Yields one quart

Ingredients

• 8- whole vanilla beans (best if they are long and soft)
• 1 quart (960 mL) vodka(Use the good stuff like Belvedere, Goose Island or your personal favorite)

Tools:

• Cheesecloth
• Strainer
• A One-and a half quart container to store the extract. (You could use the vodka bottle with the labels removed too)

Method

1. Split six of the whole vanilla beans lengthwise, then cut into small pieces
2. Put the six cut-up vanilla beans into your one-and a half quart container and add the vodka.
3. Cap container and close tightly.
4. Put container away in a dark, cool place and let sit for about a month–shake up periodically.
5. After a month resting, pour entire contents of container through a strainer (sieve) that is lined with the cheesecloth.
6. Return the vanilla extract to the container. (Wash container first)
7. Add the two whole vanilla beans and seal tightly

Add any cute decorations to your bottle(s).

Add an expiration date to the bottom or backside of the container.

A safe shelf-life for vanilla extract is 4-5 years so this amount of vanilla extract would be a great gift for avid bakers!

Enjoy!