Before we get started, here are two things you need to know about me:
Gifting is my love language. I am a Type B person desperately trying to exist in a Type A world.
Year after year, I find a new hobby to dabble in—from canning to embroidery—in the hopes I end up with a treasure trove of homemade gifts to give to my friends and family during the holiday season. More often than not, though, my annual habit results in a bunch of half-finished projects stuffed into the back of a closet. Suffice it to say: I’m not a planner.
But there’s one homemade gift that’s so easy, even I can handle it—I just have to remember to make it every July.
My Favorite 2-Ingredient Food Gift
Did you know you can make vanilla extract at home? Well, you can! It’s actually much cheaper than buying the store-bought stuff. All you have to do is steep vanilla beans in alcohol (typically vodka) for at least six months. Tied with a bow, it’s the perfect thoughtful holiday gift. If you want to go the extra mile, throw in a handwritten recipe.
What You’ll Need
Vanilla beans
You can find vanilla beans in the spice aisle at most grocery stores. If you’ve never bought whole beans before, fair warning: you might get sticker shock. Depending on your location, a 2-count jar of McCormick beans will set you back about $10 (around $5 per bean). But buying in bulk online is a HUGE money saver. Fortunately for me, I had an Amazon gift card—so I paid just a little more than $30 for 50 beans.
Vodka
Opt for an 80 proof (or 40 percent alcohol by volume) liquor. Vodka is by far the most common choice because it doesn’t lend any extra flavor—it lets the vanilla speak for itself. Vanilla made with vodka is most similar to basic store-bought extracts, so it’s perfect for all kinds of bakers. You can use bourbon, rum, or brandy for a deeper, more customizable flavor.
While a higher quality alcohol will obviously result in a higher quality extract, this isn’t the time to splurge. Save your top shelf bottles for sipping!
Glass Bottles
Use what’s available! This is a great opportunity to reuse any glass bottles or jars you have on hand. As long as your vessels have airtight seals, you’re good. I opted for 8-ounce bottles with swing tops because they’re A.) the perfect size B.) airtight and C.) aesthetically pleasing. I got a 9-pack for $20 on Prime Day, so each bottle cost a little more than $2.
How to Make Homemade Vanilla
ALLRECIPES / ANA CADENA
We have plenty of homemade vanilla recipes to choose from, but I combined a few to make my own. Here’s what I do:
Use a sharp knife to cut a vertical slit into the vanilla beans from top to bottom. There’s no need to split the beans in half—as long as the middle is exposed, you’re good. Place four to five beans in each 8-ounce bottle. If the beans are too tall to fit the container, just cut them into smaller pieces. Insert a funnel into the neck of the bottle, then pour the vodka over the beans. Make sure to cover them entirely. Seal the bottles tightly and store in a cool, dark place for at least six months before gifting.
Dining and Cooking