Homemade Vanilla Extract

From a King Arthur Baking kit.

Do the first instruction a few hours before starting.

Ingredients

Madagascar vanilla beans

Glass bottles (4.5 oz) Source

Unflavored vodka, bourbon, brandy, or rum, a little more than 4.5 oz per bottle

Labels

Instructions

Clean and sterilize the bottle by washing in hot, soapy water and letting air dry. 

Soak the beans in the chosen alcohol for 2-3 hours. 

Split the vanilla beans in half length size, leaving 1/2" at each end intact, then cut in half horizontally.

Place 2 beans (four halves) in each bottle and fill with 4 1/2 oz of alcohol, making sure the beans are completely submerged.

Give the bottle a good shake. Store in a cool dark place for at least two months before using. 

Shake the bottle every week or so. The alcohol will quickly take on a rich dark hue, and will slowly darken as it ages and steeps.