DIY Vanilla

One of our fun new DIY projects from this year, we have been making our own vanilla.  We had heard that making your own vanilla was easy and really tasty so we decided to try it.  This has a really good flavor.

 

Ingredients:

 

Vodka-we are using the 750ml. size. This brand in not GFCF but there are some GFCF options out there, do your research and READ your labels.  You are going to need to pour a little out so that you can fit your vanilla beans in.

 14 Grade B-Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans grade B. I purchased 1/4 pound of these from Amazon (we save the rest of the beans for other vanilla goodies).  Here is a copy of the link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CJJQKY/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 Chop the beans into pieces somewhere between 1/2 to 1 inch. 

 Place the vanilla beans into the vodka bottle.

Put the lid on somewhat snug because you are going to be shaking your vanilla every day or so (if you miss a few days no big deal) for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks you can do several things: keep the beans in there for up to 6 months and just add a bit of vodka from time to time; or you can put your vanilla in a decorative bottle (I used the one below because it had a synthetic cork that was pretty and easier to use): dry your beans for a day and then make.... 

vanilla sugar.  We made just 2 jars of vanilla sugar this time but I think the next time we do it I would stretch out the beans and make 3 to 4 jars (pint sized).  We give these away as gifts to friends and family.  Vanilla sugar is totally yummy with that morning cup of coffee, in tea, or on top of fruit.