Anyone made their own vanilla extract?

browneyedbazzi

I don't often post on this board but this query seems to 'fit' with OS so I'm hoping the lovely people here can help!

I saw a Hairy Bikers programme the other day and they mentioned in passing that you can make your own vanilla extract by putting used pods (after you've scraped the seeds out to go in a recipe) into a bottle of brandy and leaving it to infuse.

I do quite a bit of baking and seem to get through a fair bit of vanilla and I've recently bought bunch of vanilla beans online so I'm thinking about giving making some extract a go. Has anyone tried it? What were your experiences?

I've done a bit of googling and the 'recipes' I've found mention using vodka but the Hairy Bikers said brandy - if you've tried it which did you use/would you recommend? I'm wondering if any spirit will do...I have some whisky that has been sitting on a shelf for ages that I'm tempted to try it with rather than going out and buying vodka/brandy.

Beck123

I've used vodka before, one 70ml bottle with 20 pods in. Leave for about 4-6 months until the smell of alcohol has gone. It has saved me a fortune!

midnightraven3

i do
always have
this is one i made a couple of years ago
using vodka & 2 used pods
i have tried brandy, and rum (only because i had them, both rather over powering when using though)
no one drinks spirits in our house, so although i need to purposely buy it, i do
i made lovely toffee vodka a few years ago as presents
and used some of that
as my stash is going down, i think i may have to make some more
pop the pod in, shake every day for a couple of weeks, done
i kept mine in the bread crock so i would see it and remember to shake it:D

as you can see it really takes on the colour, and i never strain mine, i like the little flecks of vanilla in mine

apologies if this is massive:D

midnightraven3

70ml with 20 pods:eek:

i used a half bottle size, and took a little out for shaking room
and used 2 pods i had already used

i need to use half what a recipe calls for as its so strong

the cost of 20 pods alone would make this prohibitive
i use grade AAAAA Madagascan pods

Money_maker

http://www.foodiewithfamily.com/2012/11/26/whiskey-vanilla-extract-make-ahead-mondays/
Plenty about whiskey vanilla extract on google

browneyedbazzi

midnightraven3 wrote: »

70ml with 20 pods:eek:

i used a half bottle size, and took a little out for shaking room
and used 2 pods i had already used

i need to use half what a recipe calls for as its so strong

the cost of 20 pods alone would make this prohibitive
i use grade AAAAA Madagascan pods

I'm hoping she meant a 70cl bottle? I've never seen a 70ml bottle and I'm pretty sure you wouldn't fit 20 pods into one if you found it!

boultdj

I'v done it using 2 pod's and it's turned out ok, I also do vanilla sugar where you just put a whole pod in a pot and cover with sugar if it's baking your wanting for, you just top up the sugar as and when you need to.

midnightraven3

oooh yes, vanilla sugar as well!
i havent done that in ages

i wondered if they meant 70ml of vodka in a bigger bottle, and added 20 pods
even 20 in 70cls is overkill

browneyedbazzi

I've already got a pot of vanilla sugar on the go too

I decided that since the whisky isn't going to be drunk (we rarely drink at home and I've had the bottle for at least two years) I'd bite the bullet and try it for vanilla. I've put 4 pods (including the seeds scraped out) into just under 1L...can't wait for it to be ready to use!

samejh

How long do you leave it before using it?

Steve059

See http://www.vanillamart.co.uk/extract-grade-vanilla-pods/.