In case you were wondering (and I’m just absolutely sure that you were), there are only 164 days left until Christmas.
In the midst of gardening and other summertime activities, Christmas isn’t on my mind very much right now. However, Homemade Vanilla Extract is a wonderful Christmas gift. It takes 4-6 months for your vanilla to be ready to bottle and give away. So, if you’re wanting to get on this project in time to be able to wrap bottles of homemade vanilla and put them under the tree this December – now is the time to get it going!
I love that making homemade vanilla saves money, and is so pure and good to use. It helps that it is completely delicious!
Here are complete instructions for how to make homemade vanilla extract. Trust me, it’s easy and super fun to do! Also, be sure to take advantage of the 10% discount on vanilla beans, offered by my very favorite vanilla bean source, Olive Nation. They are super high quality beans for an excellent price! (Use the code hhm2012 to receive 10% off.) And take a look at these pretty labels that my friend designed! They are customizable, and come in a variety of designs. So fun!
Merry Christmas everyone! (Ugh, it’s too hot and humid to pull that statement off with a straight face.)
Stay cool! (There, that’s better.)
Where do you get the bottles to put it in? They look so nice! How much do they usually cost?
OK. I kept looking on your site and found it, but what size do you use for gifts?
Glad you found it. Just in case others are looking, here’s the link: https://www.heavenlyhomemakers.com/where-to-get-bottles-for-homemade-vanilla
I use 4 ounce size for gifts or 8 if I know they’ll really use that much!
How timely!!! I just started a batch today. Then I turn on my computer, and guess what your post is about! This will be my second batch of vanilla and we totally enjoyed the first.
How did you know that I just ordered vanilla bean from Amazon last night? They should be here by Friday!
beans…plural…not just one little bean. ha!
I just strained and bottled up my very first batch of vanilla last night! My whole house smells like vanilla now! Maybe it’ll take away from the dirty diaper smell in my trash! I can’t wait to try it out, I just have to decide what recipe to try it on first! I have people intrigued too-it sounds so impressive to say I made my own vanilla. They don’t need to know how easy it really is!
I REALLY want to make this! BTW, I got my first Christmas gift in the mail today…something I ordered from Amazon…so no, it’s not too early! ;)
Glad I am not the only one thinking about Christmas in July.lol
I started my vanilla last week, so excited as I have not made it before. Not sure the people I know will use it or want it but I will give it away anyway. Thanks for all your tips.
Yes, the people I normally give gifts to will not appreciate it either but they will get it anyway.
:) I just ordered the vanilla beans, and am planning on the vanilla extract to be teacher’s gifts for our homeschool co op, music & athletic teachers :)
that little boost was all I needed to get going on some orders to start making my own vanilla! Thanks for that Laura!
I have some extract brewing in the bottom of my closet, I started it about a month ago, so it should be done by Christmas. I’m excited!
I just thought about this two nights ago before bed! Just ordered the vanilla beans and can’t wait to make it. Can you share how you make those cute labels? Is there a program for that?
I ordered them from my friend: http://www.etsy.com/shop/delightdesignbiz
She’s super talented!
Is it a bad thing that I FORGOT the liquor bottle of vodka & vanilla beans that has been in the front closet for a whole year? Still good?
Totally still good – no problem at all. Very strong vanilla!! :)
Do you ever reuse your beans? I read somewhere that you can use the beans two or three times before needing new ones?
You can reuse them, but they aren’t nearly as strong after their first use.
I’m actually going to do this this year!! We always put together baskets comprised of a variety of homemade items including baked treats, knitted or crocheted washcloths, hand-crafted soaps, spice mixes, etc. to give our extended family for Christmas. In fact, last year we gave our family members frozen chickens that we’d raised last summer!! Weird? Maybe, but it was sure fun! I’m sure they’ll all enjoy a bottle of homemade vanilla. Thanks for the inspiration! Blessings, ~Lisa
Could you just stuff the vanilla beans in the vodka bottle if you don’t have a gallon sized jar??
You can try – it might be tough to get them all in there, but it should work alright. :)
That’s what I did with the batch I made (waiting on the bottles I ordered to finish my first batch up). I poured a little vodka out of the bottle and then put them in. I’ve been using a teaspoon of it here and there for the past few months, it has been brewing for 6 months today and it smells so good when I take the lid off.
I’ve been wanting to try this since I read your post last summer, but put it off because it was already too late for Christmas. Thanks for the reminder! I almost missed the deadline for this Christmas too. I just ordered some beans and they should be soaking by early next week.
How long does the vanilla keep after you bottle it into smaller portions?
Pretty much forever. :) I think it really should stay good for years and years.
Started mine in May… been shaking it on schedule (I had to write reminders on my calendar). Looking forward to fun Christmas gifts for family and friends.
Also, after researching a little more, I decided to do mine in Bourbon- Since we are from Kentucky!
Lucky for me my liquor store has a drive thru.
Laura,
Can you please tell me about how many lbs. I would need for 80 beans?
Thanks so much!
Amy
You’d need about 3/4 of a pound. :)
Great! Now can you tell me how many 4 oz. bottles it would fill? Am I lazy or what?
Only tell me if you know off the top of your head, otherwise I’ll do the math :o)
Thanks!
You would need 32 4oz bottles for 1 gallon (128ozs).
I’ve got a half gallon brewing in the cabinets. I’m going this week to get another bottle and start another quart for a good friend who will definitely use it! I can’t wait til Christmas!!!!
My daughter and I made vanilla and it is wonderful! I’ve noticed that after we strained and bottled it, it has more of an alcohol scent and less of a vanilla scent. Should I put a vanilla bean in each bottle? Have you noticed this with yours?
I haven’t noticed this, but I guess I never gave it a good sniff either. :) I do leave a vanilla bean in each bottle just for fun.
I wanted to make the 1/2 gallon of vanilla so I ordered the 1/2 lb of beans from Olive Nation and it has about 80 beans in it. Am I supposed to use all 80 (half pound) or just 40 beans? thanks!
For 1/2 gallon, you need 40 beans. You can store the remaining 40 in a cool, but not cold, dry place, sealed well in a plastic bag.
Thank you! We already cut them. Will that be a problem or should we start another batch?
I think since they are already cut, you probably should go ahead and make another batch. I’m not sure if they can maintain their quality once they are cut and not used.
My first batch of vanilla has brewing for several months now, getting ready for Christmas gifts! I’d like to attach a recipe card to the bottles, but I’m not sure if the vanilla concentration is stronger than store bought vanilla. For example, if I wanted to attach a recipe for chocolate chip cookies, would I tell people to use the “regular” amount of vanilla?
I find that my homemade vanilla is much stronger, so I use half of what a recipe typically calls for.