Darina Allen

Homemade Pure Vanilla Extract

Preparation info
    • Difficulty

      Easy

Appears in
The New Ballymaloe Bread Book
The New Ballymaloe Bread Book

By Darina Allen

Published 2023

  • About

Pure vanilla extract is gorgeous but enormously expensive. You can make your own superb extract quite easily. The flavour of the vanilla is extracted by the alcohol, which in turn becomes more mellow. The vanilla pods can later be used to flavour custards, creams and mousses.

Ingredients

  • 3–4 vanilla pods, split in half lengthways
  • 600 ml vodka or brandy

Method

Put the split vanilla pods in a 600ml bottle of vodka or brandy, seal tightly and leave to infuse for at least three days, but better still, for up to six weeks before using. Shake occasionally. Before use, strain the liquid through a fine nylon sieve. Store in small airtight bottles. It keeps almost indefinitely.