I need a recipe for vanilla extract. I can get vanilla beans, but cannot find extract up to my standards. Can I make it?
ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: There are some recipes on the web (just google for “vanilla extract recipe”) that involve soaking the cut bean pods in vodka or brandy for anywhere from 3 days to 1 year! Longer seems to be good. Maybe with occasional shaking. Federal regulations require a minimum of 35% alcohol in commercial vanilla extract. I would think that vodka is better, since it wouldn’t add the extra flavors that brandy would. Or, perhaps watered down everclear. Sugar is often added, although it seems this is up to personal taste and it should somewhat be naturally sweet.