Guest Blogger Tracy from Sugar Crafter makes Homemade Vanilla Extract

JavaCupcake Note: This is a guest blog post from Tracy & Sugar Crafter. 

 Be sure to check out all the other delicious creations she's making on her blog and follow her on Twitter!

Vanilla Extract

I’m sure you’ve probably seen this everywhere by now, but since it was part of mine and hubby’s homemade Christmas gift baskets this year, I couldn’t post about it until now or I would have spoiled the surprise! When I first learned how easy it is to make your own vanilla extract though, I was so excited. It’s much cheaper than buying it in the store! And since I was about three months away from Christmas at the time, I knew they would make perfect gifts as well. I’ve been using the homemade vanilla extract in my baking ever since, and I don’t think I’ll ever go back to store-bought!
Here’s what you’ll need:

• Vodka (any type will do – I used Skyy)
• 1 vanilla bean per 1/3 cup vodka
• Lidded glass bottles
  
  

First, grab your favorite type of vanilla beans. These are Tahitian beans.

Split each vanilla bean lengthwise with a knife or with scissors.

Drop the vanilla beans into the bottles. Mine held about one cup of liquid each, so I put in 3 vanilla beans per bottle. Fill up the bottles with the vodka. And, that’s it! Store the bottles in a cool, dark place for about three months before using, making sure to give them a shake every once in a while. The picture below was taken about a week and a half after making the extract; it’ll get even darker over time.

JavaCupcake side note:  As a part of my goals for 2010, I wanted to create a signature cupcake.  I'm hoping that this recipe (in three months!) can be used as a part of it!  Thank you Tracy for this great recipe!!