Last year, my friend and kirtsy partner Laurie, told me all about how she made vanilla extract as gifts for friends and neighbors. I thought: brilliant! and quickly made a note to try it out in 2008. Then. I got an email from Laura yesterday, (she’s another friend and kirtsy partner). Turns out she spent Saturday night with her lady friends making vanilla extract, vanilla sugar and vanilla almonds. Delish. Not only that, she also emailed full photo instructions, including sources. Score!
Which is a sign of course: I am meant to make vanilla-y things this year. And I’ll share the instructions here. In case you’d like to join me. I should note. Laura was quick to point out that the mastermind behind this project is Lisa of Laundry Tree. Thank you Lisa! And now, notes and recipes in Lisa’s words:
Vanilla Extract Recipe
We found great recipes at both Instructables and Andrea’s Recipes. Some recipes call for Everclear. We used Svedka and Smirnoff vodkas.
16-ounce jar or bottle with tight-fitting lid
16 ounces vodka, top-shelf brands not required
6 vanilla beans
Cut the six vanilla beans in half lengthwise, leaving about 1 inch connected at one end. Put the beans into the jar and pour in the 16 ounces of vodka. Cover tightly and store in a cool, dark place for about 8 weeks. Give it a gentle shake about once a week.
Vanilla Sugar Recipe
From Food Network. We used spent beans from making vanilla. Dry them a couple of days before adding them to the sugar.
1 vanilla bean, whole or scraped
2 cups granulated sugar
If vanilla bean is whole, slice down side of bean with back of knife and scrape seeds into airtight container with the sugar. Bury bean in sugar and seal tightly with lid. Let sit for 1 to 2 weeks. Use as you would regular, granulated sugar.
Spiced Nuts Recipe
From Cooks.com. We substituted vanilla for water. Also, we recommend only 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice — 1 tbsp. is too much).
1 egg white, slightly beaten
1 tsp. water
4 c. mixed nuts (or all pecans)
1 c. sugar
1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
Combine egg white and water, add nuts and toss to coat. Combine sugar, pumpkin spice. Toss in mixture. Place in single layer on slightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove and cool on wax paper and break up large clusters.
Design Mom Note: It seems to me, that any one of these items — the sugar, the vanilla, the almonds — would make a lovely singular gift. But in Houston, it’s genetically impossible not to be over-the-top generous. So these ladies packaged up all 3 items in one bag — and threw in some homemade lip balm for good measure. (I’m exhausted just typing it.) To my friends and neighbors, if I manage to get some vanilla made, please don’t be offended if it’s vanilla and vanilla only. : )
Edit: It gets even better! Lisa just sent me the pdf links where you can download the beautiful labels she designed. Is she the bestest friend ever or what?!:
Vanilla Extract Label
Almond Label
Sugar Label
Links to Other Sources
Vanilla beans
Amber bottles
Gusseted poly bags (outer)
Reclosable bags (inner)
Brown satin ribbon (outer):
Pink ribbon from Hobby Lobby
Labels
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This is great! I have wanted to make vanilla for several years but have never known where to find the bottles. Thanks for the links!
This is a great idea, but made with everclear it tastes terrible, I’d use lower proof vodka.
Thanks for the great ideas!
This is such a cute idea. Can you see if she will post a template for all those cute labels?
Thanks!
This is on your list for 2008 and mine for 2009. Besides great gifts, making your own extract saves money!
The links provided are awesome too. The website where the bottles came from kills me. So many ideas come to mind when cruising around that site.
I've made my own vanilla extract this way for about five years (Barefoot Contessa was my how-to source.) I've used both Madagascar & Mexican beans (both from Penzey's). It's wonderful with vodka. Someday I'm going to try to make it with rum. . .it's supposed to work just as well.
When I've used "spent" beans from the extract to make vanilla sugar, the sugar sometimes hardens. When you break it up, it looks like beautiful snow crystals.
oh, i desperately want to try this now!
Oh, how I wish I were on their gift list!
Kate, your wish is my command. Lisa just sent links for pdf downloads of each label. I edited the post with the links.
So great!
What a great gift idea! I just heard on the news this morning that we should expect a vanilla shortage because 80% of the crops in Madagascar are being killed by a fungus (seriously I did hear this just this morning) so this news makes this even a better gift!
I did homemade vanilla one year for gifts, too and it was a big hit. Thanks for stealing my post for later this week! ;)
This was such a fun project! It started out as a teacher gift for my kiddo, but when I bought far too many vanilla beans, I begged Laura and Adrienne to get in on the action, too. It ended up being a fabulous day — getting together with these fabulous women, listening to Christmas music, and turning the kitchen into Santa’s Workshop. And when it was over, we each had a bag of beautiful, finished gifts. I highly recommend the experience — with vanilla or ANYthing else!
This is an unusual gift idea and I’m thankful you have recipes and links ‘cuz I’m not sure I could pull it off with out it! It’s helpful that the smell of vanilla is wonderful. After working with chocolate one year, I swore off candy for..let’s see…1 month.
*dies* from the genius of it all….
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve been wondering what to do for my neighbors!!!!
Wow, what a FABULOUS post! So much DIY goodness! I’ll be linking.
Ok so now I have to get goodies for vanilla extract….thanks so much for the receipes & links!!!
this sounds like a fabulous gift isdea but i am wondering…is there no way to make vanilla extract without alcohol?
that is so generous of her to share the recipes and the labels… what a beautiful gift!
This is really lovely!!! I will try to emulate it during next year.
I am curious about where did they find those nice bottles… I live in Spain and honestly wouldn’t know where to get them, any online resource you know would have them?
this is lovely! i am totally going to do this – just one (possibly stupid?) question. the recipe mentions 16 oz. bottles, but the labels say 8 oz. did they create it in larger batches and pour it into the smaller bottles?
OH this is wonderful! I'm linking this for future reference! Great idea!
-Sarah from Create Studio
http://www.createstudio.blogspot.com
This is really neat, my grandmother has made this for years. Another thing she makes it in is antique liqour bottles that are from the old crystal sets. Also she makes lemon sugar by mixing sugar and lemon zest in a jar, very pretty and fragrant gifts! Love your Site.
Just thought I’d let you know that even though your post is a couple years old, it’s still being referenced! I made all three of your ideas and then saw the comment about lemon sugar so am trying that out as well. Everything has turned out perfectly and I love that there were labels that I could print! My family/friends are going to be excited about this year’s homemade gifts! I’ll link to your post from my blog once I’ve given the gifts!