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Homemade Vanilla + Free Printable Labels

I promise I’m not turning this blog into a food blog, but I couldn’t resist sharing this super easy DIY gift that’s perfect for Christmas: Homemade Vanilla! Plus you get a super cute printable to go along with it 🙂 This stuff smells absolutely amazing and lasts a long time. I kept a bottle for myself and use it in all my baking.

Homemade Vanilla with a free printable label

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE VANILLA

This isn’t a new or revolutionary idea by any means. Homemade Vanilla recipes have been around for quite a while, and they’re all pretty much the same. What makes each one unique, however, is the type of vanilla bean you use. And of course this pretty label that you won’t find anywhere else.

I love the idea of giving homemade gifts for Christmas, but I’m not about to repurpose a piece of furniture for all my loved ones. Sorry guys. Ain’t nobody got time for that. Vanilla was a much easier choice.

supplies to make homemade vanilla

*this post contains affiliate links; you can read my full disclosure policy here*

Ingredients for Homemade Vanilla

Vodka (any vodka will do, but I wouldn’t recommend the super cheap stuff)
Vanilla Beans (5-6 per 8 oz. bottle)

 

Supplies for Homemade Vanilla

Bottles
Funnel
Sharp Knife

One thing to remember about making pure homemade vanilla extract, is that it takes time for the vodka to be fully infused before it’s ready to use. The recommended time is 2 months, but after a month, you can open your bottles and see how strong they smell. If you plan on making these as gifts, just make sure you let your friends and family know when you bottled them, and when the vanilla will be ready.

There are so many different types of beans you can use. I went with these Madagascar Bourbon beans, and they smell SO good.

vanilla beans for homemade vanilla extract

STEP 1

Cut your vanilla beans in half length wise. I found it easiest to cut the actual bean in half first, and then slice them down the middle. Make sure you have a good, sharp knife; it will make this step much easier. And watch your fingers!

making your own homemade vanilla extract

STEP 2

Place the beans in your bottle once they’re cut and fill up each bottle with vodka. Place the top back on and then shake lightly.

how to make homemade vanilla extract

STEP 3

Then cut out your pretty labels, glue them on and you’re done. Told ya it was easy! I printed my labels out on some pretty kraft colored cardstock and glued them on using super glue which held up great!

PRINT OUT THE LABEL HERE

homemade vanilla extract

homemade vanilla with pretty free label

Homemade pure vanilla extract tutorial with free printable label

I can’t wait to give these little guys away as gifts this year! You can also print out some of my free holiday gift tags to use to wrap them up!

UPDATE: My bottle of homemade vanilla extract lasted almost 3 years. I’m not a frequent baker but I do bake from time to time and I was surprised how long this lasted me!

Comments

  1. Hi There! I just stumbled upon your page as I just made vanilla and was looking for labels. I just love yours! I made a few different sizes and was wondering if I could get your label but without the “8” so I can add the number myself. thanks so much in advance 🙂

    Reply

  3. I’ll probably sound like an idiot for asking this, but does this recipe create a higher alcohol level than the store bought stuff?

    Reply

    • Not stupid at all! I’m actually not sure myself ha. I think it might be only because it literally only has vodka and vanilla beans whereas the store bought kind has some other ingredients.

      Reply

      • I get 10 Madagascar Vanilla Beans at Costco for $15.89, which seems to be about half of what they are charging on Amazon. The Costco beans are about 7 inches long. I live in VA, so the price may vary a bit by region, but it’s still got to be way better than $30!

        Reply

  5. Do you leave the vanilla bean in the bottle indefinitely? Does that mean that they could keep adding vodka as they used it? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Hi Doreene! You leave it in there indefinitely but I don’t think you could keep adding vodka because the beans probably wouldn’t be as potent after a while. This was my first time making it though so I’m not 100% sure 🙂

      Reply

      • Hi there, I’ve been making this for years. I occasionally add fresh vanilla beans, but I do leave all the originals ones in.

        Reply

  9. waouh Im so impressed ! I’m sure going to do this. What kind of paper do you use for the labels ? Thanks and hello from France !

    Reply

    • Thank you so much Lucie! I just printed them on some card stock and then super glued them to the bottles 🙂

      Reply

  13. Love this great gift idea! I have two questions – where did you find the cute little brown bottles – and what kind of glue did you use to glue the label to the bottle? 🎨 Laurel

    Reply

    • Hi Laurel! The brown bottles are from amazon, there is a link in the post to them 🙂 And I just used super glue to attach the labels!

      Reply

  14. Bre, this is absolutely gorgeous! I love how old school apothecary it looks. I’ve always meant to make vanilla but have never done so. I have a giant bottle right now but as soon as it’s done i’ll have to give it a go

    Reply

      • Hello! Any chance you would be willing to share an editable version of the beautiful you created? My bottles are only 4 oz.. Thanks so much!

        Reply

          • Thanks so much!!!! Our bottles are 4 ounces, so that’s what I need to print. I am happy to make the change and send it back to you for posting. Just lmk. Thanks!!!!!

          • Hi Bre!! I love your labels but do you by chance have 5 oz labels? If not could you tell me how to change it so I can use them! Thank you so much!!

          • Thanks Liz! Do you want the label size to be smaller as well, or just want the 8 oz. text to be changed to 5 oz.?

          • If you could resize the picture that would be great! But if not I am sure it will still work! 🙂 thank you so much!!

          • Looking for labels and came across your site. Beautiful! I too am using the 4 ounce bottles and wonder if you would resize the labels for me. Thanks so much for sharing your talents! Molly

Trackbacks

  3. […] Bre Purposed explains how easy it is to make homemade vanilla. They even included a label so this might be the easiest project ever. Almost everyone uses vanilla so it makes it a thoughtful gift. Give the gift of amazing vanilla. […]

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