Homemade Vanilla Extract

I found this recipe on pinterest here: Bethany Actually and thought it was such a cute gift idea (and a great way to make your own baking ingredients!!).  Turns out, it is also really easy to make.

Ingredients

Vodka

Vanilla Beans

Clear 4 oz Glass Jars

Directions

1. Cut each vanilla bean horizontally and vertically (so you have four pieces from each bean)
2. Place six to ten vanilla bean pieces (1 3/4 to 2 1/4 vanilla beans) into each jar
3. Add ~1/2 cup of vodka to each jar
4. Add a label & a bow, and let sit for ~1 month before gifting! (Since we made our vanilla extract a bit close to the holidays, we just included a "Do not use until date" on our labels.)  

Simple right?! We made 12 jars and included in them in our Melicipes Gift Baskets.  We were also able to save 2 for ourselves :)

I used avery labels and their free template available online.  You can create your own personalized gift label yourself - very easy!! 

I read on several different websites that the quality of vodka you use does not really matter.  We used a good kind for our gifts, but I think the next time around I will test out a more cost-effective brand.  

The vanilla beans were a bit pricey, but came out to be ~$2.70 per bottle (if you are making 12-15 bottles, and are generous with the vanilla beans).  

Total cost per bottle came out to $7.98.