Home-Made Vanilla Extract

Servings: 6
Ingredients:

2    Whole vanilla beans
1 1/2 c  Vodka (the cheap-o stuff
-works just fine)
1/2 c  Water
1 c  Granulated sugar

Anyone interested in a recipe for home-made vanilla extract? It
makes a fun gift for Christmas, packaged in a small jar with ribbon
around neck, included recipe for same, a bag of brownie or cookie mix
which requires vanilla and a brownie pan. It IS alcohol-based.
Perhaps someone has another recipe for one that does not require
alcohol? Could this be one of those ‘chemistry’ things again? I
apologize for typing this in as I still haven’t made friends with my
software but folks who know how to doctor it to adapt to their recipe
pgm. will find it a tasty and CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP Holiday idea.
Better start it now, though! It takes about 7 weeks to ’steep’ it but
you can fudge a little on that timing, I’m sure.

VANILLA EXTRACT

In a 3 cup glass container with a tight fitting lid, combine vanilla
beans with the vodka. Cap and allow to ’steep’ at room temperature
for three weeks. Remove vanilla beans and strain liquid through a
cheesecloth, if necessary. In a medium saucepan, combine water and
sugar, stirring constantly, until it comes to a boil and sugar
dissolves. Remove from heat and cool. Stir into vodka that has been
strained. Pour mixture into a bottle; cap and allow to sit at room
temperature one month. Servings:2 cups vanilla extract