Vanilla Extract

Real vanilla extract is very expensive. All other kinds are usually sugar based and don't even have real vanilla in it. Vanilla extract is alcohol based therefore this recipe is as close as it gets (or the same) as the very expensive kind. It should be placed in a cool, dark place but if you are like me jut put it where you can see it. After 8 weeks it will be really dark and ready to use. As soon as the pods start sticking out of the vodka buy some more and just add to the extract. I have been using the dame bottle for close to a year now. When I found it wasn't getting as dark as I wanted anymore I just added a few more beans. It is important you buy real good quality vanilla beans and not the dried out supermarket beans.

Yield: 1 Liter

12   vanilla bean 33   ounces   vodka (1 liter bottle) 40%

1   Take a little bit of Vodka out of the bottle. 2 Cut the beans lengthwise and scrape out the seeds 3 Put both the seeds and pods in the bottle of vodka. 4 Poor the rest of the Vodka back in until the bottle is full and save the rest of the vodka to add again later. 5 Place the bottle in a cool, dark place for 6-8 weeks. Shake the bottle a few times a week.

Tips great to use in cakes, pancakes and other baked things but I also love it in my coffee.

Nutrition Facts Nutrition (entire recipe): 2161 calories, 0 calories from fat, 0g total fat, 0mg cholesterol, 9,4mg sodium, 9,4mg potassium, 0g carbohydrates, 0g fiber, 0g sugar, 0g protein, 0g net carbohydrates.