Place the vanilla bean seeds in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, such as a mason jar or glass container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent the alcohol from evaporating.

Pour 8 oz (237 ml) of vodka over the vanilla beans and make sure they are fully submerged. You can also use dark rum instead if you prefer a darker extract.

Seal the jar and store it in a cool, dark place for at least 6 weeks or up to several months. Shake the jar every few days to help distribute the vanilla flavor evenly.

After 6 weeks (or when you're satisfied with the strength of the extract), strain out the vanilla beans and transfer the liquid to a clean bottle for storage. You can also add more vodka or rum if needed, depending on how strong you want your extract to be.

The first jar can be reused (unwashed) to begin a new batch of extract with new vodka and fresh beans. If you choose to strain out the vanilla beans, don't discard them. They can be used to make custards and puddings, or they can be air-dried then tucked into a jar of sugar to make vanilla sugar. I've even blended them into sugar with a food processor to make a finely grained sugar for drinks.

Another method I have used is to add a new bean to the vodka batch every week for a few months, then just store the jar away and forget about it for awhile. This version does not get strained. It's a rich brew that adds color and speckles of dissolved beans to whatever you're making, which is suitable for smoothies, custards, etc.

Use the homemade vanilla extract in recipes that call for it, such as baking, custards, puddings, smoothies or other desserts, or even cocktails! I have amber glass bottles filled with this mixture that have been aged for 5 or 6 years, and they only improve with age.

Note: The longer you let the vanilla beans steep in the alcohol, the stronger the flavor will become. So don't worry if your first batch doesn't taste strong enough - just give it more time and keep shaking the jar regularly to speed up the process. You can also experiment with different types of vodka or rum for a unique flavor profile!

Submitted by: Belle