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Friday, October 19, 2012

Vanilla


Slit three vanilla beans length wise with a sharp knife. 
Place in a clean bottle. 
Add Vodka (unflavored) to cover the beans.

♦♦♦

In about three to four months you will have vanilla for baking. 
These vanilla beans have been in the Vodka for two weeks
 and are giving off that beautiful brown color already.

I am starting late but I think it this would make a lovely gift.
 This is my first attempt at making vanilla.
I have friends who make delicious baked goods.
Their cookies and bars are a step up from mine
and it is because of the homemade vanilla.
 If you make vanilla please give tips in the comments.

Amazon.com sells Madagascar Vanilla Beans 10 for $12.99 here.
I have also seen them at the Williams Sonoma store.
The medium glass bottle came from TJ Maxx.

happy baking
Olive


27 comments:

  1. How fabulous Olive!... I have never made vanilla, infact, I did not even know you could... but I do bake alot... what a fun and thoughtful gift that will be for your friends, and looks so pretty too!... xoxo Julie Marie

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  2. You can buy vanilla beans cheaply at Costco. When the Raz Man was a teen he worked in a grocery store. When those carnivals set up in the parking lots of the malls, the workers would come in and he would see them drinking the vanilla!

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  3. Thank you Olive - I like that idea, and as you mention would make a great gift.

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  4. Thanks for this post, Olive! I've known about this for years but never think to do it! I have all the ingredients except for the vodka. LOL

    I wonder if Sam's Club also has vanilla beans in bulk and where they are in the store if they do. Maybe one of your other commenters will know. I need them for more than making vanilla. I use them in my homemade soaps!

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  5. Great tip Olive! I can't wait to do this. It won't be ready for Christmas, although I could just tell the recipient to let it age a couple of months longer. But ~ I could also do this for Valentine's Day because the vanilla will be perfect by then. Off to Costco for vanilla beans. Have a wonderful weekend!

    Hugs from Idaho,
    Susan and Bentley

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  6. What a great idea and a lovely gift! And what a beautiful presentation. Thank you for sharing!
    Nancy

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  7. When my girls were little we had vanilla sugar. The slit open vanilla beans went into a jar of sugar on the counter. I don't recall ever replacing the vanilla, just refilling the jar with sugar.

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  8. What a great idea. I didn't know you could make you own vanilla. I don't bake much so I'm not sure I would make it. But it would make a great gift.

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  9. I have heard a little about this but was surprised by the vodka! And, I've always wondered where to get the vanilla bean. Your readers mention Costco...I'll have to look!

    Have a good weekend, Olive!

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  10. I had no idea! And I think I'm going to try it. Have a couple of bakers in my life... Ann

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  11. Is that how real vanilla is made? I had no idea. Will have to try that. I always buy the really good Mexican vanilla when we are on cruises. It's so much better - don't know why tho.

    Thanks.

    Judy

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  12. I love the smell of vanilla! I will definitely try this. I tried making flavored oil for dipping bread in one time and since I just whipped it up with what I had in the garden it didn't taste right. It looked pretty in the bottle though.

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  13. I've seen it done, but haven't tried making it myself. I'm sure you'll have fun watching it mature. Have a great weekend:@)

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  14. If I can find a pretty bottle like that, I'd like to make some of these for gifts. I had no idea this is how vanilla is made!

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  15. my mother-in-law has tried this trick... yummy vanilla. can't wait to hear how it turns out. (:

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  16. this is really cool, my dear. I was clueless about this, but I think it would be fun to try!

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  17. Oh this looks like a fun project...I'll bet the flavor is amazing!

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  18. I made my own last year and would never go back to store bought. I rotate two bottles. When the first one is down to half, I top it up with vodka and set it aside to cure and use the second one. I can't remember how long it took to get a good, strong flavour but it was at least two months. ~ Maureen

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  19. Olive, To think that I have just been drinking the vodka.:):)LOL. Oh but I do when on a cruise ship...they make the best martinis. You are very clever making your own baking vanilla. Smiles to you, xo, Susie

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  20. I need to try that...it sounds wonderful...I never would think that vodka and beans make baking vanilla...awesome!! Have a great evening!!

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  21. Oh my gosh Olive I am SO doing this. Thank you so much for sharing. I never knew vanilla was made with vodka! Hope you are well...enjoy your Sunday!

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  22. Oh Olive, you never cease to amaze me. I not only read your post, but every comment too (: I may never make vanilla, but it's fun to know I can. xo. Have a splendid week.

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  23. I've never tried making vanilla, but looks very easy! Thanks for the recipe, Olive.
    Mary Alice

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  24. Well, I am here to tell you that as soon as we get moved, I am buying vanilla beans, vodka and a cute bottle...I've heard of this before but was put off by thinking vanilla beans were really costly...now I see that was a myth ....yahoo...(and the thought of vodka makes me shiver :))

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  25. I did this last fall and the vanilla turned out wonderfully. Good luck!

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  26. I am making homemade vanilla too - this is my first attempt as well so I don't have any tips.

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I adore your comments. They are like finding unexpected chocolates. olive