Homemade Vanilla Extract

I've been making my own vanilla extract for several years now. It's so easy and tastes so much better than store bough extracts. You can also control the ingredients you put in it. The best thing about homemade extract is that it takes 2 ingredients, vanilla beans and alcohol, and doesn't run out.  When you use the extract, just add more alcohol. The only problem with making your own vanilla extract is you have to wait awhile for it to be ready, about 6-8 weeks. I use vodka but you can also use rum.

Ingredients

• Vanilla Beans (6 beans per cup of alcohol)
• Vodka or Rum

Will also need a sterilized glass bottle. My bottle is 5 oz.

Directions

1. Cut beans lengthwise. You can cut them completely in half or leave the ends attached.

2. Fill the bottle with the beans. If the beans are too long for the bottle, they will either need to be bent or cut in half.
3. Fill the bottle with alcohol.
4. Keep the bottle in a dark place and let it sit for 6-8 weeks. Shake it up every couple of weeks. 
5. Enjoy! Whenever you use the extract, top it off with alcohol.