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September 20, 2012

DIY Whipped Cream Vanilla Extract

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Whipped Cream Vanilla Extract?


Oh yes.

Did you know you can make vanilla extract at home?

And did you know it takes only two ingredients:  vanilla + vodka!

After reading this post, I was definitely going to make my own vanilla.  But then I thought, why use regular vodka when you can use flavored?  Ah yes, college opened my eyes to some amazing things...



DIY Whipped Cream Vanilla Extract:  [gluten free, vegan]
    9 Vanilla Beans
    1 cup + 2 tbs Whipped Cream Flavored Vodka (regular vodka works too)

Directions:
1.  Cut the vanilla beans so they can fit inside the bottle you are using.  Slice the beans lengthwise, just enough so that you pierce through one side (you want to expose the tiny vanilla seeds but keep them attached to the bean)
2.  Place the vanilla beans inside the bottle (I put the cut off ends inside the bottle as well, seen in the picture below) and completely cover with the vodka.
3.  Place the lid onto the bottle and shake up and down about 10x to mix everything up (since I used an oil bottle, I wrapped some plastic wrap over the spout and taped it down so the contents wouldn't spray out when I shook it)
4.  Place bottle inside a dark and cool cupboard/pantry and shake once a day for 4 weeks (I put a daily reminder on my calendar so I wouldn't forget).  For the next 5 weeks you can shake it less often, like 2-3x a week.

Vanilla will be ready to use in 9 weeks, shake before using.
When bottle is 25% empty, fill it with more vodka and let it sit for a couple weeks, shaking every once in a while.

Notes:
1.  I bought my vanilla beans here
2.  The first time I used the vanilla was at 9 weeks, where I used 2 tsp in Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (which were deeeelicious!).  The vanilla smelled exactly like storebought vanilla extract, but a little sweeter and creamier from the flavored vodka.
3.  At 10 weeks I used 2 tsp in Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Pound Cake (ahmazing)
4.  At 12 weeks I used 2 tsp in Banana Bread Cake.  By now, the vanilla did not smell too much of alcohol like the storebought kinds, and I liked it that way.  I kinda wanted to drink it...




I used an empty oil bottle because I like the way it pours.
The vanilla doesn't leak down the sides like those storebought vanilla extract bottles!


If you start making your vanilla soon, it will be in perfect condition to give away during the winter holidays!

This is totally the ideal gift for the baker you know  :)


If I feel up for making more flavored vanilla extract, I'm definitely trying out the chocolate whipped cream, cake, or coconut flavored vodkas!


recipe adapted from:  The Healthy Foodie

8 comments:

  1. OMG NUH UH!!!

    OK, so I've been making vanilla extract for awhile.

    And Pinnacle Whipped is the only alcohol I will ever say I love.

    And I cannot believe I did not think about combining the two! THIS IS GENIUS! OMG OMG OMG!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! And I totally agree... Pinnacle Whipped is THE best ;)

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  2. OH whoa. This is amazing. It definitely beats using regular vodka!

    ReplyDelete
  3. WHOA WHOA and another WHOA. You may have just changed my life!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is genius. Wanted to make something for Christmas gifts and this is perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love this idea! I've been searching for the best homemade vanilla recipe and I think this one takes the cake...or soon to be cake. Yum! I buy flavored vodkas like this one for drinks like "Smores Cocktail" and then have all this leftover super sweet vodka. This recipe will get rid of that problem. But I wonder how many calories end up in the finished product? Does it give it a whipped flavor too? I wonder if we did this with the Marshmallow flavor, if it would be a marshmallow-vanilla extract? Or would we need marshmallow root too...hmmm! Well thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love homemade, do all vanilla extracts have alcohol in them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the majority of extracts contain alcohol :)

      Delete

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