🍦 11 Bottles of Pure Vanilla Extract
Love This IP Life!
📌 In This Article
🍦 The Vanilla Story
"11 5 oz bottles of pure vanilla extract complete. Love this IP Life"
Have you seen the price of pure vanilla extract lately? It's basically liquid gold. A tiny 4-ounce bottle can cost as much as a whole meal. But what if I told you that you could make your own — high-quality, pure vanilla extract — right in your Instant Pot?
That's right. The Instant Pot (IP) isn't just for dinners. The pressure and heat help the vanilla beans infuse into the alcohol much faster than the traditional months-long waiting game.
I just finished making 11 (5-ounce) bottles of pure vanilla extract. It's rich, dark, and smells absolutely incredible. Love this IP Life!
💬 The verdict: "11 5 oz bottles of pure vanilla extract complete." — Never buy store-bought vanilla again!
💪 Why Make Your Own?
Liquid Gold, Made at Home!
💰"Love this IP Life!"
Saves a Fortune
Fraction of the cost
Pure Ingredients
Just beans and alcohol
Perfect Gift
Homemade with love
Make a year's supply in a single afternoon.
Store-bought vanilla is expensive, and imitation vanilla is full of artificial flavors. Homemade vanilla extract is made with real vanilla beans and alcohol. It lasts indefinitely (just keep topping it off with alcohol), and it makes a beautiful gift.
📦 Ingredients
🍦 For the Pure Vanilla Extract
- 🌿 Vanilla beans – Grade B (extract grade) is best for this
- 🥃 Vodka or Rum – 70-80 proof (35-40% alcohol). Use a good quality, unflavored alcohol.
The Ratio
- ⚖️ 1 oz vanilla beans per 1 cup (8 oz) of alcohol.
- For 11 (5 oz) bottles, you need about 55 oz of alcohol and about 7 oz of vanilla beans.
🫙 For the Bottles
- 🍶 11 (5 oz) glass bottles with tight-fitting lids
- 🏷️ Labels
💡 Pro tip: "Use Grade B vanilla beans. They are less pretty but have more moisture and flavor for extracting."
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Prep the Beans
- Split the vanilla beans lengthwise down the middle with a sharp knife.
- Scrape out the seeds, but keep them with the pods.
- Cut the pods in half so they fit inside your jars or bottles.
Step 2 – Add the Alcohol
- Place the split beans and seeds into your glass jars (or directly into the 5 oz bottles if they are wide enough).
- Pour the vodka or rum over the beans.
- Seal tightly.
⚠️ Important: "Do not use flavored vodka. You want pure vanilla flavor!"
Step 3 – The Instant Pot Method (IP Life!)
- Place the sealed jars on a trivet inside your Instant Pot.
- Add 2 cups of water to the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- Secure the lid and set the valve to sealing.
- Set to manual high pressure for 30 minutes.
- When the timer goes off, allow natural release for 15 minutes.
- Carefully open the lid. The pressure and heat have sped up the extraction process!
💡 Pro tip: "The Instant Pot method is fast, but you still need to let it rest. After the IP, let the bottles sit in a cool, dark place for at least 2-4 weeks to develop the deepest flavor."
Step 4 – Bottle and Store
- After resting, transfer the extract into your 5 oz glass bottles (if you used larger jars for the IP).
- Make sure each bottle gets at least one piece of vanilla bean pod.
- Label with the date and type of alcohol used.
- Store in a cool, dark place.
Step 5 – Top It Off
- As you use the vanilla, you can top the bottle off with a little more vodka or rum.
- It will keep extracting flavor from the bean! A good bottle of homemade extract can last for years.
🍽️ How to Use Your Vanilla Extract
- 🍪 Baking: Use in cookies, cakes, and brownies
- ☕ Coffee: Add a splash to your morning coffee
- 🥞 Pancakes: Elevate your breakfast batter
- 🍦 Ice Cream: Make homemade vanilla ice cream
- 🎁 Gift: Tie a ribbon around the bottle and give as a gift
💡 Pro tip: "Homemade vanilla extract makes a beautiful and practical gift for anyone who loves to bake."
💡 Pro Tips
- 🌿 Use Grade B beans: They are specifically meant for extraction.
- 🥃 Good alcohol matters: Use a vodka you wouldn't mind drinking.
- ⚖️ Use the right ratio: 1 oz of beans per cup of alcohol.
- 🕒 Patience is key: The IP speeds it up, but time makes it best.
- 🫙 Keep the bean in the bottle: It continues to flavor the extract over time.
- 🍶 Top it off: Keep adding alcohol as you use it.
💡 Pro tip: "11 5 oz bottles of pure vanilla extract complete. Love this IP Life!"
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Do I have to use an Instant Pot to make vanilla extract?
No, you can just let it sit in a cool, dark place for 6-12 months. The Instant Pot just speeds up the initial extraction process.
❓ What kind of alcohol is best?
Vodka is the most neutral and lets the vanilla shine. Rum gives it a slightly different, sweeter flavor profile.
❓ What are Grade B vanilla beans?
They are beans that are a bit drier and less visually perfect, but they have a higher concentration of vanillin, making them perfect for extracts.
❓ How long does homemade vanilla last?
It lasts indefinitely. As long as you keep it in a cool, dark place, it will never go bad.
❓ Can I use imitation vanilla instead?
No, imitation vanilla is a completely different product. This recipe is for pure extract.
❓ Why did my vanilla turn cloudy?
It might be due to the type of alcohol used or temperature changes. It's still safe to use.
❓ How many beans do I need?
For 11 5-oz bottles, you need about 7 oz of beans (roughly 50-60 beans) and 55 oz of alcohol.
❓ Should I strain out the beans?
No! Leave the beans in the bottles. They continue to add flavor over time.
❓ Can I use this for cooking?
Yes, it's perfect for all your baking and cooking needs.
❓ Is the Instant Pot method safe for glass jars?
Yes, as long as you use canning-safe glass jars (like Mason jars) and don't overfill them. Put them on a trivet so they aren't touching the bottom of the pot.
📄 Printable Recipe Card
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║ HOMEMADE PURE VANILLA EXTRACT ║
║ Love This IP Life! ║
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YIELD: 11 (5 oz) bottles | TIME: ~1 hr + resting time
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INGREDIENTS
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- Vanilla beans (Grade B is best)
- Vodka or Rum (70-80 proof)
RATIO: 1 oz vanilla beans per 1 cup (8 oz) of alcohol.
For 11 (5 oz) bottles: ~7 oz beans and ~55 oz alcohol.
EQUIPMENT:
- 11 (5 oz) glass bottles with tight lids
- Instant Pot
- Trivet
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INSTRUCTIONS
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1. Split vanilla beans lengthwise. Scrape out seeds
but keep them with the pods. Cut pods to fit jars.
2. Place beans and seeds in jars. Pour alcohol over them.
Seal tightly.
3. Instant Pot Method: Place jars on trivet in IP.
Add 2 cups water. Seal IP, set to high pressure
for 30 minutes. Natural release 15 minutes.
4. Let bottles rest in a cool, dark place for 2-4 weeks
to develop the deepest flavor.
5. Transfer to 5 oz bottles, making sure each gets
a piece of vanilla bean pod. Label with date.
6. Store in a cool, dark place.
7. As you use it, top off with more alcohol.
The beans will keep extracting flavor for years!
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"11 5 oz bottles of pure vanilla extract complete.
Love this IP Life!" 🍦🥃
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© CanningRebels — Homemade Pure Vanilla Extract
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