Wishing you a day filled with Flavor!
Well we all know that the holidays are going to be here in a blink of an eye and for many of us that means the baking is about to commence in the near future. I don’t know about you but I use tons of vanilla extract so I am preparing extra now so I am ready and yes…homemade vanilla extract is awesome and easy!
So today we are not only making vanilla but a bit of kicked up
peppermint extract too!
Once this brew ages for about 6 weeks…it is a simply amazing extract. You will never go back to even the highest grade extracts on the shelf!
I have kicked it up this time by using vanilla vodka but any good vodka will be perfect!
All you need is
A good vodka, beautiful vanilla beans and a sterilized jar.
Then simply slit the vanilla beans so all of the delicious goodness can seep out…
place your vanilla beans in your jar. I had to cut them in half to fit this jar…
Measure out 1 1/2 cups of vodka to 3 large vanilla beans and pour into the jar (1 bean to 1/2 cup of vodka)…screw tight and then just store it in a cool dark place…no no…just wanted to say that. Just let it sit in your closet of counter for about 6 weeks.
While you are at it…whip up a batch of peppermint extract!
Once again the ingredients are simple and few. A good vodka…some fresh mint…I like to kick mine up a notch with an addition of a good peppermint candy stick…yes…in the end it adds a little light pink hue to the extract instead of clear but it packs a big punch in the flavor department. It is totally your decision to add it or not…either way the extract if FABULOUS!
Remember to sterilize the jar...
time to bruise the peppermint…I used my mortar and pestal and released those aromatic oils…if you don’t have one…you can just lightly bruise with your hands…
simply place your mint (approximately 30 leaves), the candy cane (optional) in the jar and top with 1 1/2 cups of vodka. Let sit for 6 weeks! When it if finished…strain out the leaves.
In the end…
you will have an ingredient that will make those cookies…cakes…cupcakes…pies and more SHINE!!!
Make some extra for gifts…I will have some fun packaging ideas for these closer to the holidays…so start now and think about the bakers in your life…they would LOVE some of this!
EZ and FABULOUS…all you bakers out there…give it a try!
As long as you sterilize your jar…use a strong percentage alcohol…this will keep in a tightly closed jar for up to 2 years. The alcohol is the preservative.
(((((HUGS)))))
I had a question…do you have to strain the vanilla…the answer is no…just leave the beans in till the extract if done : ) great question my friend!!!
Ricki Jill Treleaven says
Thanks for posting, Andrea. I might try this! After six weeks do you strain both? (Or just the peppermint one…)
Jennifer says
That is sooo cool! I am going to try this!
Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer @ Decorated Chaos
Katherines Corner says
patience certainly is worth it with this delish project.Thank you for sharing my friend xo
koralee says
Oh MY this is soooooo cool my friend…I am going to give it a go!!!! I am a VANILLA girl..I just dump it into every recipe. xoxox
vintage grey says
These are so great!! Thanks for sharing! Will have to try them both! xo Heather
Moriah Washburn says
Can you use soft peppermint sticks or more like hard Candy Canes???
Andrea says
Hi there Moriah : ) How are you and thanks for dropping by today. You can use a softer candy or the hard candycane : ) I prefer the candy cane…but what happens is it melts. If you like a plain mint and not a real peppermint…you don’t have to use the candy at all and you can just go with the actual mint leaves : ) If you have any more questions…just let me know : ) hugs…