Homemade vanilla extract is made with just two ingredients and makes a great gift from the kitchen. Keep reading to learn how to make a flavorful and affordable foodie gift.

If you love giving homemade food gifts for Christmas and special occasions, I have an idea for you: The easiest thing you can possibly make that still has a certain Wow factor to it: 

Pure vanilla extract, made with just 2 ingredients.

Sure, you could just buy store-bought vanilla extract. But this is more fun. And it’s totally gift-worthy when packaged in cute little glass bottles and tied up with a bow.

Homemade Vanilla Extract: What You’ll Need

This recipe is barely a recipe at all. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Vanilla beans: There are different varieties of vanilla beans based on growing region. You can use Tahitian vanilla beans, Madagascar vanilla beans, Mexican vanilla beans, Ugandan vanilla beans, Indonesian vanilla beans, etc. I like to use organic vanilla beans to keep the homemade extract a little cleaner, but this is optional.

• Vodka: While you can infuse vanilla beans in different types of alcohol (rum or bourbon, for example), I prefer to use vodka as it has a neutral flavor that lets the vanilla bean’s natural flavor shine. When I’m making homemade vanilla extract, I like to buy a big bottle of vodka and divide it up into smaller quantities to infuse and give away as a gift. While technically any brand of vodka will do, go with a decent quality brand that you’re familiar with. I used Svedka vodka.

How Long Does The Vanilla Need To Infuse?

The short answer: A long time.

The long answer: Making homemade vanilla extract takes some time. Once you add the vanilla beans to the vodka, it will take 6 to 8 weeks to develop some good flavor. Depending on the type and flavor of the vanilla bean, it could take several months. We’re in it for the long run, folks!

But keep in mind, the longer the vanilla beans infuse in the vodka, the better the flavor will be. I have a bottle of vodka sitting in my cupboard that I keep adding vanilla beans to (I have 5 right now). I just let it sit and keep infusing. The flavor is incredible!

Where To Buy Vanilla Beans

You can buy vanilla beans in many different locations:

• Grocery stores (look in the baking aisle)
• Food co-ops (look in the bulk food section)
• Trader Joe’s
• Online – I purchased a package of 25 organic vanilla beans on Amazon that I used to make individual jars for Christmas gifts

Buy 4 oz bottles on Amazon, as seen in the photos in this post.

How To Make Vanilla Extract

The process is super simple:

• Find a glass jar(s) or other glass container(s). A Mason jar works well for home use. Look for small glass jars for gifting.
• Place full vanilla bean inside jar. If the jar is small, you can cut the bean in half to make it fit. I used 1 1/2 vanilla beans for 4 ounce jars. 
• Add vodka to the jar and fasten lid tightly.
• Let sit in a dark place to infuse for 6 weeks or longer (keep out of direct sunlight) at room temperature. The longer you let it infuse, the stronger the flavor. Just make sure the bean is fully submerged in vodka. After designated infusing time, do the look and smell test. The vodka should be medium to dark brown and it should smell like delicious vanilla.

How To Use Homemade Vanilla Extract

Once infused, you can use this vanilla just as you’d use normal, store-bought vanilla:

• In recipes ranging like sugar cookies and brownies
• To add flavor to homemade vanilla ice cream
• To flavor cocktails
• To flavor coffee drinks or tea
• Learn more uses for vanilla extract

Keep in mind, grocery stores usually sell both imitation vanilla and pure vanilla extract. Imitation vanilla is much cheaper.

This recipe makes an extract that is similar to pure vanilla extract that is available at any grocery store. I prefer to make my own as I have more control over the flavor (I like to add fresh beans every few months!)

More Great Gifts From The Kitchen

Homemade vanilla extract makes an excellent holiday gift for the baker, mixologist or foodie on your gift list. This particular recipe is about the easiest thing you can make – and it’s still super fun to give and receive.

You’ll want to let your gift recipient know that they may need to let the vanilla extract sit for several weeks or months. 

Looking for more great gifts from the kitchen? Check out:

• DIY Coffee Spices
• Gift Worthy: DIY Dried Herbs And Spices
• How to Make a DIY Cocktail in a Jar
• Chai Tea Concentrate (To Make Your Own Chai Tea Lattes At Home)