilla beans from Madagascar.  It tasted great in my Christmas cookies this year.  I don't think I will ever buy vanilla in a store again!

~ Carol ~