I’ve been making my own vanilla extract for years at home. It’s a critical ingredient in many of my baking recipes, so I go through a lot of the stuff. So much, in fact, that when I discovered how to make vanilla extract myself for a fraction of the cost of store-bought, I jumped right on the bandwagon and never looked back.
Today I’m going to show you how simple and cost effective it is to make your own vanilla extract, using a sous vide bath or a steam oven.
Why sous vide vanilla? Well, the big drawback to homemade vanilla has always been the length of time between making your extract and using it. When you infuse vanilla beans in alcohol at room temperature, it takes up to 12 months before it’s concentrated enough to use. Sous vide vanilla is ready in under a month. I don’t know about you, but patience is not my strength when it comes to food, so this method suits me perfectly!
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Yes, vanilla extract can be used in items that will not be cooked. But, go sparingly.
Can you make vanilla extract with rum?
In short, yes. I’ve tried vanilla extracts made with rum, brandy and bourbon as the base alcohol, and all of them have their special flavor profiles. I know people who enjoy using these ‘pimped up’ vanilla extracts in coffee or in cocktails, which is a great use for them.
If you do want to use rum to make vanilla extract (or any other spirit), choose one with a flavor you enjoy. As with vodka, too cheap will be harshly alcoholic and too high-end is really a bit of a waste.
For this method of vanilla extract you will need a sous vide immersion device or a steam oven. These appliances allow you to heat and hold your extract at a specific temperature over several days, speeding up the extraction process and allowing you to use it much faster.
You’ll also need some wide mouthed jars with airtight lids (I love Weck canning jars), or glass bottles and a funnel. The funnel isn’t critical but it makes filling much easier.
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The best vodka for making vanilla extract
Vodka is the mainstay alcohol for vanilla extract. You don’t need an expensive one, but you shouldn’t buy the cheapest either.
I find very cheap vodka lends a harshness to the extract that never really goes away, so I go for a mid-range vodka like Smirnoff or Absolut. I spend a lot on vanilla beans and I don’t want to waste them by cheaping out on the alcohol component of my vanilla extract recipe!
If you want to use a premium vodka (say, Grey Goose), you could. I haven’t tried it and I’m not sure I can quite come at that expense when the mid range brands work really well. But you do you; I’m sure premium vodka will result in a lovely vanilla extract!
I recommend you steer clear of flavored vodkas because they’ll mask or alter the beautiful flavor of the vanilla you’re infusing into them.
How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract | With a Speed Hack!
FAQ
Can you use vanilla extract without cooking it?
Can you drink vanilla extract raw?
What happens when you heat vanilla extract?
What are the rules for vanilla extract?
Can you make vanilla extract for the first time?
When you make vanilla extract for the first time, you’ll probably just grab a few vanilla beans and an inexpensive bottle of vodka from the grocery store, but after you’ve baked with that first batch, you’ll know that even the tiniest investment in time, method, or ingredients will make a better batch.
What is the healthier substitute of vanilla extract?
To make the extract vanilla, beans are soaked in alcohol to extract its enticing flavor and aroma. The best substitutes of vanilla extract are maple syrup famous for its sweet aroma, almond extract for its nutty flavor, brandy or rum, a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom or nutmeg, instant coffee, zesting a lemon or orange at the end of baking. These are some of the best substitutes to complete your dish in the absence of vanilla.
Should I use natural vanilla extract?
For everything in between, ‘natural’ vanilla extract is probably preferable. As @user33210 said, vanilla extract is prepared with alcohol, so adding it early to the cooking process allows a lot of the alcohol to evaporate, consequently the vanilla aromatics as well.
How do you know if homemade vanilla extract is good?
Keep your homemade vanilla extract in a cool dry place. Heat and light can cause it to turn cloudy. If it does turn cloudy, murky, or muddy-looking, do the smell test and if it still smells good, it should be fine to use.